In a recent meeting of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, officials discussed the implementation and expansion of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, a crucial component of mental health services aimed at supporting individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). Pam Bennett, representing the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health, highlighted the findings of a needs assessment conducted by Laura Summers at the Kem Gardner Institute, which is part of the initiatives outlined in House Bill 248 passed in 2023.

ACT teams, described as \"hospitals without walls,\" provide community-based services to individuals who frequently cycle through hospitals and jails, often due to their fragile mental health conditions. The model has been shown to be more effective than traditional case management, particularly for high-utilization clients. Each ACT team consists of ten members who collectively serve approximately 100 clients, ensuring a robust support system.

Currently, Utah has seven to eight ACT teams, with four to five located in Salt Lake County. However, the needs assessment indicates that the state requires about 16 teams to adequately serve the population of adults needing treatment for SMI. The meeting underscored several barriers to expanding ACT services, including geographic challenges in rural areas, a shortage of qualified workforce, and inadequate insurance reimbursement for ACT services.

Bennett noted that the cost to establish an ACT team has risen to approximately $1 million, which includes expenses for training, equipment, and personnel. Recommendations from the needs assessment included evaluating Medicaid reimbursement rates to ensure sustainability and creating policies to support clients transitioning to employment without losing their Medicaid coverage.

The discussions emphasized the urgent need for enhanced mental health services in Utah, particularly as the severity of mental illness among clients continues to rise. The meeting concluded with a call for collaborative efforts to address these challenges and improve the overall mental health care system in the state.