ACT teams are small multidisciplinary teams (10-12 persons, plus staff) with low staff-to-client ratios (often 1:8 to 10) that provide community-based interventions. They provide rapid and intensive responses with flexible, all inclusive care 7 days a week. They also have long-term and full clinical responsibility for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who would otherwise be in the hospital.
ACT is often a program of last resort—the alternative is frequent or permanent hospitalization.
ACT care produces better outcomes than case management for those who are seriously, mentally ill.
ACT teams are cost-effective; they keep clients out of hospital and because the in-house concentration of multidisciplinary services provides smooth and efficient continuity of care and recovery.
