Seeking Contract Attorneys to support Assisted Outpatient Treatment - *UPDATED

Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) is a civil court ordered program of delivering community-based treatment to adults with serious mental illness who are found by a judge, in consideration of prior incarcerations or hospitalizations, to be unlikely to adhere to prescribed treatment on a voluntary basis. It is a 2-way commitment that requires treatment providers to serve individuals at the same time it commits individuals to adhere to their treatment plans. Through the ritual of court hearings and the symbolic weight of a judge's order, AOT seeks to leverage a "black robe effect," motivating the individual to regard treatment adherence as a legal obligation.

Funded by a four-year grant with the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the City of Albuquerque’s AOT Program will serve a maximum of 60 individuals in the first year. Referrals for this program will primarily be from inpatient hospital facilities (Petitioner), such as the University of New Mexico’s Psychiatric Center and Kaseman Hospital. This program provides psychiatric and intensive comprehensive case management services, as well as monthly sessions with a judge to individuals with serious mental illness (Respondents) ordered for treatment by the Second Judicial District Court. The AOT case manager monitors the participant’s progress and compliance with the treatment plan in accordance with the court order. The AOT case manager reports to the court on the client’s condition and attends all court staffings and hearings.

The City of Albuquerque (City), through the Department of Family and Community Services, invites attorneys to submit letters of interest/proposals in accordance with specifications contained in the Request for Letters of Interest to establish a pool of qualified attorneys available to provide cost-effective, competent representation in the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program in the Second Judicial District consisting of Bernalillo County.  The City is seeking attorneys to provide legal representation of Petitioners and Respondents as  independent contractors. The City will select a pool of attorneys whose proposals indicate that they meet all of the minimum qualifications and requirements contained within the Request. All services will be performed in conjunction and in association with the AOT Program.  Cases will be assigned to Respondent’s counsel following the filing of a petition in the Second Judicial District Court, for those clients requesting representation.  Offerers must be in good standing to practice law by the New Mexico Supreme Court, and an active member of the Bar.  Proposals submitted pursuant to this Request will be accepted by the City on an ongoing basis until further notice in order to maintain a current listing of pre-qualified attorneys available to perform services for the AOT Program. The City will endeavor to review each proposal and respond to the Offeror within thirty (30) days of receipt of the proposal. A proposer who meets all of the City’s minimum qualification and requirements will be added to the pool of attorneys available for the assignment of work.  Please contact Ellen Braden, Division Manager, Behavioral Health and Wellness with questions at (505) 768-2788 or [email protected].

The Department anticipates the AOT Program to begin May 28, 2019, therefore an earlier submission is preferred and encouraged.  We will continue to accept letters on an ongoing basis.