Assisted Outpatient Treatment
Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is court-ordered outpatient mental health treatment for individuals with serious mental illness who are unable to live safely in the community, but who refuse to participate in treatment on their own. The law that allows court-ordered treatment is sometimes called “Laura’s Law”. SLO Behavioral Health’s AOT program started in March, 2016, and is funded by the Mental Health Services Act.
AOT Program:
SLO Behavioral Health staff provide outreach, assessment, program support and coordination with the court. Services offered to AOT clients include:
- Co-Occurring treatment to address both mental health and substance use disorder needs
- Rehabilitation services to assist clients in learning and utilizing skills to improve self-care, social support system, and health
- Intensive case management to support clients in accessing housing, financial, vocational, health care, and social support services, including voluntary mental health services
For Brochure, Click here.
What is the process?
Referral to AOT
You will need a screening and referral to AOT, for referrals please email [email protected] to submit referral form or request more information.
Acceptance of Voluntary Services
The Assisted Outpatient team will work with the referred person to help them accept voluntary services. The team will provide services to clients in an attempt to successfully connect to voluntary services.
Assessment and Petition to Court
If the referred person meets the legal criteria and the outreach effort is not successful will SLO Behavioral Health AOT staff complete an assessment and petition the court to order an adult into AOT.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for AOT services, the referred individual must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have serious mental health needs
- Have refused mental health treatment
- Be unlikely to survive in the community without treatment,
- Have repeated recent hospitalization and/or incarceration due to untreated mental health needs
- Be currently seriously decompensating (getting worse)
The following people may refer an individual for AOT:
- A parent, spouse, sibling, or adult child of the individual
- Any adult who lives with the individual
- A licensed mental health provider supervising the individual’s treatment
- A peace, parole, or probation officer
- Judge
When and where is this service offered?
The service is available throughout SLO County.
Location, directions and hours of operation
Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information
Monday - Friday 8-5
2178 Johnson Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Tel: (805) 781-4700
FAQS
No, the court order for AOT does not require an individual in AOT to take medication.
Email SLO Behavioral Health at [email protected] to request Assisted Outpatient Treatment services.
Staff provides field-based outreach and are able to go into our community to locate and engage with referred individuals. Please provide as much information as possible when making a referral. Some housing resources may be available for individuals in this program.
