Laura's Law - Assisted Outpatient Treatment
Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), sometimes called "Laura's Law," is for people with severe and persistent mental illness who need treatment to prevent substantial deterioration of their condition, and who may pose a risk to themselves or others.
For these individuals, who decline care or struggle to engage in treatment when offered, Contra Costa County has adopted Laura's Law. Laura's Law is a discretionary state law that allows counties to use the civil court system to supervise care.
For eligible individuals, the AOT program provides a 24-hour team response that includes mental health treatment, medication, access to primary health care, substance abuse counseling, benefits and resource counseling, supportive housing, vocational rehabilitation, and peer and family member education and support.
The court process is only used after every effort has been made to encourage individuals who need treatment to voluntarily participate.
AOT is not for crisis intervention. If someone is experiencing a mental or emotional emergency, call 911 in case of an immediate emergency, 211: 24/7 toll-free crisis hotline, Adult Mobile Crisis Response Team: 1-833-443-2672, Children's Mobile Response Team: 1-877-441-1089, Welfare/Safety Check: 925-646-2441.
Program staff includes licensed mental health clinicians from Behavioral Health Services (BHS) as well as from Mental Health Systems, a not-for-profit, community based organization contracted by BHS.