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Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Training Institute
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The ACT Training Institute was established in 1997 and is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health. The goal of the Institute is to improve the provision of ACT services in Illinois through a multifaceted approach, which includes:
- New Provider Training, "Getting in on the
ACT"
- Intermediate
Level Training
- Monthly Teleconference Forums with ACT Team Leaders
- Weekly Electronic Newsletter for Subscribed Teams
- Quarterly Educational Pamphlets
The ACT Institute uses distance learning methods, with an emphasis on statewide videoconferencing. The training format is designed to increase accessibility and frequency of continuing education programs, while minimizing burden for agencies with small teams and those located in areas necessitating long travel times. Currently, ACT training participants are able to register and travel to the nearest state psychiatric hospital to receive live, interactive videoconference training presented by national, state, and local experts.
"Getting in on the ACT" offers
entry-level ACT providers the basic skills, experiences,
and knowledge needed to effectively administer
this type of mental health service. Ideally,
all state-funded ACT providers participate in
this training within 3-4 months of beginning
work. The training is a full day (9am to 4pm)
session offered three times annually via videoconferencing
to new service providers who have recently been
hired onto ACT teams. The new provider training
includes core areas of ACT service provision
determined to be the most critical for entry-level
staff. Specific topical presentations that comprise
the standardized one-day training curriculum
include the following:
- Introduction to and overview of the ACT model
- Understanding the total team approach to effective ACT service provision
- Building positive and supportive working relationships with people with psychiatric disabilities
- Basic psychopharmacology
- Safety risk management in community-based treatment
Intermediate training is offered three times annually via videoconferencing to more experience ACT staff members and team leaders. Topical areas are selected based on their relevance and applicability to staff requiring advanced-level continuing education. Sessions are half-day in length and have addressed the following topics:
- Fostering self-determination, recovery, and thriving in ACT services
- Treatment strategies to address challenging service delivery issues (e.g., substance use disorder, criminal justice involvement, multiple diagnoses, etc.)
- Effective treatment planning to increase quality of life for people with psychiatric disabilities while meeting regulatory requirements
- Team building and effective supervision of teams
- Employment and income supports for people with psychiatric disabilities
- Ethics and boundaries
- Interfacing with other systems of care
This free teleconference brings together ACT team leaders from across Illinois for an interactive learning experience. The call provides a forum to address a variety of issues and concerns faced by ACT teams and programs in today's climate. Each teleconference highlights a specific topical area, with team leaders bringing any and all questions about the topic to the call for discussion. They are co-facilitated by individuals with expertise in the topical area. Teleconference topics include: starting up new ACT teams; hiring individuals with psychiatric disabilities as team members; maintaining effective ACT teams over the long-haul; recovery-oriented treatment planning; strategies for meaningful supervision; and the dual roles of ACT team leaders (supervisor and service provider).
This free electronic newsletter is sent to subscribed teams each Friday. Its ongoing columns include: "What's New, What's Useful" featuring new information or upcoming events in the state; "Random ACTs of Knowledge," featuring updates on ACT services, research, mental health issues, and so forth; and "Med and Health Check-Up," featuring needed information about psychotropic medications, other medications, side effects, and maintaining general physical health. It is limited to 1-2 pages in length to respect the need of teams leaders and providers to receive useful information in a brief format.
These educational pamphlets provide clinical and rehabilitation information to ACT providers and clients to facilitate recovery and community integration. Pamphlets address topics such as: 10 Steps to Recovery; Self-Care among Mental Health Providers; 30 Tips to Avoid Hospitalization (developed by people with psychiatric disabilities); and Strategies for Medication Adherence (based on client choice to take medication).
ACT Institute Staff
Judith A. Cook, Ph.D.
ACT Institute Director
Carol Petersen, M.Ed.
ACT Institute Training Coordinator
Jessica A. Jonikas, M.A.
ACT Institute Program Manager
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