PROMISE Program
Providing Optimal Mental Health for Individuals through Supports and Empowerment
PROMISE stands for Promoting Optimal Mental Health for Individuals through Supports and Empowerment. The program helps people with serious, long-term mental illness live more independently in their community. Participants choose from approved services that meet their health and recovery needs.
PROMISE helps people improve their health and reach their recovery goals. Care teams work together to help people avoid stays in hospitals or other care facilities when they do not need them. This can also lower costs. The goal is to help each person live more independently and take an active part in their community.
Eligibility
To be eligible for PROMISE, participants must:
- Be over the age of 18
- Have a qualifying behavioral health diagnosis
- Meet needs-based criteria: either a moderate or severe functioning level on the Delaware-specific American Society for Addiction Medicine assessment tool that evaluates both mental health and substance use disorder conditions
- Continue to need at least one service or support in order to live and/or work independently
To apply for PROMISE services, call the Eligibility and Enrollment Unit (EEU) at 302-255-9460. You or someone helping you can call to see if you may qualify. You can also fill out the EEU Application.
If you may qualify, the EEU will refer you to one of three PROMISE Assessment Centers (PACs). Staff will review your needs and work with you to create a recovery plan based on your goals.
If you are approved, you will be referred to services that meet your needs. PROMISE Care Managers will check in with you to review your care and progress.
Community-based PROMISE services
Care Managers help people get PROMISE services. They check that each person receives the services in their Recovery Plan and that their health and safety needs are met. For people with Medicaid, the Care Manager also shares the care plan with their managed care organization (MCO).
PROMISE offers services for people with mental health needs, including those who also have a substance use disorder.
Residential services help people live safely, stay healthy, and remain part of their community. Care is provided in homes or facilities licensed by the state, based on each person’s Recovery Plan.
Support includes help with personal care, household tasks, and preparing meals. Staff are on site 24 hours a day to provide planned support and respond to unexpected needs.
These services follow each person’s Recovery Plan. They help people take part in their community and support their health, well-being, and safety. Services are provided in the person’s home and community, rather than in a place owned by the service provider.
Intensive Case Management (ICM)
This level offers the least intensive team support. A team of 10 specially trained staff serves about 200 people, or one staff member for every 20 people. The team provides mental health and substance use treatment. Staff also help with housing, benefits, work, and other needs.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
ACT provides more support than ICM. A team of 10 staff helps with mental health and substance use treatment, housing, benefits, work, and other needs. There is one staff member for every 10 people served. Staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to people’s needs.
Assertive Community Treatment Plus (ACT Plus)
ACT Plus follows most ACT guidelines but offers more flexible support for people who need a different approach. It often serves people who have been in jail or prison or have had several long hospital stays. Care is tailored to each person’s needs and includes help finding housing.
Residential Group Homes
Mental health group homes offer the highest level of care in PROMISE. They provide care 24 hours a day in a home shared with other residents.
Staff are always present to help with daily needs, such as bathing, dressing, meals, laundry, and household tasks. They also support mental and physical health needs and provide rides to appointments and activities.
PROMISE Assessment Centers
Each county has a PROMISE Assessment Center. To start PROMISE services or ask questions, call the Eligibility and Enrollment Unit (EEU) at 302-255-9460.
People already receiving PROMISE services, along with family, friends, and others who support them, can use the contact information below to reach their center directly.
PAC locations
252 Chapman Road
Suite 201
Newark, DE 19702
302-391-3500
805 River Road
Dover, DE 19901
302-857-5060
546 South Bedford Street
Suite 1209
Georgetown, DE 19947
302-515-3310
