Brandywine Counseling and Community Services

Frequently Asked Questions for Interns

Brandywine Counseling and Community Services

1. Name of agency.

Brandywine Counseling and Community Services

Lancaster Site

2713 Lancaster Avenue Wilmington, Delaware 19805

302.656.2348

1. What is the agency’s funding source and do clients have to pay for service?

Many of BCCS’s programs are funded by the State (Medicaid, Medicare and DSAMH) as well as State and Federal Grants. Clients only pay what they can afford for treatment. We do not turn people away for lack of payment. A small percentage of our funding is private.

1. What type of population does our agency serve? Number of clients the agency serves?

Our population is truly diverse. We service any person suffering from addictions and/or mental illness. Our population is adult (over 18) and we also offer bilingual services. We have 7 sites that service over 2000 Delaware residents in our treatment programs. The organization reaches thousands more a year through our well-known Education and Prevention programs.

1. What types of services does the agency offer?

We have an impressive selection of services. Core program offerings fall under one of four critical areas of care: Prevention, Education, Treatment and Advocacy. Our programs are comprehensive and accessible, personalized and result-oriented. We address the needs of all members of our community.

Throughout the agency we offer Medication Management (Methadone, Suboxone, Vivitrol), in coordination with a Court Supervised Drug Diversion Program, Outpatient and Group Therapy, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, an Intensive Day Program, NSAFE (HIV Case Management), WIT (Women in Transition – Our specialized program for women and children), Safety Net Services (a case management program for at-risk, recently released from incarceration, adults) as well as many Support Services such as Anger Management, and Outreach Services. We also have an inpatient residential program for women and children.

1. What geographic area does the agency serve?

We have sites in New Castle and Sussex counties. BCCS serves anyone over 18 who is a state resident.

1. Who or what are the sources of referral to the agency?

We receive referrals from almost all of the major state agencies such as: Delaware Criminal Justice System (Courts, Prison, Probation), Division of Family Services, Mental Health Programs (MeadowWood, Rockford), our Needle Exchange Program, our Outreach Department, Christiana Care Health Systems (we have an onsite program at Wilmington Hospital), NET detox and of course walk-ins and self referral.

1. What are the purposes and goals of the agency?

Our mission statement is: “Brandywine Counseling & Community Services is a communityorganization that provides holistic care to persons and their familiesliving with addiction, mental health, and HIV-related challenges.”Holistic, self-directed care is core to our philosophy. We address all areas of our customers’ lives: spiritual, physical, financial/employment, and education. We believe our customers are the directors of their own lives and we are here to assist them in their journey. Our values include Safety, Respect, Honesty, Responsibility, Support, and Innovation.

1. When did the agency originate? What was the reason for the agency starting? What was the original mandate, and is the present mandate different from the original?

We started as a methadone treatment center within Wilmington Medical Center as part of a partnership in 1968. Our agency became it’s own private non-profit called Brandywine Counseling & Diagnostic Center in 1985 to address a need in the community for Medication Assisted Treatment and HIV prevention and Education. Our current Mission is: Brandywine Counseling & Community Services is a community organization that provides holistic care to persons and their families living with addiction, mental health, and HIV-related challenges. Our mission has remained consistent, yet it has expanded under our new leadership to reflect the breadth of services we provide today to our target population.

1. How has the agency grown since its inception?

Our agency continues to grow. We are constantly assessing where we are and what we could be doing better, and how we can remain aware and responsive to the community’s needs. In the past two decades, we expanded our services and client census in response to increased need; most notably, services for women and their children, and community outreach. We have seen many individual clients come through the door, set goals, and achieve great success.

1. What are the future plans and goals of the agency?

We plan for sustainable growth while providing the best services available

to our clients.

1. Are there any other agencies in the area, which provide similar services, and have similar purposes, goals and mandates?

Yes, Horizon House, Kent County Counseling, and Connections provide similar services. BCCS stands out from our competitors in the successful outcomes for our clients and in the organizational improvements, like same day medication, we have made to support these outcomes. We have 25 years’ history of engaging people with chronic mental illness and/or drug use, retaining them for successful outcomes in treatment, and referring them to aftercare.

1. What other agencies are clients typically involved with?

Delaware Criminal Justice System (Courts, Prison, Probation), Division of Family Services, Christiana Care Health Systems, Department of Labor and Vocational Rehab, Department of Social Services, Department of health.

1. How many staff members work for you agency? What are the various roles for staff and what qualifications do employees have?

We have approximately 150 employees. Their roles typically fall between three categories; Clinical Care, Education, and Administrative staff.

Nearly 90% of the roles here require at least a bachelor’s degree. Qualifications related to clinical care always require a bachelor’s degree in a related field as well as any requirements set in place by our licensing and credentialing boards.

1. Does the agency use volunteers?

Yes, volunteers are used in a variety of ways. We attempt to match their interests with their activities. We utilize the help of volunteers in many ways from outreach to education, to administrative assistance.

1. Is there another agency or “parent organization” which supervises the operations of the agency.

No

1. Is there a board of directors?

Yes, they are listed on our website.

1. Is the agency licensed?

Yes, we are licensed by the state and accredited by the Joint Commission.

1. What is the role of the student in the agency?

Internships are case by case and assessed and managed on an individual basis. Our goal is to educate students and provide a safe environment where they are free to explore, ask questions, advocate and serve.