The Single Point of Access (SPOA) program helps providers connect people with serious mental illness to mental health services that can accommodate them. Through these services, people with serious mental illness can connect to treatment, communicate with providers and get help finding benefits.
There are several SPOA programs in NYC, including ACT and SPACT.
What is Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)?
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation services for people with serious mental illness and needs that have not been met by traditional mental health services. There are four types of ACT programs:
Community ACT
Forensic ACT
Shelter Partnered ACT
Child ACT
Who is eligibile for ACT?
Serious mental illness
Extended functional impairment due to mental illness; or reliance on psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation and support
Enrolled in Medicaid
Continuous high mental health services needs, must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Two or more psychiatric hospitalizations, or one hospitalization of 60 days or more - in the past year
High use of psychiatric emergency or crisis services (EMS, mobile crisis)
Court ordered to participate in Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)
Who is not appropriate for ACT?
Primary diagnosis of personality disorders, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury or developmental disabilities
Primarily street homeless
What is Shelter Partnered Assertive Community Treatment (SPACT)?
SPACT offers the same services as ACT with enhancements to better serve people residing in DHS shelter:
Teams partner with NYC shelters for close collaboration
Treatment and medication management provided at the person’s assigned shelter and/or in the community
Teams now have access to CARES to support case finding and care coordination
Enrollment waitlist is short compared to other ACT programs
How to make a SPOA referral?
Anyone can refer a person in need of SPOA services, including a shelter, hospital, jail, prison, social worker, or other
Clinical information is needed to complete the referral, including most recent psychosocial assessment and psychiatric evaluation (or observational mental health assessment for DHS)
Health insurance is not required to access SPOA services
Referrals are submitted online via NYCMED
More information on SPOA can be found on the NYC Health Department website: Mental Health: Single Point of Access - NYC Health