The ACT teams use an interdisciplinary approach to provide services.  Each team is comprised of a social worker, substance abuse counselor, nurse, psychiatrist, peer counselor, and employment specialist.  Teams spend approximately 80% of their time in the community, delivering services to clients in their homes and neighborhoods.  ACT teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days/year in order to respond to client emergencies.
Pathways currently operates two ACT teams licensed by the Washington, DC, Department of Mental Health, serving approximately 60 clients per team.  Pathways also operates one “step down” team where people who no longer need the intensive services of the ACT team can still receive case management assistance.  Pathways has received housing and funding to create three new teams.
Chronic homelessness has devastating and long-term impacts on the mental and physical health of individuals.  The realities and consequences of life on the streets include:

• Little to no access to professional health care and basic medications; 
• Poor treatment by health providers and the public; 
• Nutritionally deficient diets; 
• High stress levels; 
• Significant contact with highly addictive substances, violence, and infectious diseases; 
• Sense of isolation and a loss of trust; and 
• Loss of human relationships, loss of hope, and loss of self worth. 

Pathways’ ACT teams address these needs by ending homelessness and providing services, which include:

• Housing in an apartment of the client’s choice
• Psychiatric treatment; 
• Individual and group substance abuse treatment;
• Daily living skills training; 
• Budgeting and money management skills; 
• Advocacy for benefits and entitlements including Social Security, Medicaid, and Food Stamps; 
• Health, wellness and recreational activities; 
• Supports for family reconnections; and
• Vocational and supported employment services.