1. (a) Assertive community treatment (ACT) services shall be provided to individuals with serious mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse diagnoses who:

   1. (1) may have a pattern of frequent use of crisis services, repeated hospitalizations or incarceration;
   2. (2) may have failed to remain engaged in or to respond to conventional services; or

   3. (3) have been determined to have unusual needs.

      Such individuals require intervention by an Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) in order to provide ongoing assertive treatment and services that are made available outside clinic settings in order to address their treatment needs effectively.

2. (b) The Assertive Community Treatment Team provides a service by an interdisciplinary team that ensures service availability 24 hours a day and is prepared to carry out a full range of treatment functions wherever and whenever needed. The objectives of the service include:

   1. (1) preventing or reducing symptoms or behaviors that may result in the need for recurrent use of inpatient services or incarceration; and
   2. (2) increasing the skills and behaviors that enhance the individual's ability to remain in the community.

History Note: Authority G.S. 143B-147;
Eff. May 1, 1996;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. July 20, 2019.