Federal Report Threatens Assisted Outpatient Treatment

A recent GAO/HHS review labelled federal evaluations of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) 'inconclusive' even though independent studies (e.g., New York’s Kendra’s Law) show large reductions in homelessness, arrests, and hospitalizations for the target population. The federal evaluations relied largely on self‑reported data from brand‑new or nonfidelitous programs, so the 'inconclusive' finding reflects poor study design rather than strong evidence of ineffectiveness. — If federal evaluation work is used to curtail or defund AOT, communities could lose an evidence‑backed tool that reduces crises and improves public safety, shifting debate from evidence fidelity to ideological claims about involuntary treatment.