BCHIP’s involvement and ongoing support of BCARES serves as a keystone for collaboration among the many partners involved in the program and is a model for how health systems and community behavioral health programs can work together to achieve better outcomes in Bucks County.
BCARES Warm Handoff provides a direct, seamless connection from the hospital to drug and alcohol treatment and recovery supports for individuals who have survived an overdose or are experiencing substance use disorder. Through BCARES, individuals receive recovery support, education, resources, and a direct transition from the emergency department or other hospital units to an assigned Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS).
A CRS is an individual in long-term recovery who has completed specialized training and passed a certification exam. Certified Recovery Specialists use their lived experience to support individuals with substance use disorders, offering guidance, encouragement, and connection to appropriate treatment options.
BCARES serves individuals with any substance use disorder who are receiving care in one of the six Bucks County hospitals. Families and significant others are also provided with education, resources, and ongoing support.
BCARES is available 24/7 and serves all Bucks County hospitals.
Program enhancements include BCARES Family Connect and Healthcare Professionals Opposing Stigma, further strengthening support for individuals, families, and healthcare providers.
WHO DOES BCARES SERVE?
- Individuals who have survived an opioid overdose
- Individuals with any substance use disorder who are in a Bucks County hospital
- Families and significant others
- Hospital staff
HOW DOES BCARES WORK?
BCARES is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the six Bucks County hospitals. For an overdose survivor, the hospital emergency department will make a referral directly to the CRS. The CRS will meet face-to-face with the person, and will connect them directly to resources, recovery supports and treatment options. If the person accepts direct treatment from the hospital, the CRS will locate a treatment provider and arrange for transportation. The CRS will continue to follow-up with the person for 30 days following the overdose.
For opioid overdose survivors, BCARES will serve any individual in a Bucks County hospital, regardless of their county of residence or insurance status. The Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. will fund the first 3 days of treatment for an opioid overdose survivor, regardless of their insurance. Once the individual is in the treatment facility, the facility will explore funding for ongoing treatment.
For individuals who are not overdose survivors, but who do use substances, hospital staff will make a referral to the CRS. The CRS will then meet face-to-face with the person, and will provide recovery support, education, resources and will discuss various treatment options.
BCARES Family Connect is made up of a group of family members who all have a loved one with a substance use disorder. The goal of Family Connect is to support families and loved ones of persons suffering with substance use disorders by sharing their lived experiences and connecting them to resources to help in their journey. Family Connect volunteers are available 24/7, either in the hospital emergency department waiting room (at most hospitals), or by telephone, text, email or in person in the community. CONTACT Family Connect volunteers can be reached via email at BCARESFamilyConnect@gmail.com.
Kimberly S. London, Drug & Alcohol Specialist, Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. | 215-444-2729 | kslondon@buckscounty.org.
