The Problem
Florida ranks 40th in the nation for access to mental health services. Too many people in crisis are treated in emergency rooms and then discharged without follow-up care, leaving them and their families confused, scared, and unsupported.
The Proven Solution
Why Assertive Community Treatment Teams Work:
While there are several types of services within the mental health continuum, one that many individuals have a hard time accessing is step-down treatment. Step-down care is the transition stage of treatment when a client leaves a higher level of care (i.e. in-patient hospitalization) and moves to a lower one (i.e. out-patient treatment). Many individuals are simply discharged from the hospital with little to no guidance, leaving themselves and their families confused and scared. This often leads to relapses and other negative consequences.
One nationwide best practice that aims to bridge this gap is called Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), This model is unique for several reasons:
Small Caseload,
Services Come to the Client,
Multidisciplinary Team, 24/7
Crisis Management,
Cost-savings
Increased housing stability
2025 Update
The Local Need: Currently, Palm Beach County has only two FACT Teams, far fewer than needed. Conversations with key leaders confirmed what our PEACE members have been saying for years: the need is urgent. The state GAP Analysis calls for 29 new FACT Teams across Florida by 2029, including 3 in Palm Beach County.
Next Steps: Since the 2024 Nehemiah Action, PEACE has met with Palm Beach County Senators and Representatives to advocate for funding additional FACT Teams in the 2026–2027 state budget. This is a critical step toward expanding FACT Teams locally. To ensure commitments turn into action, PEACE will bring this message directly to Tallahassee this November.
