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Committee accepts $466,925 for Assisted Outpatient Treatment and funds one new staff position
Summary
The committee approved $466,925 in state funding to expand Orange County's AOT/EVA program, adding one Senior Caseworker to support court-ordered and enhanced-voluntary clients and provide flexible supports such as interview clothing or transportation to improve community stabilization.
Orange County's Health and Mental Health Committee voted unanimously Feb. 18 to accept $466,925 from the New York State Office of Mental Health to support the Assisted Outpatient Treatment/Enhanced Voluntary Agreement (AOT/EVA) program and fund one additional staff member.
"The AOT coordinator currently works with 38 to 40 people who are court ordered into treatment," Commissioner of Social Services and Mental Health Lacey Trimble said, describing the program's caseload and the staff role. Trimble said the new Senior Caseworker position will provide extra support for individuals in enhanced voluntary agreements (about 10–14 per month), help coordinate with providers, and offer flexible needs such as a suit for a job interview or food. The funds were presented with a staffing condition tied to the award. The committee recorded the motion by Legislator Glenn R. Ehlers and moved the measure forward unanimously.
Nut graf: The AOT program operates under Kendra's Law and serves people with severe mental illness who meet statutory criteria; county staff said the additional position is intended to strengthen community-based supports and reduce the need for court-ordered interventions. Trimble said next year's allocation will be lower (about $216,000) because these funds were intended for the prior year.
