Jefferson County Community Services

County Government Building
175 Arsenal Street
Watertown, NY 13601
Timothy Ruetten, MS, LMHC, CASAC	       Telephone (315) 785-3283			    Christina O’Neil    
          Director	 			   Fax (315) 785-5182				   Board Chairperson

										

Steps To Pursuing an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Court Order

1)	Please contact the Coordinator of Mental Health Services at (315)785-3283 or by e-mail at aruperd@co.jefferson.ny.us to request an AOT investigation. 
2)	The Mental Health Coordinator will conduct an AOT investigation with the individual’s Primary Therapist/Referent as well as others having knowledge of the individual. This also includes reviewing inpatient mental health records.
3)	If the individual meets the criteria for an AOT Court Order a Treatment Plan is developed and a Physician’s Evaluation is scheduled. Mental Hygiene Legal Services needs to be invited to this evaluation (very important). If they are not invited it may be thrown out of court and we will need to begin all over again. The County Attorney must be notified and aware of the case.
4)	Along with the Physician’s Evaluation the Physician completes a Medication Worksheet and those, along with the Treatment Agreement, are taken to the County Attorney’s Office by the Mental Health Coordinator. 
5)	The date the Physician’s Evaluation is completed begins the timeline to the actual court date. We have ten (10) days (calendar not business days) to have the County Attorney’s Office complete an affidavit for the Physician and the Director of Community Services to be signed and notarized.
6)	The County Attorney’s Office sends everything to the Supreme Court, this has to be done within the ten (10) days of the date of the Physician’s Evaluation.
7)	The Supreme Court has three (3) days (not to include Saturday and Sunday) to schedule a court date.
8)	The Physician testifies at the Court appearance, with the County Attorney as the legal representation. Mental Hygiene Legal Services represents the individual. The Coordinator of Mental Health or DCS should appear for the hearing.
9)	The Judge either grants the AOT Court Order or does not. He/She does not have the power to change the Treatment Agreement.

*If the Mental Health Services Coordinator is not available please contact the Director of
Community Services at (315) 785-3283 or by e-mail at truetten@co.jefferson.ny.us.*