ACTION East – MHS | Mental Health Systems

Assertive Community Treatment Intensive Outreach Needs (ACTION) – East program offers a dual track treatment model for individuals in the East San Diego area who have either been diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness and/or a chronic substance use disorder. We offer medication management and monitoring, individual therapy, outpatient substance abuse treatment, case management, employment support, peer counseling and support, and housing services. ACTION East provides a safe environment in which our clients can address all their treatment needs.

What Are Our Services?

ACTION East delivers all services with clients as full partners in their treatment and care; these services include:

Psychiatric assessment and treatment
24-hour crisis intervention and support
Medication management
Individual and group counseling
Case management services
Assistance with daily living tasks
Physical health assistance
Supportive housing
Educational, volunteer and employment development
Parenting classes

Our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program

For clients enrolled in our ACT program, we offer recovery-focused and community-based wraparound services, aimed at helping our clients become more productive community members, by building on their strengths and furthering their recovery.

Our Substance Abuse Treatment Program

Being a client of the Substance Abuse Treatment Program at ACTION East requires a commitment to show up and take part in the services offered. Their treatment includes individual and group counseling, alcohol and drug abuse education, communicable disease awareness, relapse prevention, and random urinalysis. Involvement also includes attendance at Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, or other community-based self-help groups. Treatment plans are focused on addressing all aspects of recovery from substance abuse.

Eligibility criteria for ACTION East

ACTION East serves homeless adults who need a higher level of support than that which is offered at traditional outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment programs.

Individual has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness (ACT), and/or a substance use disorder (SUD)
Medical Necessity must be established (face to face) to determine the presence of a severe psychiatric disability and need for intensive ACT services per LOCUS assessment (Level 4 – Medically Monitored Non-Residential Services).
For SUD services the individual must meet ASAM Criteria for outpatient level of care
Individual is homeless or at-risk of homelessness in the East Region of San Diego County
The individual is eighteen years of age or older
Have major impairments in life functioning
Is unserved and/or a high user of inpatient care and medical services
Is at high risk of admission to an inpatient mental health facility

How Do We Get Referrals?

Referrals are made through various resources, including hospitals, jails, San Diego County Probation, and other outside agencies.