Celebrating 1 year of Assertive Community Treatment in Howard County

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2024

4C Health expanded Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) to Howard County in early 2023. Assertive Community Treatment is an evidence-based intensive community treatment for adults diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness. Research on ACT demonstrates that it reduces the need for psychiatric hospitalization, enhances housing stability, and improves basic quality of life for those experiencing the most severe psychiatric symptoms.

Nicole Hiatt-Drang, Chief Clinical Officer, had this to say “For consumers, being involved in ACT means receiving person-centered care that is holistic and tailored to the unique needs of every individual. Individuals gain a sense of ownership in their treatment, support in their journey, enhanced social support and engagement, and ultimately improved mental and physical health outcomes. Our ACT team is growing in Howard County and we are excited to continue to meet the diverse needs of consumers and the community.”

Kayla Ewing, Assistant Director of Adult Intensive Services, “Our ACT program continues to strive in Howard County due to the specific needs of the community, including homelessness, addiction concerns, barriers to treatment, and the ongoing need for mental health services. It has been exciting to see the growth of this program and the way it is benefitting Howard County residents. Individuals are receiving intensive services and individualized treatment to assist them in meeting their needs and achieving goals. On our one-year anniversary, we are excited about the changes made, challenges conquered, and the impact yet to come.”

4C Health began providing Assertive Community Treatment in Cass County several decades ago when initiatives existed in the State of Indiana to fund such intensive team treatment. When that funding dissipated, 4C Health was able to continue the model in Cass County and subsequently grow into multiple surrounding counties. The approach has small caseloads for providers to ensure high quality, high intensity wraparound services.

This level of care is a much needed resource in communities. Adults diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness experience profound health disparities including premature death up to 25 years earlier than their same age peers, homelessness, repetitive interactions with law enforcement, employment instability, and social alienation, to name a few.

“It has been amazing to see our continued reach and expansion to meet mental health needs for Howard County. What started as an idea for a clinic in 2015 has morphed into a full continuum of care including outpatient therapy, psychiatric medication management, substance use disorder care, comprehensive school and community-based services, 24/7/365 mobile crisis unit care, supportive services at Sargent Place, and now the 1 year anniversary of ACT teams. Annually, we are providing over 53,000 mental health and substance use services to Howard county residents. We will not stop there and have more plans over the next year for Howard County.”