Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program

ACT is a team based, community-oriented program that provides an inclusive array of services that support Consumers in their recovery journey. The Team works comprehensively with adults who have been diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness and who may be at risk for psychiatric hospitalization.

ACT also provides Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment (IDDT), for co-occurring disorders for individuals served that have both a mental health and substance abuse diagnosis, as well as assessing and providing Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), for individuals with emotional regulation disorders.

ACT Goals

The ACT Team strives to keep people safe in their community, to reduce their hospitalizations, and to enhance their quality of life. They assist individuals to meet their basic needs, live independently, and maintain medication regimens. The Team strives to lessen or eliminate symptoms of mental illness and prevent a reoccurrence of acute episodes of the illness.

The Treatment Model

Includes dedicated professionals from a variety of backgrounds who work together to holistically meet the needs and goals of the individuals served. The Team consists of a psychiatrist, a peer advocate, a Registered Nurse, and Social Workers.

The staff is knowledgeable in areas of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, substance abuse, and crisis intervention. This multi-disciplinary team assists individuals to meet their choice of goals, by bringing their expertise and collaborating on the delivery of services.

ACT Services

ACT Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Team contact is based on individual need and no limits are placed on the length of time a person receives services.

The majority of services are provided within the individual's home. Emphasis is placed on the indidvidual served being an active participant in treatment and recovery. The Team provides medication management and therapeutic services. The Team assists individuals in coordinating services with other community agencies and primary care physicians.

Community Bound Volunteer Program is provided through the Personal Independence Center for individuals with developmental disabilities. As part of their efforts to be active, participating members of the community, the individuals volunteer their time in support of community activities and non-profit organizations throughout the county.

The intent is to integrate individuals into their community through volunteer situations, as well as, utilizing the community resources for skill building and knowledge base. TBHS staff members will be with participants while they get acquainted to the project.

Outcomes...

• To become more independent, and correspondingly, more included in their community.

• Skill development in real situations.

• To work as respected individuals alongside others in the community. Increased community awareness of disabilities to erase the stigma associated with a disability.

• Develop natural resources - new friends, new experiences.

• Create a possible link to employment opportunities.

• Continued development in interpersonal and socialization skills.

• Develop good work habits.

• Develop an understanding of helping other within the community.

Community Bound Volunteers...

The Community Bound Volunteers are to assist with projects/events and not to replace a paid position or interfere with paid labor force. The work materials are supplied by the community organization/agency requesting assistance

Ahe Integrated Wellness Clinic at Tuscola Behavioral Health Systems (TBHS) is a unique clinic where people who are receiving mental health services at TBHS can also receive primary health care within the same setting. 

The Integrated Wellness Clinic removes the barrier of access to primary care services for individuals living with a mental health diagnosis.  This allows individuals to receive treatment for both physical and mental health conditions at the same time and at the same place. 

The Integrated Wellness Clinics goal is to care for the whole person while providing treatment, support, education and wellness in an integrated healthcare setting.  In addition, a Certified Peer Wellness Coach is also on staff to assist and educate individuals in meeting their healthcare goals.

The goal for TBHS is to help all individuals served to lead healthier, happier and more rewarding lives. Behavioral health treatment, wellness programs and primary care in one location leads to building a trusting relationship with individuals, where the individual creates their own person centered care path to wellness.

Medical Appointments Available: Wednesdays & Thursdays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. by calling 989.673.6191 or 1.800.462.6814. Accepting new Medicaid Patients.

Nurse Practitioner Available by Appointment: Wednesdays & Thursdays - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Walk-ins are welcome.

TBHS working in collaboration with McLaren Caro & Caro Health Plaza.

OBRA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation ACT of 1987) provides pre-screenings to individuals seeking admission to a Medicaid Certified Nursing Home. This is to ensure individuals with a mental illness and/or developmental/intellectual disability receive appropriate care for both their medical and mental health needs in the least restrictive setting. This includes determining medical necessity for residing in a skilled nursing facility and if there is a need for specialized mental health services. Individuals who remain long-term in a skilled nursing facility are assessed yearly or as needed due to reported changes in condition. If it is determined that an individual no longer requires skilled nursing facility care or medical supervision, Community Mental Health will assist in coordination between the skilled nursing facility, individual, individual’s supports/guardian, and community providers in order to obtain needed treatment outside of the skilled nursing facility environment in compliance with MDHHS determinations.

Often behavioral and emotional concerns can complicate our daily responsibilities, creating additional problems that may, in time, take over one’s life if help is not received. The impact of trauma is another factor that can affect one’s relationships, and reduce one’s ability to cope with stress. This can further challenge overall mental health. The goal of Outpatient Therapy is to focus on solutions and works to help individuals improve their emotional, mental, and social functioning as part of their recovery journey. Services can be provided on a one-to-one basis, with natural supports or family, or in a group setting. The service array is determined by the individual’s expressed wants, needs, and desires, combined with professional clinical guidance.

Professional and confidential services are provided to people of all ages offering affordable, comprehensive, and easily accessible behavioral health care.

Eligibility for Outpatient Therapy is determined by clinical assessment and other standardized assessment tools to establish medical necessity. Length of services will vary in duration based on individual needs. Typical counseling sessions last 45 to 60 minutes. TBHS provides a variety of treatment programs with flexible hours and scheduled that work around your lifestyle needs. Evening appointments are available Tuesday through Thursday.

New Directions is the Supported Employment Program through Tuscola Behavioral Health Systems. Supported/Integrated Employment Services provide initial and ongoing support services and training. Employment Training Specialists provide support at the job sites to help adults who are eligible for mental health services find and keep paid employment in the community.

Psychiatric evaluations include a comprehensive, face-to-face evaluation by a psychiatrist for adults with severe and persistent mental illness and children with severe emotional disturbances. The focus of the evaluation is to determine the mental status, including the presenting problem, history of illness or previous psychiatric history, and medication history to provide a comprehensive assessment to help formulate a person-centered plan in the overall care.

Medication Reviews are provided by the psychiatrist and is aimed at providing face-to-face contact and ongoing monitoring regarding the implementation and effectiveness of medication treatment.

Skill Building assistance includes training and supports services to help individuals actively participate at school, work, volunteer opportunities, community settings, or to learn social skills they may need to support themselves or to get around in the community. Skill building is provided at the PIC building and at a number of volunteer sites and senior meal sites.

Skill building assistance is for individuals who are developmentally disabled, with the goal of promoting personal independence in their daily lives.

A Supports Coordinator is a staff person who helps write an individual plan of service and makes sure the services are delivered. His or her role is to listen to a person's goals, and to help find the services and providers inside and outside the local community mental health services program that will help achieve the goals. A supports coordinator may also connect a person to resources in the community for employment, community living, education, public benefits, and recreational activities.

Targeted Case Management is a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation and advocacy for options and services to meet a person’s recovery needs. The case manager coordinates services and helps oversee the Person Centered Plan. Staff will link individuals to needed services and monitor the results. Targeted Case Management is intended for people who require a number of mental health services and who have difficulty accessing or sustaining services on their own.

Targeted Case Management is a practice in which the person served is a participant, to the greatest extent, in assessing needs, obtaining services, treatments and supports, and in preventing and managing crisis.