Introduction To
The Rochester FACT Model
The Rochester Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (R-FACT) model was developed at the University of Rochester by Dr. J. Steven Lamberti and Dr. Robert L. Weisman, beginning with Project Link in 1995. After receiving the American Psychiatric Association’s Gold Award in 1999, they discovered similar programs were emerging nationwide. They then conducted the first national study of these models and introduced the term "forensic assertive community treatment" to the literature.
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Their research highlighted inconsistencies in how FACT programs were designed and how they operated. To address this issue, they secured support from the National Institute of Mental Health to design and test a standardized model – now known as the Rochester FACT model (R-FACT).
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R-FACT combines best practices in community mental health and crime prevention through four key elements:
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A high-fidelity ACT core
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Identification and targeting of criminogenic needs
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Use of legal authority to promote engagement
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Mental health-criminal justice collaboration for problem solving and therapeutic alternatives to punishment
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A randomized controlled trial of R-FACT demonstrated reduced convictions, jail time, and hospitalizations, along with improved engagement in outpatient mental health services. Ongoing efforts now focus on validating a FACT fidelity scale – the Rochester Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Scale (R-FACTS) – to guide national practice.