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Six-Month Outcomes of an Integrated Assertive Community Treatment Team Serving Adults with Complex Behavioral Health and Housing Needs

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Abstract

Assertive community treatment (ACT) and integrated dual disorders treatment (IDDT) have individually proven effective for treatment of adults with complex behavioral health and housing needs. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an ACT team that delivered integrated care consistent with IDDT principles. Participants included 60 adults with a history of chronic homelessness and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Measures assessing mental health, substance use, and residential stability were completed at intake to the program and then 6 months later. Participants reported statistically significant improvements in mental health symptomatology and residential stability over time, although there were no changes in substance use. Findings support the effectiveness of the intervention for improving mental health and housing stability among adults with complex behavioral health and housing needs. Fidelity data support the notion that multiple evidence-based interventions can be integrated while still maintaining adequate fidelity to individual components.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grant Number T118019. We would like to thank the staff at Coastal Behavioral Healthcare for their assistance throughout this project. The views and opinions expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the funding institution.

Conflict of interest

The authors report no financial relationships with commercial interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, MHC 2603, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    M. Scott Young, Blake Barrett, Mark A. Engelhardt & Kathleen A. Moore

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  1. M. Scott Young
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  2. Blake Barrett
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  3. Mark A. Engelhardt
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  4. Kathleen A. Moore
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Correspondence to M. Scott Young.

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Young, M.S., Barrett, B., Engelhardt, M.A. et al. Six-Month Outcomes of an Integrated Assertive Community Treatment Team Serving Adults with Complex Behavioral Health and Housing Needs. Community Ment Health J 50, 474–479 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9692-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9692-5

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