*NOTE – Effective August, 1, 2021, the Chatham ACT program is now operated by Chatham Kent Health Alliance. To learn more about the Chatham ACT program, please visit the Chatham Kent Health Alliance Website.
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare’s (HDGH) Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program is a community-based, recovery model of care for individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness. ACT assertively reaches out to clients where and when they need help – directly in your home and in your community.
A total of two ACT teams provide care throughout Windsor-Essex.
ACT brings an inter-professional team of healthcare workers together, including psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, therapeutic recreation and vocational rehab therapists, to provide you with highly integrated and individualized services. ACT gives you a single point of access – one door to comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation, and support, at any time or day of the week.
Goals
ACT works with you as an active participant in your care with the goal of promoting independence and stability, having better control of mental health symptoms, decreasing the likelihood of hospitalization, and achieving an overall improved quality of life.
Referrals
Referrals to the ACT program may only be received from psychiatrists.
Inclusion Criteria
- 18 years and older.
- Diagnosis of an Axis I serious mental illness, i.e. schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or related psychotic disorders.
- Have severe symptoms and impairments that impair functioning in community living.
- Have not benefited from traditional outpatient programs.
- Needs services greater than 3 times per week.
- Frequently uses mental health services i.e. Mental Health Police Teams/Emergency Department/Crisis Services.
- Multiple recent hospital admissions (50 days in the last year or 150 days over the last three years).
- Not engaged with other community mental health services.
- Have significant functional impairment in at least two of the following: Recovery, Symptom Management, Health and System Navigation.
Exclusion Criteria
- Individuals with a primary diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, substance abuse disorder, or dementia are not the intended or appropriate client groups.
- Noncompliance with medication adherence in itself is not a reason for ACT.
- Traditional case management services or other attempts at treatment including CTO and SDM have not been attempted.
Cost
ACT services at HDGH are funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Services are provided at no cost to you upon presentation of a valid OHIP card.
Contact
Windsor-Essex ACT
1453 Prince Rd.
Emara Building, 1st Fl. North
Windsor, ON N9C 3Z4
Team 1 Phone: 519.254.3486
Team 2 Phone: 519.254.7566
Fax: 519-254-2443
Hours
Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday to Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Families’ and Friends’ Role in Promoting Safety
Family members and friends play an important role in patient safety. Encouraging
attendance of appointments, taking medications and asking to be involved in
understanding and facilitating treatment plans is recommended among family
members and friends. If family members and friends have serious concerns
about a loved one’s safety and well-being please utilize emergency (911) or
crisis hotline (519-973-4435) services or locations (nearest emergency room or
crisis centre) as needed. You are always allowed to provide us with
information however we may not be able to relay information/feedback to you
directly. For any important messages the hospital contact information is
provided on this website under the Contacts link.
Thank you for your role in promoting safety.