Alachua
County FACT Program
2002 NW 13th St., Suite 220
Gainesville, FL 32609
Phone: 352-271-8605
Fax: 352-271-8608
Program Email – psffact3@ps-corp.net
Program Manager Sharon Fields
Email: sfields@ps-corp.net
Overview
The Florida Assertive Community Treatment (FACT)
Program uses a multidisciplinary team approach
to provide intensive, community-based treatment,
rehabilitation, and support services for persons
with severe and persistent psychiatric disabilities.
Persons targeted for participation are hard-to-reach
and not adequately served in the traditional
service system. They are at high risk of repeated
psychiatric hospital admissions, prolonged hospitalization,
or repeated crisis stabilization unit use. Florida’s
FACT initiative is intended to replicate the
Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT),
a nationally acclaimed, evidence-based program
model. FACT services are provided continuously
over a period of years with the intensity of
service tailored to the individual’s need.
Nearly all behavioral health services are provided
directly by the team, which takes responsibility
for managing access to any more specialized
behavioral health services and to all health
and social services. Most contacts (at least
75%) occur outside of the FACT office. The FACT
team has the capacity to serve up to 100 persons.
Objective
Florida Assertive Community Treatment is designed
to promote psychiatric and physical health,
independent living, supportive relationships,
and full citizenship for the persons it serves.
Goals include diminishing the debilitating symptoms
of mental illness; preventing or minimizing
recurrent acute episodes of illness; meeting
basic needs and enhancing the quality of life;
improving functioning in social and employment
roles and activities; increasing community tenure;
and improving social relationships with family
members and friends.
Population
Served
The FACT program serves persons 18 years of
age and older. Priority for admission is given
to
persons with schizophrenia-related and other
mental illness (although persons with severe
disability associated with other psychiatric
disorders are also eligible); persons with severe
impairments in ability to perform the practical
tasks required of independent living; and persons
who are residing in state hospitals or other
long-term care facilities, are homeless, or
have recurrent admissions to psychiatric stabilization
programs.
Other
Admission Criteria
All referrals to the FACT team must be approved
by the Department of Children and Families.
Fifty percent of persons admitted must be discharged
from a state hospital; sixty percent of persons
admitted must be eligible for Medicaid.
Fees
& Charges
Florida Assertive Community Treatment charges
no fees for the services provided. Funding for
services is provided by the Department of Children
and Families and the Agency for Health Care
Administration.
Services
in Detail
· Continuous, comprehensive assessments
· Continuous, comprehensive treatment
planning
· Crisis assessment and intervention
· Symptom assessment, management and
supportive therapy
· Collaborative medication management
to minimize side effects and maximize symptom
relief
· Financial assistance for medications
to persons lacking health insurance coverage
· Substance abuse treatment
· Supported employment services
· Training and support in activities
of daily living
· Training and support in social relationships
and leisure time activities
· Case management services
· Assistance in maintaining independent
living arrangements that are safe, decent, and
affordable, including limited financial assistance
to all persons in need
· Education, support, and consultation
to families
· Other supportive and person-specific
services
Hours
of Operation
Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday/Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Emergency services: 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year
