Sweetser News & Events

Community Treatment Models are Reducing the Need for Out-of-Home Placement

Posted on 10/18/2005 at 08:47 am

A new treatment program based in Lewiston is reducing the need for hospitalization for children and families who are facing a severe mental health issue. Launched by Sweetser in May of this year, the Children's Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team provides 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week treatment using a team of healthcare professionals that includes a child psychiatrist, a nurse and licensed mental health counselors.

"The goal of our program is to keep children with their families, decreasing the disruption that occurs when kids are taken out of their homes and placed in hospital settings," said Heidi Connelly, clinical supervisor for Sweetser's Children's ACT team. "Our clients receive the same multi-disciplinary, around the clock staffing that they'd receive in a psychiatric hospital unit, but in their home and community."

While the Children's ACT model is relatively new to Maine, it is considered best practice by mental health advocacy groups including the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

Studies have shown that recipients of ACT services have far better outcomes than those who receive other treatments. Results include a reduction in costly hospitalization, a reduction in symptoms and increased time spent in the community, reducing the burden on families.

Sweetser's Children's ACT program treats children up to the age of 20 with a diagnosed mental illness who have not had success with other treatment methods. They may be at risk of suicide, be overly aggressive or have a history of physical or emotional abuse, including witnessing it happen to others.

"This program is effective because it works with the entire family system, giving caregivers - whether parents, grandparents or guardians - the tools they need to increase their own skills and support the treatment," said Connelly.

"What's unique about the ACT form of treatment is that it uses a team approach," said Ron Taglienti, director of child and family community services for Sweetser. "This means that the treatment team works collaboratively, meeting daily to review treatment plans. Everybody is on the same page, and the family receives a uniform treatment plan."

"The ACT model also includes a child psychiatrist as a member of the treatment team. We have a severe shortage of child psychiatrists in the state of Maine and it's not uncommon for a family seeking treatment to wait months to see a doctor," said Taglienti. "With the Children's ACT team, the child psychiatrist has regular contact with the family."

Sweetser's Children's ACT team is based in Lewiston and serves Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties. For more information, call 333-6010.

With a history dating back to 1828, Sweetser is Maine's most comprehensive behavioral and mental health care organization dedicated to serving children, adults and families. Sweetser offers services that address emotional disturbances, mental illness, behavioral disorders and learning disabilities through an array of educational programs, preventive services, community-support services and residential homes.

Additional Resources:
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Maine Chapter
622-5767

New York State Office of Mental Health - Evidence Based Practices

Fact sheet by the National Alliance for Mentally Ill about ACT teams

Article by the National Alliance for Mentally Ill website regarding adapting the ACT model for use with children.

Contact: Heather Chandler, Assistant Director of Communications, 294-4430