NewsMaker
Spring 2003

Central Westchester Benefits from the ACT Team

MHA is one of only four institutions selected by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) to direct an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program in Westchester County. The ACT Program is designed to deliver comprehensive and effective services to individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses whose needs have not been well met by the more traditional service delivery approaches.

ACT uses a mobile, community-based, multi-disciplinary treatment model that provides comprehensive, clinical, case management, rehabilitation and support services to adult residents, 18 years or older who reside in central Westchester County and who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness. The central Westchester catchment area includes Hastings, Irvington, Scarsdale, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Tarrytown, Elmsford, Greenburgh and White Plains.

"What we plan to do", said Associate Executive Director Jennifer Brennan, "is provide extensive services that include wellness self-management and relapse prevention, health screening, education and referrals, medication support, housing, integrated treatment for substance abuse, employment, school and training opportunities and assistance with family life and social relationships in the recipient's natural environment, rather than in an office or clinical setting." She added, "Since ACT is a highly individualized approach, we meet the recipient in his or her world and work there to provide the tools they need to obtain and maintain housing, employment, relationships and relief from symptoms and medication side effects."

Unlike most similar programs, ACT has a maximum client to staff ration of 1:9, with direct client contact available seven days a week, providing social and recreational activities on the weekend.

The ACT Team is currently directed by Jennifer Brennan, CSW, whose areas of expertise are domestic violence, trauma and crisis intervention. A graduate of Ithaca College, Ms. Brennan holds an MSW in social work from Stony Brook, The State University of New York (SUNY), School of Social Work. Ms. Brennan is an adjunct professor at Fordham University, teaching the post-graduate program on the Treatment of Interpersonal Trauma. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

For additional information on ACT, please call 914-345-5900, extension 222 or e-mail to brennanj@mhawestchester.org.

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