Why Refer to NYAP’s ACT Program
ILLINOIS ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based, high-fidelity model of intensive, community-held behavioral health care for individuals living with significant mental health needs, often with co-occurring substance use disorders. Services are designed for those experiencing frequent crises, hospitalizations, or who haven’t achieved stability through traditional outpatient care.
Service Components
ACT is individualized, flexible, and delivered at a high level of intensity based on clinical need. Core services are delivered by a case manager, social worker, nurse, psychiatrist, and recovery and peer support specialists, including:
24/7 crisis response and stabilization
Psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and monitoring
Integrated mental health and substance use treatment
Independent living skill development
Care coordination and linkage to housing, transportation, healthcare, employment, and benefits, as needed
Ongoing outreach and engagement
Who We Serve
ACT supports individuals who require intensive, ongoing support to remain stable in their community, including those who may have:
Significant mental health needs with or without co-occurring substance use
Frequent psychiatric hospitalizations or crisis service utilization
Difficulty engaging in traditional outpatient services
Housing instability or homelessness
Justice system involvement or elevated risk of involvement
Program Goals and Outcomes
ACT is designed to:
Reduce psychiatric hospitalizations and crisis service utilization
Decrease frequency and severity of symptoms and crises
Improve housing stability
Support medication adherence and treatment engagement
Increase engagement in recovery-oriented services
Strengthen daily living skills and functional independence
Support personalized, recovery-oriented goals
Outcomes are individualized and defined in partnership with each person served, with an emphasis on functional improvement, stability, and quality of life.
MODEL DISTINCTIVES
ACT differs from traditional outpatient services in the following ways:
Community-based delivery - Services provided in natural environments to improve access, engagement, and generalization of skills
Team-based care - Shared responsibility across a multidisciplinary team for continuity and coordination
High-intensity, flexible support - 24/7 availability with responsiveness to changing clinical needs
Person-centered planning - Goals driven by individual strengths, preferences, and recovery priorities
Sustained engagement - Services provided as clinically indicated to support long-term stability
WHY REFER TO NYAP
NYAP’s ACT program offers a strengths-based, intensive community-held alternative to higher levels of care for individuals living with complex mental health needs. Referrals support reduced hospitalization and crisis service utilization while improving individual and community stability and functioning.
Providers can expect:
Rapid engagement for high-need individuals
24/7 crisis response and coordinated team-based care
Integrated psychiatric, mental health, and substance use services
Strong linkage to housing and community resources
Ongoing collaboration with referral partners
