BHcare Community Services offer the highest quality, individualized care whenever and wherever it is needed. Participants have access to services and supports that address functional impairments affecting their abilities to live independently in their communities. The services focus on skill acquisition and mastery, environmental adaptations to support recovery, and accessing resources. Services are offered in locations that meet participants’ needs. Such locations may include individuals’ homes, hospitals, shelters, correctional facilities and other community locations. Community Services has three main components: Adult Community Support Services, Young Adult Services, and Housing Services. In addition, specialized services are available to individuals affected with co-occurring disorders system and individuals with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

Following best practices in our field, BHcare emphasizes learning and skill-building, so clients can become more independent. We believe individuals with mental health and co-occurring disorders (mental health and substance use) can recover and lead full lives in their communities. The supports provided by Community Support Specialists and Recovery Support Specialists uphold that philosophy, by providing services that are:

• Individualized
• Consumer-driven
• Recovery-oriented
• Based on skill building for independent living

Our two levels of care for Adult CSS are: Community Supports and Recovery Supports, which differ in two main ways:
1. How often you receive services
2. The types of services you receive

What does it mean to work with a Community Support Specialist?

• You will benefit from skill building (in areas such as budgeting, scheduling appointments, learning to take transportation on your own, etc.) to help you maintain or increase your independence
• You will benefit from regular assistance and supports in which you will identify and engage in activities that support your recovery (at least 3 contacts per month for a total of 3 hours)
• If you have some difficulty reaching out for support services when necessary, you may need intervention and assistance managing personal supports for your substance abuse or high-risk behaviors
  In general, if you work with Community Support Specialists, you will have more identified needs and receive more hours of rehabilitation services. However, as you learn new skills and become more independent, you may then step down to less intensive services and work with a Recovery Support Specialist.

What does it mean to work with a Recovery Support Specialist?

• You have the skills necessary to live successfully in the community
• You need only occasional supports and assistance (at least 1 to 2 contacts per month for at least 1 hour)
• You are engaged in services and are willing to reach out for supports and services when necessary
• You may need some occasional support to identify and engage in activities that support your recovery
• You may have substance use and risk behaviors that are managed with personal supports or minimal intervention
  In general, if you work with Recovery Support Specialists you will receive less-intensive, step-down rehabilitative services. However, if you have a difficult time managing in the community, you may speak with your Recovery Support Specialist to see if you would benefit from more intensive services, since you can move between the two levels of care based on your needs.

What you can expect from CSS

• You will learn to do things independently as a result of our new-skill-building approach
• You will participate in developing and reviewing your recovery plan every 3 months
• You will be able to make goals that you choose and decide what you would like to learn
• You will receive many services in your home or community settings to make it easier for you to practice new skills
• You will be able to discuss any concerns regarding your services with your Community/Recovery Support Specialist, Clinical Team Leader or their supervisors when necessary.

What CSS will expect from you

• We expect that you will participate in individual and group skill building in the community to become more independent
• We expect that you will be on time for your appointments and regular in your attendance, notifying staff if you will be late or unable to keep an appointment
• We expect that you will respect the confidentiality of other individuals.

The Young Adult Services program serves young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. The YAS program is designed to serve as a bridge between the children’s and adult service systems. YAS community support specialists provide case management services, skill building, and assistance with vocational/educational goals. A drop-in center for social activities is also provided.

For those young adults who live independently, some housing funds are available to assist them with rental payments and purchasing items necessary for an apartment, so they can live successfully in the community. Furthermore, young adults can participate in either individual or group skill building sessions to further increase their independence.

Eligibility – Participants in YAS program must be 18 to 25 years of age, reside in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Shelton or Oxford, and be diagnosed with a mental illness.

One of the basic requirements in establishing a strong foundation for a successful recovery is safe, affordable housing. To that end, BHcare has secured resources to provide a variety of supportive housing settings to the homeless or “at risk of being homeless”. These include subsidized Next Steps slots; slots with subsidies from HUD; subsidized slots for families, young adults and low-income people; subsidized HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS); and PILOTS slots. Support services are provided to assist people with being good tenants and obtaining the skills necessary to be successful in their own apartments.

BHcare employs a full-time Outreach Worker through its PATH program to provide outreach and engagement services to persons who are homeless. The staff provides assessments to determine what referrals should be made to link individuals with appropriate ongoing supports that assist them with securing and maintain housing. BHcare also employs Peer Engagement Specialists who provide outreach and engagement services to people who have had difficulties in accepting or seeking necessary supports through the traditional service system.

BHcare provides space and facilitators to a variety of Self Help Groups including Dual Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, Nicotine Anonymous, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA),and Emotions Anonymous. The Social Clubs also offer classes in Wellness Recovery Action Plans and Pathways to Recovery.

The Valley Peer/Family Advisory Committee meets once a month to provide support, education and first-hand knowledge about the services and programs of BHcare. The Shoreline Parents and Families Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month to provide support, answer questions and discuss pertinent topics; this group is facilitated by a licensed clinician.

The Shoreline Parents & Families Support Group is staffed by a BHcare clinician and is open to all parents, family members and caregivers of HHSI clients. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month in group room B at 14 Sycamore Way, Branford from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For more information email Sara.

NAMI Shoreline Friends & Families Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month in the large conference room at 14 Sycamore Way, Branford from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Call for more information:
Mary Alice (203) 481-8695
Lois (203) 453-9793