Community of Practice

The CBHJ holds a monthly Community of Practice (COP) meeting to curate a collaborative and educational space where community mental health and other professionals who work with AOTs in their position can come and learn, troubleshoot issues, and make connections with other Michigan professionals.

The videos below are recordings of recent meetings that address best practices in AOT processes, pertinent information that may not readily available in day-to-day practice, and AOT frequently asked questions.


County Profile: AOT in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties
August 23, 2024

Presented by: Christy Granger, senior client service specialist with crisis services with adult mental health services for the Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton-Eaton-Ingham Counties

This Community of Practice discussion features Christy Granger, a senior client service specialist with crisis services with adult mental health services. She has 22 years of service with the Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton-Eaton-Ingham Counties. Granger discusses funding, collaboration with other systems, building relationships, and strategies in developing an AOT program.


AOT legislative updates
July 30, 2024

Presented by: Kristina Morgan, Behavioral Health Unit Liaison Manager from the Wayne County Probate Court, and Sojourner Jones, the Community/Law Enforcement Liaison from DWIHN

This assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) Community of Practice discussion covers legislative updates that could affect our work with AOT orders in Michigan. Presenters Kristina Morgan, Behavioral Health Unit Liaison Manager from the Wayne County Probate Court, and Sojourner Jones, the Community/Law Enforcement Liaison from DWIHN, talk about these legislative changes, their implications, and recent barriers experienced within AOT processes.


The value of status conferences
June 28, 2024

Presented by: Jennifer Kimmel, L.M.S.W., an AOT expert and consultant from Michigan’s Genesee County Health Systems and Mel Brothers, AOT Paralegal in Genesee County

In this Community of Practice, Jennifer Kimmel and Mel Brothers talk in depth about what a status conference is, how the process works in Genesee County, and what the benefits of conducting them are. In addition, they will touch on status conferences as an opportunity to celebrate a client’s success and adherence. These meetings are structured as the first half hour is presentation, and the last half hour being dialogue and a Q&A.


NGRI Part 2
April 26, 2024

Presented by: Jennifer Kimmel, L.M.S.W., an AOT expert and consultant from Michigan’s Genesee County Health Systems.

Join us as we talk more about NGRI (not guilty by reason of insanity) clients and their relationship to AOT orders. There are many questions that providers have about processes, issues with risk mitigation strategies, clients that move frequently from county to county and more. Kimmel helps our participants talk through problems, strategies, and needs for clarification.


AOT forms
March 22, 2024

Presented by: Kristina Morgan, M.B.A., an AOT expert, consultant, and court liaison from the Wayne County Probate Court.

Join our community of practice members as we talk through different barriers and disconnects with different court forms required in the assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) order process. Morgan helps us demystify the lack of nuance in certain forms, and we talk through problem-solving techniques with forms and working with the courts


Strategies for working with consumers on an AOT with substance use disorders
February 23, 2024

Presented by: Jennifer Kimmel, L.M.S.W., an AOT expert and consultant from Michigan’s Genesee County Health Systems.

Kimmel talks about different ways to engage clients who are non-compliant to treatment. She talks through the stages of change model that breaks down what stage a consumer can be in and what strategies are best in engagement based on what stage they are in.