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Assisted outpatient treatment in New York: regional differences in New York's assisted outpatient treatment program.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Robbins, PC; Keator, KJ; Steadman, HJ; Swanson, JW; Wilder, CM; Swartz, MS
Published in: Psychiatr Serv
October 2010

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to describe the implementation of "Kendra's Law" in New York State and examine regional differences in the application of the program. METHODS: Between February 2007 and April 2008, interviews were conducted with 50 key informants across New York State. Key informants included assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) county coordinators, county directors of community services, judges, attorneys from the Mental Hygiene Legal Service (MHLS), psychiatrists, treatment providers, peer advocates, family members, and other referred individuals. Additional analyses were conducted using AOT program administrative and evaluation databases and client history data. RESULTS: From program inception in 1999 through 2007, a total of 8,752 initial AOT orders and 5,684 renewals were granted. Notable regional differences were found in the use of two distinct models of AOT: AOT First and Enhanced Voluntary Services First. Regional differences were also found in how the AOT program was implemented and administered. Other variations stemmed from the court proceedings themselves, the continuity and interest of the presiding judge, and the attitudes of the MHLS attorneys. CONCLUSIONS: Many regional adaptations of the AOT program were found. Many were the result of lack of guidance in implementing Kendra's Law. Policy makers may want to consider whether the law should change to allow for these differences or whether additional support from a central source is warranted to ensure more uniformity in the implementation of AOT and thus the fairness of its application across the state.

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Published In

Psychiatr Serv

DOI

EISSN

1557-9700

Publication Date

October 2010

Volume

61

Issue

10

Start / End Page

970 / 975

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • Outpatients
  • New York
  • Mentally Ill Persons
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Humans
  • Commitment of Mentally Ill
  • Ambulatory Care
  • 4203 Health services and systems
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
 

Citation

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Robbins, P. C., Keator, K. J., Steadman, H. J., Swanson, J. W., Wilder, C. M., & Swartz, M. S. (2010). Assisted outpatient treatment in New York: regional differences in New York's assisted outpatient treatment program. Psychiatr Serv, 61(10), 970–975. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2010.61.10.970
Robbins, Pamela Clark, Karli J. Keator, Henry J. Steadman, Jeffrey W. Swanson, Christine M. Wilder, and Marvin S. Swartz. “Assisted outpatient treatment in New York: regional differences in New York's assisted outpatient treatment program.Psychiatr Serv 61, no. 10 (October 2010): 970–75. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2010.61.10.970.
Robbins PC, Keator KJ, Steadman HJ, Swanson JW, Wilder CM, Swartz MS. Assisted outpatient treatment in New York: regional differences in New York's assisted outpatient treatment program. Psychiatr Serv. 2010 Oct;61(10):970–5.
Robbins, Pamela Clark, et al. “Assisted outpatient treatment in New York: regional differences in New York's assisted outpatient treatment program.Psychiatr Serv, vol. 61, no. 10, Oct. 2010, pp. 970–75. Pubmed, doi:10.1176/ps.2010.61.10.970.
Robbins PC, Keator KJ, Steadman HJ, Swanson JW, Wilder CM, Swartz MS. Assisted outpatient treatment in New York: regional differences in New York's assisted outpatient treatment program. Psychiatr Serv. 2010 Oct;61(10):970–975.
Journal cover image

Published In

Psychiatr Serv

DOI

EISSN

1557-9700

Publication Date

October 2010

Volume

61

Issue

10

Start / End Page

970 / 975

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • Outpatients
  • New York
  • Mentally Ill Persons
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Humans
  • Commitment of Mentally Ill
  • Ambulatory Care
  • 4203 Health services and systems
  • 3202 Clinical sciences