A program that aims to support individuals in managing their mental health conditions effectively in the community, reducing the need for more intensive interventions like hospitalization, and improving overall quality of life.
Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) in Michigan refers to a legal mechanism that provides civil court-ordered mental health treatment for individuals with severe mental illness who are not currently engaged in voluntary treatment and may be impaired in their judgement about the need for treatment. The goal of AOT is to support individuals in managing their mental health conditions effectively in the community, reducing the need for more intensive interventions like hospitalization, and improving overall quality of life.
AOT includes a casement management plan and services for care coordination, supervised by a psychiatrist, and developed through person-centered planning. AOT may also include services such as:
The criteria for a person requiring treatment are outlined in the Michigan Mental Health Code. A summarized version is provided below:
If you are considering filing a petition, the Oakland County Probate Court provides Information for Users of Mental Health Services that may answer many of your initial questions. All necessary forms can be found on the website of Oakland County Probate Court and you can find written instructions on how to properly fill out an initial petition by clicking here.
All documents need to be filed at the Mental Health Division of the Oakland County Probate Court. This can be done in-person, via fax or email. There are no filing fees.
Once the petition has been filed, a hearing will be held that determines if an order is necessary.
After the order is issued, it is important that anybody involved in the person’s treatment understands the requirements of the court order. If you have any questions, review the order with a legal expert.
The second page of the court order will outline more details.
After the order was issued, it is important to have the person connected to the right treatment provider right away. OCHN’s Assisted Outpatient Treatment Coordinator is available to assist with this process.
Based on the person’s insurance, OCHN’s AOT Team may coordinate with a person’s private provider, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) or OCHN’s provider network for services. It is important for the person to remain in contact with their treatment team and follow the mutually agreed upon treatment plan. Every person’s treatment will be supervised by an OCHN AOT Monitor, and OCHN may also provide you with a Case Manager to help navigate your services throughout this period.
As you work towards the successful completion of the court’s requirements, OCHN is here to support you!
