Assisted Outpatient Treatment
AOT Brochure
AOT Eligibility:
A person may be eligible to obtain AOT if he or she:
- Is at least 18 year of age and is diagnosed with a mental illness; and
- Is unlikely to survive in the community without supervision, based on a clinical determination; and
- Has a history of non-compliance with treatment for mental illness which has led to: Either 2 hospitalizations for mental illness in the preceding 3 years, or Incarceration during which psychiatric treatment was provided, or At least 1 act of violence toward self or others, or threats of serious physical harm to self or others, within the preceding 4 years; and
- Is unlikely to accept the treatment recommended in the treatment plan; and
- Is in need of AOT to avoid a relapse or deterioration that would likely result in serious harm to self or others; and
- Will likely benefit from AOT.
Consumers have the opportunity access legal representation throughout their involvement with the AOT program from Mental Hygiene Legal Services.
In order to ensure personal choices regarding mental and physical care, if one becomes incapable of making treatment decision, one may wish to document preferences in an Advance Directive. More information about Advance Directives can be obtained by contacting Mental Hygiene Legal Services at (716) 845-3650.
To enlist the help of a peer, contact the Mental Health Association in Niagara County at (716) 433-3780.
Important Agencies
Niagara County Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program (716) 285-3518
Niagara County 24-Hour Crisis Phone Line (716) 285-3515
Niagara County Adult Integrated Care Clinics:
- Lockport (716) 439-7400
- Niagara Falls (716) 278-1940
NYS Office of Mental Health
FAQs
Contact the Niagara County Department of Mental Health AOT Program at (716) 285-3518. A staff member will respond to your concerns and questions while gathering information from you about your referral.
Download the Application Niagara County AOT Application
Download the Application Niagara County AOT Application
Eligibility may be determined during the telephone screening or further investigation may be needed. If an individual does not meet AOT criteria, referral to other appropriate services will be offered.
A certified social worker will begin an investigation through contacts with the individual, the individual’s family members and his/her service providers. The social worker will also gather treatment records from previous and current service providers.
The social worker will work with each individual to achieve and maintain stability and increase life quality through linkage with the most effective and least restrictive services available. The social worker will work with the individual to develop an individualized treatment plan and a written contract. Services may include some or all of the following: mental health treatment, drug and alcohol abuse treatment, hospital in-patient or day treatment, structured housing, case management, vocational programming and crisis services.
An individual will remain in active status in the program until they have demonstrated clear stability and compliance with the treatment plan for an extended period of time. After that, the individual may move into inactive status, and a low level of monitoring. After long term compliance with treatment, the AOT case may be closed.
After diligent efforts have been exhausted and an individual remains at risk of self-harm or harm to others, a petition for an AOT court order may be initiated with the state supreme court system to ensure safety and treatment compliance. The petition, which is a formal statement of facts demonstrating that the person meets the criteria for AOT, must be accompanied by the affidavit of an examining physician. The affidavit must show that the physician examined the person and, with the individual, developed a treatment plan, prior to the filing of the petition, and that the individual meets the programmatic criteria.
The court order is directed to both the individual receiving AOT and the local director of the AOT program. The order will require the individual to accept the treatment deemed necessary by the court, and will require the local director to furnish such treatment through local service providers. This provides greater accountability of service providers in serving the consumer.
The initial court order is effective for up to 1 year from the date of the order. The order can be extended for successive periods of up to 1 year each, but any application to extend AOT requires a showing that the person continues to meet all of the AOT criteria.