For Immediate Release: October 1, 2014

Contact: Deanne Thompson, dthompson@ochca.com,  714-834-2178

‘Laura’s Law’ Hotline Launches in Orange County

(Santa Ana) – The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program, also known as Laura’s Law, provides court-ordered treatment for persons with severe mental illness who meet specific criteria. The program is designed to assist individuals who are resistant to obtaining or maintaining treatment. A Hotline is available for AOT referral and criteria verification. Please call 1-855-HCA-1421 or 1-855-422-1421, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

There are specific guidelines determining who can request AOT and who qualifies for AOT. A summary of criteria can be found at this link. There is an information session scheduled for October 14, 2014 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Delhi Center, 505 E. Central Avenue, Santa Ana, 92707. The information session, which is free and open to the public, will cover the guidelines and criteria for Laura’s Law and Assisted Outpatient Treatment in detail. Attendees will have an opportunity to speak with behavioral health services professionals and ask questions.

Orange County is one of several counties in California to approve implementation of AB1421, commonly referred to as Laura’s Law. The law was named after Laura Wilcox, a mental health worker who was killed by a man who had refused psychiatric treatment. To qualify for the program, an individual must have a serious mental illness and a recent history of psychiatric hospitalizations, incarcerations, or acts, threats or attempts of serious violent behavior towards them self or others.

The Health Care Agency offers a variety of outreach and engagement programs and hotlines for individuals and families in need of behavioral health services and resources. Please refer to the list below for a brief summary.

Behavioral Health Resources

• OC Links (855-OC-Links).  Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Information and Referrals for anyone seeking Behavioral Health Services, including: mental health, crisis programs, alcohol and drug inpatient and outpatient, and prevention and early intervention services.
• Emergency Psychiatric Evaluation.  (866) 830-6011 / 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• The Centralized Assessment Team responds to private residences, police stations, health clinics, private doctors’, therapists’ offices, and in the field •Orange County Crisis Prevention Hotline 1-877-7CRISIS or 1-877-727-4747
• BHS Emergency Phone Numbers

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