Youth Assertive Community Treatment
The Youth Assertive Community Treatment Program (Youth ACT) is designed to address the significant psychiatric needs of youth at risk of entering or returning home from high intensity services. The purpose is to support children with complex mental health needs and their families so they may remain in their homes and communities, assist children in achieving success in their educational and vocational endeavors, and assist children to foster positive relationships amongst friends and family. A multi-disciplinary team utilizes evidence-based intensive interventions to adequately support the child and family’s complex needs. The program delivers highly intensive, coordinate, individualized services and skilled therapeutic interventions. Youth ACT participants will receive services in his/her home or other community-based setting.
Services Include
- Case Management
- Child and Family Services Planning
- Individual, Group, and/or Family Counseling Therapy
- Family Psychoeducation
- Crisis Intervention Services
- Peer Services
- Medication Management
- Health Services
- Vocational and Education Services
Eligibility Criteria
- Youth between 10 to 21 years of age with a determination of Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED)
- Onondaga County Resident
- Continuous high service needs not met in traditional settings demonstrated by two or more of the following:
- Child and/or family has not adequately engaged or responded to treatment in more traditional settings
- High use of acute psychiatric hospitals
- High use of psychiatric emergency or crisis services
- Experiencing persistent severe major symptoms (i.e., affective, psychotic, suicidal or significant impulse control issues)
- Clinically assessed to be at immediate risk of requiring more restrictive living situation without intensive community services
- Home environment/community is unable to provide necessary support for developmentally appropriate growth required to adequately address mental health needs
Hours of Operation
Services are provided Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. On-call services are available 24//7.
Questions and Referrals
To apply for ACT services, also refer to Onondaga County’s Single Point of Access (SPOA) here or 315-435-3355.