Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)

About Laura's Law

Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), also known as Laura's Law (AB1421 and WIC 5345), is a program designed to provide treatment for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness who require support to prevent substantial deterioration of their condition, and who may pose a risk to themselves and/or others. 

Humboldt County Behavioral Health has partnered with Environmental Alternatives (EA) to provide the AOT program to Humboldt County residents. 

Outpatient Treatment Criteria

Humboldt County implemented and began Assisted Outpatient Treatment Services in July 2022. AOT provides mental health treatment services and support for adult clients who meet the following criteria:

• County resident who is at least 18 years old
• Has a Serious Mental Disorder (WIC 5600.3)
• Is unlikely to survive safely in the community
• Has shown a lack of compliance with treatment indicated by:
  • Instances of incarceration and/or psychiatric hospitalization
  • Serious and violent acts, threats, attempts to harm self/others.
• Has been offered an opportunity to participate in treatment and failed to engage or refused
• Has a condition that is deteriorating
• AOT would be the least restrictive placement
• Necessary to prevent 5150 condition
• Referred person will benefit from treatment.

Request for Service

A request for these services may come from one of the following:

• An adult who the person lives with
• Family members including adult children, parents, siblings or spouse
• Law enforcement, parole or probation officer
• The director of a public or private agency providing mental health services to the person
• The hospital director who is providing psychiatric care to the person
• A licensed mental health provider who is treating or supervising the person.

Evaluation & Referrals

If you would like to refer someone for Assisted Outpatient Treatment, please contact Humboldt County Behavioral Health at 707-476-4074 or email AOT@co.humboldt.ca.us. 

You may also fill out the AOT Referral Form (PDF) and email it to AOT@co.humboldt.ca.us, or drop it off at 720 Wood St., Eureka, CA 95501, Attn: AOT Analyst.

Humboldt County Behavioral Health staff, in collaboration with the Behavioral Health director, will determine whether to proceed with a referral to EA for Assisted Outpatient Treatment. 

Once referred to EA, staff will conduct outreach to engagement in order to meet the individual, describe the program and begin services. Some individuals are required to attend a court hearing where a Superior Court judge can order the consumer to follow a court-ordered treatment plan.  Most consumers voluntarily accept mental health services, rather than court order.