This infographic, “What Is Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)?”, provides a concise, visual overview of AOT and how it works. AOT is a court-ordered civil legal mechanism that connects adults with serious mental illness to coordinated, community-based mental health and support services.
An Overview of AOT
The infographic explains how judges use AOT orders to help individuals remain safely in their communities through individualized treatment plans coordinated by a multidisciplinary care team. Services may include case management, medication management, therapy, substance use treatment, and job training.
The resource highlights why AOT matters, emphasizing its role in reducing hospitalizations, arrests, and behavioral health crises while promoting long-term stability and safer transitions of care.
It also distinguishes between two common applications of AOT: step-up orders for individuals in the community who need additional support, and step-down orders for individuals transitioning from inpatient hospitalization to ongoing outpatient care.
In addition, the infographic outlines Policy Research Associates’ experience supporting AOT nationwide, including evaluation of the first U.S. outpatient commitment program, leadership in national initiatives such as SAMHSA’s AOT Grant Program, and expertise in policy design, outcome evaluation, and technical assistance.
The “What Is Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)?” infographic is a practical, accessible resource for policymakers, judges, practitioners, and other vested partners seeking a high-level introduction to AOT and its evidence-based role in behavioral health systems. It is a supplement to the Policy Research article, “What Is Assisted Outpatient Treatment, or AOT?” published in December 2025.
This infographic was first released in 2025.
Suggested Citation
Policy Research Associates. (2025). What Is Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)? [infographic]. https://www.prainc.com/resource-library