Assisted Outpatient Treatment

Goals

The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program aims to facilitate recovery for individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders by offering intensive outpatient treatment. The program focuses on preventing mental health crises, reducing recidivism, and supporting a step-down model as individuals improve.

Objectives

Deliver trauma-informed, recovery-oriented services that prioritize client autonomy and engagement.
Enhance stability and promote optimal functioning within community settings.
Foster self-determination and integrate clients into the community at an appropriate level of care.
Cultivate client recovery by leveraging culturally responsive methods and improving service linkages.
Minimize hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and legal system interactions by providing consistent and comprehensive support for mental health conditions.

Quarterly Data Dashboard

What is AOT?

The AOT program supports individuals with a history of severe and chronic mental health concerns, history of repeated hospitalizations and/or incarcerations related to untreated or undertreated mental illness, and/or a history of violent behaviors to self or others. The AOT law is codified in the Welfare and Institution Code (WIC) Section 5346.

Who is eligible for the AOT program?

An individual who meets the following criteria is qualified for the AOT program.

1. 18 years of age or older.

2. Suffering from a mental illness (WIC 5600.3 (b)(2) and (3)).

3. Clinical determination that the person is unlikely to survive safely in the

community without supervision and the person's condition is

substantially deteriorating.

4. In need of AOT to prevent a relapse or deterioration that would be

likely to result in grave disability or serious harm to self or others.

5. History of lack of compliance with treatment for his or her mental

illness, in that at least one of the following is true:

a. The person's mental illness has, at least twice within the last 36

months, been a substantial factor in necessitating hospitalization or

receipt of services in a forensic or other mental health unit of a state

correctional facility or local correctional facility, not including any

period during which the person was hospitalized or incarcerated

immediately preceding the filing of the petition; or

b. The person's mental illness has resulted in one or more acts of

serious and violent behavior toward self or another within the last

48 months not including any period during which the person was

hospitalized or incarcerated immediately preceding the filing of

the petition.

6. Been offered an opportunity to participate in treatment and continues

to fail to engage in treatment.

7. Participation in AOT would be the least restrictive placement needed to

ensure the person's recovery and stability.

8. Likely to benefit from AOT.

Who can submit an AOT referral?

The following individuals can submit an AOT referral:

A person 18 years of age or older with whom the person is subject of the petition resides.
A person who is the parent, spouse, or sibling or child 18 years of age or older of the person who is subject of the petition.
Director of a treating facility where the individual resides.
Director of a hospital where the person is hospitalized.
Treating or supervising mental health provider.
Probation, parole, or peace officer.
Judge/Court.

How do I submit an AOT referral?

There are multiple ways to submit an AOT referral:

Download the referral form, fill in the required fields, and save the document. Once done, submit it via email at DHS-MH-AOT@saccounty.gov.
Call the AOT team at 916-875-6508 to assist you in completing the referral form.