Assertive Community Treatment – Homeless

Who we serve
We assist long-term homeless adults with one year of continuous homelessness or 4 episodes of homelessness in the past 3 years, who have a serious and persistent mental illness. ACT clients are referred to the program from staff at shelters by People Incorporated’s street outreach team, other outreach workers in Hennepin County, and community agencies.

The goals we set
Our team’s philosophical premise is that no individual with mental illness should have to experience long-term homelessness, or be denied access to mental health and/or chemical health services. This premise leads to our commitment to integrate the mental health system and the homeless service system to achieve stable housing with adequate support services for homeless adults with a mental illness.

Services we provide
ACT staff uses an approach based on building trust, being non-judgmental and providing support through a consistent presence in the individual’s life. This may be done through the distribution of survival gear, repeated visits to homeless camps, drop-in centers, and shelters. Once the individual agrees to work with the team, a diagnostic evaluation will be completed by a licensed staff person, and a client-driven treatment plan is created. Clients are eventually referred into housing, receiving hands on assistance with daily activities as they attempt to adjust to having their own place to call home.

About the process
To be eligible for ACT services, an individual must be homeless for one or more years or have 4 episodes of homelessness in the past 3 years and have a serious and persistent mental health diagnosis.

About our fees
Cost for services are provided through Hennepin County or Medical Assistance once the client meets eligibility requirements.

About our staff
The ACT team consists of a vocational specialist, chemical health specialist, housing specialist, Registered Nurse, LPN, therapists and psychiatrists. The team is lead by a licensed clinical social worker with past supervisory experience. All staff are skilled in working with homeless adults with dual diagnoses.

Hours of operation
Program staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.