Florida Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Team

Traditional outpatient care typically means visiting a therapist's office once a week or once a month. FACT brings an entire team to you multiple times per week, providing comprehensive services that go far beyond therapy including medication management, crisis intervention, housing support, employment services, and help with daily living. We also provide 24/7 crisis availability, which traditional outpatient services don't offer.

Once you're accepted into our FACT Team, you're part of our team for life or for as long as you want. There's no predetermined timeline or pressure to leave. Whether you need intensive support for a few years or ongoing connection for decades, we're committed to being here for you. The goal is to provide the level of support you need, when you need it, adjusting services as your life changes while maintaining that lifelong safety net.

Family involvement is entirely up to you. We encourage family participation when appropriate because family support can be invaluable in recovery. We offer family education sessions to help your loved ones understand mental illness, learn how to support you, and address their own concerns. However, we respect your privacy and will only involve family members with your explicit permission.

For families and caregivers who need additional support, we recommend Aaron's House, a local Tampa organization that provides support groups, education, and respite specifically for caregivers of individuals with mental illness. NAMI Florida also offers excellent family education programs and support groups throughout the state.

No. The core of FACT is that we come to you. While we have an office where you can meet with us if you prefer, most services are provided in your home, at your workplace, or in community locations where you feel comfortable. This flexibility is one of FACT's greatest strengths.

We specialize in helping people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Our team can meet you wherever you are—at a shelter, on the street, at a drop-in center—and we actively work to help you secure and maintain stable housing. Housing assistance is a core component of FACT services.

Absolutely. Our vocational specialist works with you to explore employment goals, develop job skills, find job opportunities, and provide support once you're working. Whether you're ready to work full-time or need to start with volunteer activities, we'll meet you where you are and help you work toward your goals.

FACT provides integrated treatment for mental health and substance use disorders. Our substance abuse specialist works as part of your treatment team, ensuring that both challenges are addressed together. We understand that mental illness and substance use often occur together, and we have the expertise to treat both effectively. For individuals who need more intensive addiction treatment, we can coordinate with our Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to provide comprehensive care.

We work with Medicaid, Medicare, and many private insurance plans. For those without insurance or with financial hardship, we offer sliding-scale fees and payment assistance. Cost should never be a barrier to receiving the intensive care you need—our team will work with you to find a solution.

If you're experiencing a crisis—day or night—you can call our 24-hour line at (813) 239-8200 and speak with a FACT team member who knows you. We'll assess the situation, provide immediate support, and send a team member to see you if needed. Our goal is to help you through the crisis in your community and avoid hospitalization whenever possible and safe.

If you need immediate crisis support and are not currently enrolled in FACT, you can also contact our Adult Crisis Center, Mobile Crisis Response Team at 813-272-2958, or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 support.

Yes. FACT teams work closely with the criminal justice system to provide treatment as an alternative to incarceration for individuals whose offenses are related to mental illness. We can coordinate with courts, probation officers, and other justice partners to support you in remaining stable in the community rather than cycling through jail. For individuals currently involved with the justice system who need specialized forensic mental health services, our Forensic Treatment Program offers additional specialized support.

Yes. Your treatment records are strictly confidential and protected by federal and state privacy laws. We only share information with your written permission, except in specific circumstances required by law (such as imminent danger to yourself or others, or suspected abuse of vulnerable individuals).

During your initial assessment, we'll determine together whether FACT is the appropriate level of care for your needs. If we determine that a different service would be more helpful, we'll connect you with the right resources. If you start FACT and later decide it's not working for you, we'll work with you to find alternative services that better meet your needs.