Integral Care received $1,000,000 from SAMHSA to continue its Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Grant Program for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness for the fourth year. The AOT Program helps to bridge the gap between inpatient and outpatient mental health services, improve treatment outcomes and reduce incidence of inpatient psychiatric bed stays and reduce criminal justice involvement. The Austin AOT program uses evidence-based intervention designed to promote treatment adherence and empower client engagement in managing their care. The population served through this funding are adult clients in Travis County who persistently struggle with adherence to needed treatment for their mental illness and meet criteria for AOT under Texas state law. 

The program partners with Travis County Probate Court, Travis County Clerk’s Office and Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin to establish a framework for identification, referral and the care and treatment of clients living with serious mental illness. Other community partners include NAMI Central Texas, Austin State Hospital and Travis County Sheriff’s Office. All client treatment plans employ a recovery-oriented approach and utilize motivational interviewing strategies, psychiatric advanced directives, and collaborative, individually tailored plans.