Utah Admin. Code R523-22-4 - General Provisions and Minimum Standards of Care

(1) An ACT team must adhere to fidelity as outlined in Section R523-22-5. The ACT team approach is based on treatment, rehabilitation and support.

(2) An ACT team will administer direct services as follows:

(a) Services will promote a sense of hope, and include a full range of clinical treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation, and community support services designed to promote recovery by improving psychiatric symptoms, preventing relapse, teaching skills, providing direct assistance, and securing community resources necessary for successful functioning in the community;

(b) Assertive outreach will be provided in the home, community, or wherever necessary to deliver services;

(c) Frequent contacts are associated with better outcomes for clients, therefore, clients shall receive as much service time, and as many contacts as needed adhering to the following:

(i) scheduled contacts will be purposeful, and designed to carry out interventions in the service plan, or to address critical needs; and

(ii) the number of contacts, and length of time spent with a client will vary on a day to day basis, based on the client's need and circumstances;

(d) Engaging and retaining clients in treatment is a high priority; therefore, clients will be engaged using a range of outreach strategies tailored to individual needs and preferences. Clients will receive a full explanation of the array of available services. Client choice regarding participation in services will be taken into account when developing intervention strategies;

(e) Services will be continuously measured to ensure that individualized outcomes in the service plan are achieved;

(f) An ACT team will broaden or refine evidence-based services that are consistent with current research, when appropriate;

(g) Services will be available 7 days per week, 24 hours per day. This requirement may be accomplished by providing split staff assignment schedules to achieve needed coverage;

(h) The primary responsibility of crisis response encompasses first contact for all crises, including after-hours crisis calls for clients. A continuous, and direct after-hours on-call system will be provided with staff that are experienced in the ACT program, and skilled in crisis intervention procedures; and

(i) Crisis response services will be rapid for any emergency, and may be provided both in person and by telephone. This requirement may be accomplished through the use of telehealth, but only with approval from the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (division).

(3) An ACT team will administer integrated services as follows:

(a) Provide service through a multi-disciplinary team approach including all roles as defined through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA);

(b) Understanding, developing and working with each client's support system is an important part of treatment and recovery support that furthers integration into the community. Service provision will include persistent attempts to engage with the client's family and support network including formal and informal supports, and include them in the treatment and rehabilitative process with the client's consent. All staff must understand and adhere to confidentiality, HIPAA, 42 CFR part 2, client rights and informed choice as well as providing culturally responsive care;

(c) Assist the client to develop and maintain recovery supports such as housing, employment, finances, transportation, and basic life skill;

(d) Coordinate with other systems of care, and with hospital admissions and hospital discharges in order to ensure continuity and coordination of services;

(e) Provide support and advocacy services; and

(f) Ensure continuity and coordination of care for clients by working closely with local hospitals to maintain clients in the community whenever safely possible.

(4) An ACT team will administer services with the low client to team ratio that does not exceed more than 6 new clients admitted per month, for a total of 100 clients with no more than a 10 clients to 1 staff ratio.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R523-22-4

Repealed by Utah State Bulletin Number 2016-2, effective 12/22/2015 Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-17, effective 8/13/2020