The Sequential Intercept Model and Forensic Assertive Community Treatment for People with Serious Mental Illness: Implications for Social Work Practice

In the United States, adults with serious mental illness are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. The sequential intercept model is a novel framework that identifies three major stages where interventions for this population can best be utilized: pretrial diversion, post-plea alternative to incarceration (ATI), and community reentry from jail and prison. This workshop presents a review of the best practices that support the application of Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) across these three stages. Patients receiving FACT services have been found to have lower rates of psychiatric hospitalization and criminal justice recidivism than those receiving treatment as usual. Criminal justice policy efforts should therefore focus on expansion of access to FACT services, particularly with respect to utilization of these services at the pretrial diversion and ATI stages, where they are historically underutilized.

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to: 1.) Provide an overview of the sequential intercept model and its relevance to social work practice. 2.) Discuss the literature on the evolution of Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) and the impacts it notes on reduction of psychiatric hospitalization and recidivism among justice-involved people with serious mental illness. 3.) Explore the applications and effectiveness of FACT along three major stages of the sequential intercept model: pretrial diversion, alternative to incarceration, and community reentry. 4.) Examine the implications of the sequential intercept model and FACT on criminal justice reform, particularly with respect to justice-involved people with serious mental illness. 5.) Consider the potential of the sequential intercept model and FACT to promote equity and access to psychiatric treatment for racial and gender minorities at all stages of the criminal justice system.