HARBINGER-II - DEPLOYMENT AND EVOLUTION OF ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT IN MICHIGAN

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is now recognized as the model pro ven to be most successful in working with clients with long-term, seve re mental illness. The first documented research replication study of ACT was Harbinger of Grand Rapids, in Kent County, Michigan. The Harbi nger program influenced significant programmatic changes throughout th e public mental health system in Michigan. This paper describes this e volution in community mental health locally and why these changes came about. The state-level strategy to implement replications of Harbinge r is described, as well as funding and monitoring mechanisms that have now resulted in over 100 successful ACT programs in Michigan. For men tal health administrators, the implications discussed include the futu re of ACT promotion and implementation, within the reality of a manage d care framework.