Onondaga County

Katy Boots, LMSW

AOT Coordinator

(315) 435-7711 ext.4224

Email: KatyBoots@ongov.net

Onondaga County Mental Health Services has a AOT Coordinator and a team of staff that work with other community agencies to ensure access to services.  The AOT team provides assessment and monitoring of court ordered community-based treatment.

• Administers Kendra’s Law, Mental Hygiene Law 9.60
• Adults With serious mental illness, Lack of compliance with treatment, History/High risk of violence
• Unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision
• Connect to supports and services to help person remain safely in the community
• All other interventions have been attempted

The intent of Kendra’s Law is to increase the likelihood that high-risk individuals with serious mental illness will engage in treatment services that will best meet their needs. Some individuals may enter into a voluntary agreement with the county, allowing them the opportunity to participate in treatment services without a court order that requires them to comply.  Other individuals may be court-ordered to comply with treatment and supportive services.

Intensive case management services are an essential part of court-ordered treatment. The court may also order a person to keep outpatient mental health and chemical dependency appointments, take medication and live in a specific residential setting.

Before a court may order AOT, it must be clear that AOT is the least restrictive alternative for the person. Thus, if a less restrictive program or plan for treatment exists that could effectively deal with the person’s mental illness; the court will not issue an order for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT).

For more information, please visit:

New York State Office of Mental Health website.

Download the Outpatient Treatment Brochure Here