MODIFYING THE PACT MODEL TO SERVE HOMELESS PERSONS WITH SEVERE MENTAL-ILLNESS

The success of the Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) ha s led to its replication with different client populations, especially those who are underserved by the traditional treatment system. This p aper describes a program in Baltimore that has adapted the PACT model to serve homeless persons with severe mental illness. Although the ess ential ingredients and philosophy of the original model were maintaine d, the original team approach has been modified by the use of ''mini-t eams.'' All staff share knowledge of all program clients through forma l mechanisms such as daily meetings; however, each client is assigned to a miniteam composed of a clinical case manager, a psychiatrist, and a consumer advocate. Another deviation from the PACT model is that se rvices can be time limited. The authors describe four phases of treatm ent and problems, including interventions characteristic of each phase .