The number of adults treated for serious mental illness (SPMI) across the state has increased nearly 33% since 2001 to 51,048 while the number of seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) children has increased nearly 37% in the same period to 29,655. The homeless population in Indianapolis is currently estimated around 15,000 people, 30% of which are children, 40% of which are families, an estimated 33% of the homeless population in Indianapolis experience mental illness. The growing population of Indiana residents seeking treatment for mental illness is a troubling statistic; one which Adult and Child is determined to address through their commitment to recovery-oriented, consumer-focused, and evidence based practices.

Ten years ago, Adult and Child operated much like other Community Mental Health Centers at that time.  They existed to passively provide mental health services to their community members.  There was little coordination or interaction across programs, which often hindered the personal recovery of consumers, as well as the professional development opportunities for staff.  The concept of tracking consumer outcomes was not yet used as a tool, and providing services  in teams, and engaging consumers through person-centered planning was not yet a reality. 

In the mid 1990s, Adult and Child made a risky decision to focus their resources on what they did well; serving SPMI adults and SED children.  They dismantled their operating silos, and developed self contained, multi-disciplinary teams.  Each adult team was comprised of case managers, social workers, registered nurses, vocational and addiction specialists, and psychiatrists/nurse practitioners.  These teams were responsible for providing wraparound services to each of their consumers: In effect operating much like an Assertive Community Treatment team, before there were state-level resources for ACT. 

Adult and Childs entire adult service line now operates from a multi-disciplinary treatment team model and consumers are assigned to specific teams based on location and the best fit for each individual consumer.    Each of these teams offer multiple evidence-based mental health practices (EBPs) such as Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT), Supported Employment, Illness Management and Recovery (IMR), and specialized Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) treatment for people with specific personality disorders.  Furthermore, most of Adult and Childs staff have been trained and use Motivational Interviewing techniques.

Adult and Child has received a great deal of national attention regarding their success in implementing evidence based practices for all age ranges. 

• They are one of ten national recipients of a SAMHSA grant targeting the delivery of evidence-based practices to older adults using an enhanced version of the IMPACT model adding a valuable community outreach function and integration of primary and behavioral healthcare through a partnership with a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). 
• Adult and Child Center was recently awarded the 2008 SAMHSA Science and Service Award for their unique implementation of Illness Management and Recovery (IMR).  The Science and Service Award recognizes exemplary implementation of evidence-based interventions that have been shown to prevent and/or treat mental illnesses and substance abuse. 
• In 2007, Team Zenith, a community treatment team, won the Mental Health America of Indiana Heroes in the Fight award. 

Providing quality services and keeping our patients safe are top proirities at Adult and Child Center.  If you have any concerns or would like to make any comments regarding the quality of our services, please click here for contact information.