Mental Health Services
Eligibility and Enrollment Unit
The Eligibility and Enrollment Unit (EEU) functions as the “gatekeeper” for the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health’s (DSAMH) long term care system. DSAMH offers a variety of long term care services ranging from residential treatment programs for individuals with substance abuse disorders to Community Continuum of Care programs. The latter offers intensive community based mental health services and supports that promote the independence and recovery of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
Individuals who wish to enroll in a DSAMH long-term care program must apply for services through the Eligibility and Enrollment Unit. The EEU evaluates each individual’s need for these services based on a variety of criteria such as diagnosis, their history of mental illness and/or substance abuse, history of previous hospitalizations, and their ability to successfully function independently in the community. When the EEU determines that a person is eligible for long term care services, they will authorize a specific quantity of services and link the eligible person to a community provider.
Eligibility and Enrollment Unit Procedures
Once linked to a program, the EEU will monitor the services provided to a person, periodically reviewing how well the program is meeting the needs of the individual and determine if the person requires additional services from the long term care provider or could be better served in a less intensive service setting.
The Eligibility and Enrollment Unit may be contacted at: (302) 255-9458
Community Mental Health Clinics
DSAMH manages four Community Mental Health Clinics throughout the State. They include the following locations:
- Sussex County: 546 S. Bedford Street, Georgetown,Delaware (302) 856-5490
- Kent County: Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover, Delaware (302) 857-5060
- New Castle County, 261 Chapman Rd., Suites 101 and 102, Newark, Delaware (302) 453-4101
- New Castle County: 1906 Maryland Avenue, Canby Park, Wilmington, Delaware (302) 778-6900
Each clinic is open daily, 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. The clinics provide a variety of psychiatric and support services for individuals facing a serious mental illness. The services at these centers include: psychiatric crisis intervention, short and long term counseling, psychiatric evaluation and treatment, medication management, information referral and assistance in obtaining pertinent entitlements and access to other community providers.
Community Continuum of Care Programs
There are four Community Continuum of Care Programs (CCCP) in
- Sussex County: Fellowship Health Resources
- Kent County: Psychotherapeutic Services Inc.
- New Castle County: Horizon House and Connections, CSP.
The CCCP is a comprehensive, integrated recovery approach to working with people diagnosed with severe and persistent psychiatric disabilities (and sometimes a co-occurring drug and alcohol addiction). By partnering with those using the service, CCCP staff helps to identify goals that are meaningful to the person’s recovery. The CCCP programs provide a comprehensive array of resource/service management supports that includes: clinical and rehabilitation services, employment and educational rehabilitation and supports, 24/7 crisis response, full-time psychiatrists, housing assistance, coordination of care with other community providers such as an individuals medical doctor, and supports for families. The CCCP approach allows individuals to remain within one service system in which all services are provided by the same staff.
The Eligibility and Enrollment Unit at DSAMH can answer questions regarding the CCCP programs and is responsible for determining if someone is eligible for CCCP services. To contact the Eligibility and Enrollment Unit, call (302) 255-9458
Residential Programs
DSAMH supports a variety of housing programs throughout the State to assist individuals with serious mental illness with short and long terms housing solutions. There are three main housing programs. These include Group Homes and Supervised Apartments and a Residential Treatment Facility for individuals with co-occuring mental health and substance abuse conditions.
There are currently 17 groups scattered through the State. The DSAMH Eligibility and Enrollment Unit manages eligibility for these programs. These programs provide qualified individuals with a safe and supportive home, assist residents in their daily activities and coordinate the services of residents with other community supports. Whenever possible, the goal of the Group Homes is to assist the resident in becoming as independent as possible.
In addition to Group Homes, DSAMH supports 9 Supervised Apartment programs in Delaware's three counties. These programs offer 24-hour support and assistance, coordinate care needs with appropriate community providers and assist residents in their recovery to greater independence.
Finally, DSAMH supports a residential treatment facility for individuals with co-occuring mental and substance abuse conditions. This facility, located on the Governor Bacon Campus, provides services to 15 individuals, offering supports, treatment, and transition services into independent community living.
The Eligibility and Enrollment Unit at DSAMH can answer questions regarding these residential programs and is responsible for determining if someone is eligible for CCCP services. To contact the Eligibility and Enrollment Unit, call 1-302-255-9458
Services for Individuals who are Homeless:
The “Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness” program or PATH is a federally funded program whose purpose is to provide services to adult individuals with serious mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance abuse disorders, who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. The main goals of the PATH programs are to identify individuals who are homeless and have a mental illness and assist them in accessing a variety of services, include treatment and support for the individual’s mental illness, access to drug and alcohol programs if appropriate and assistance in obtaining entitlement as well as temporary and permanent housing.
Acute In-patient Psychiatric Services:
Individuals with severe mental illness may experience periods of psychiatric instability during which they and/or their actions may pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. Often the most helpful and appropriate service for individuals in an acute crisis, is short term crisis stabilization in a psychiatric hospital. This program will assist the individual through their crisis and help in their transition back into the community. Individuals who may be in a psychiatric crisis should contact the DSAMH 24 hour hotline. The trained hotline staff will assist the individual in accessing the services he/she may need.
