Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Official Website

BCARES - Help for Overdose Survivors

Bucks County Connect. Assess. Refer. Engage. Support (BCARES) is a warm handoff collaboration between the six Bucks County hospital emergency departments and an assigned Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) for individuals who have survived an opioid overdose. Through BCARES, opioid overdose survivors are offered a direct connection from the emergency department to treatment and recovery support services.

BCARES will also serve any individual with any substance use disorder who is being treated in one of the six Bucks County hospital emergency departments, or who are admitted to other units within those hospitals. The CRS will provide recovery support, education, resources and treatment options. Families and significant others are also provided with support and resources.

BCARES graphic_December
 
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. 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.

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 treatment options.

BCARES Family Connect

The goal of BCARES Family Connect is to support families and loved ones of persons suffering with substance use disorders by sharing their lived experiences and connecting loved ones to resources to help them in their journey. Family Connect volunteers are available 24/7, either in person (at most hospitals) or by telephone, to support families of overdose survivors who are waiting with their loved one in an emergency department.

Health Care Professionals Opposing Stigma 

A component of the BCARES Initiative is Health Care Professionals Opposing Stigma. These health care professionals share with the hospital staff their recovery stories and lessons learned through education and support. They also provide information about stigma, recovery language, the impact to the hospitals and resources for recovery.

The individual stories from health care professionals affected by substance use disorder focus on:

  • Sharing their recovery journey
  • Breaking the stigma of substance use disorder
  • Challenges that contribute to addiction among the health care professionals
  • How to support health care professionals struggling with recovery
  • Professionals risks – losing one's license/employment
  • Barriers to recovery
  • Crossing the line – “I should have known better”

BCARES Participants


Hospital


Corresponding CRS Agency
      
  • Jefferson Bucks Hospital - 215-949-5000
    •   
  • St. Mary Medical Center - 215-710-2000


The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.
1-800-221-6333   (M-F 9 am – 5 pm)
4459 W. Swamp Road, Doylestown, PA 18902
      
  • Lower Bucks Hospital - 215-785-9200


Gaudenzia, Inc. Lower Bucks
267-405-6530
501 Bath Road, Bristol, PA 19007
      
  • Grand View Hospital - 215-453-4000

  • Doylestown Hospital - 215-345-2200
    •   
  • St. Luke’s Hospital Quakertown - 215-538-4500


Penn Foundation, Inc.
215-257-6551
807 Lawn Avenue, Sellersville, PA 18960