Assisted Outpatient Treatment Presentation to the Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers by Judge Oscar Kazen 6-17-2011

Presenter: Judge Oscar Kazen, Associate Probate Judge, Bexar County

Bexar County has been identified as setting an example for other counties in Texas on how to leverage existing law and resources to deliver mental health
treatment to those who need it most. The county started Involuntary Outpatient Commitment (IOPC) services in August 2003 to provide intensive case management and court advocacy to patients who have frequent emergency hospitalizations due to noncompliance with treatment. Upon the arrival of Judge Oscar Kazen, dramatic improvements to the process were initiated. With continuous success, the IOPC program works to provide for temporary or extended court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment for certain people with mental illness who, in view of their treatment history and present circumstances, are unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision based on established criteria.

The program works within the civil court system to provide intensive case management services and monitor treatment adherence. The reduction in
hospital days alone due to IOPC (not to mention fewer incarcerations, arrests, etc.) is estimated to account for significant increases in cost savings. This workshop will provide an overview of the law pertaining to, evolution of and implementation of this successful program.

THE INVOLUNTARY OUTPATIENT COMMITMENT PROGRAM (IOPC) – is a Civil court-ordered program designed for individuals who are chronically non-compliant with psychiatric treatment. The program provides screenings, assessments and intakes; psychiatric evaluation, psychiatric medication management, intensive comprehensive case management services, individual psychosocial rehabilitation training, linkage referral and outreach services. IOPC conducts weekly staffings with the judge for individuals ordered for treatment by the Bexar County Probate Court. The IOPC court liaison monitors client’s progress and compliance with treatment and civil court order. The assigned court liaison reports to the court on the client’s condition and attends all court staffings and dockets. Treatment services to these individuals are provided through the ACCESS and FACT teams.

Powerpoint will be posted in the near future.