The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program is an initiative of the Ashtabula County Probate Court in conjunction with the Ashtabula County Mental Health Services and Recovery Board to implement outpatient involuntary civil commitment.
AOT operates on a relationship-based model, encouraging regular communication between treatment providers, MHRS, and the Probate Court. Ashtabula County has chosen the court-led model to better respond to the mental health needs of those most at-risk in our community for repeated hospitalizations, homelessness, and law enforcement intervention. Treatment providers use evidence-based services to help program participants maintain stability and safety in the community. Regular conferences with the Court and care team allow for continual responsive evaluation of provided services and to safeguard the due process rights of participants. Every indigent participant is afforded a court-appointed attorney. A Respondent’s continued participation in the program will prevent the implementation of restrictive mental health guardianship.
The mission of the Ashtabula County Probate Assisted Outpatient Treatment program is to deliver outpatient treatment under court order to adults with severe mental illness who meet specific criteria, such as prior history of repeated hospitalization or arrest. This program will provide a less restrictive approach to assisting individuals who are most at risk of hospitalization, homelessness, and arrest or incarceration. Further, AOT will serve to prevent the implementation of mental health guardianship.
• Combination of court-ordered and community-based mental health services
• Less restrictive alternative to guardianships and involuntary hospitalizations
• Treatment plans are tailored to the specific needs of the individual
• Participants are closely monitored by a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals in the community
• Status reports must be filed regularly with the court, and all service providers must comply with the statutory requirements for involuntary treatment
• Participation can be terminated by court order if an individual does not meet the criteria for continued treatment