The New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) is seeking Letters of Interest to increase delivery of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) as an alternative to incarceration (ATI). The goal of this ACT team is to expand capacity of ACT services with a focus on keeping people out of jail and prison by engaging them in effective services and helping them achieve success in the community.

ACT is an evidenced-based practice that offers treatment, rehabilitation, and community integration services to individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) using a person-centered, recovery-based approach to care. Services are provided by a mobile, multi-disciplinary team in community settings. The goal of ACT services is to assist individuals in achieving their meaningful goals and life roles. As an ATI, the ACT team will support recovery, reduce utilization of inpatient services and criminal recidivism, and promote community safety and public health.

The ACT team will serve adults with SMI facing incarceration as the result of felony arrest. Individuals must have a demonstrated history of noncompliance with traditional mental health treatment services and have high use of acute psychiatric hospitals.

NYS OMH is seeking one (1) agency to implement an ATI ACT team in the Bronx. Key features of this ACT team include:

• Fidelity to the ACT model and ACT Program Guidelines, however, with additional staffing and differing referral source:
  • Two (2) Peer Specialists, one (1) Housing Specialist, two (2) Criminal Justice Specialists, and two (2) intake clinicians.
  • Referrals will not go through the Single Point of Access (SPOA), but instead are direct referrals from the Court and District Attorney.
• Immediate services to support the transition from jail to the community
• Comprehensive clinical assessment and treatment planning
• Nursing services to support management of psychiatric medication
• Specialist services including family, housing, substance use, and employment services
• Crisis intervention
• Peer advocacy services
• Ongoing individual and group services
• Ongoing advocacy and support with managing requirements related to involvement in the criminal legal system

Eligible Agencies:

• Not-for-profit agencies with a 501(c) (3) incorporation that have experience providing mental health services to persons with SMI
• Currently operate a NYS OMH licensed ACT team in good standing with the state
• Capacity to recruit, provide training and supervision of staff with extensive expertise in advocacy and support of individuals with involvement in the criminal legal system and address risk factors associated with arrest and recidivism
• Ability to utilize or establish relationships with targeted audiences, the criminal legal system and a wide array of community providers and other organizations that serve individuals with involvement in the criminal legal system
• Experience with providing ATI services in New York City

Please send your Letter of Interest to Jeremy Rossello (OMH) Jeremy.Rossello@omh.ny.gov , indicating “Alternative To Incarceration ACT” in the subject line. Letters of Interest are due by September 8th, 2023 at 4 pm.

Please note this is solely a Solicitation of Interest and does not guarantee an award or contract.