Blended Case Management (BCM) is a service that is provided to children, adolescents and adults with serious and persistent mental health concerns. Blended case managers assist consumers in creating service plans that are designed to help them reach specific life goals. These plans identify and focus on our consumer’s strengths as a way to work towards goal-oriented outcomes. Blended case managers assist the consumer by monitoring and coordinating services across multiple spectrums. The program is designed to assist consumers in accessing much needed community resources such as mental and physical health care, housing, educational & vocational programs, and other additional valuable services.

Who is eligible to receive case management services?

Per regulatory requirements, to be eligible for services, recipients of Blended Case Management (BCM) service must:

  1. Have a mental health diagnosis
  2. Have a mental health treatment history that includes at least one of the following:
  • For Adults:
  1. 6 or more days of psychiatric inpatient treatment in the past 12 months
  2. Has met standards for involuntary treatment within the past 12 months
  3. Is currently needing or already receiving mental health services and also in need of services from 2 or more other human service agencies or public systems such as drug and alcohol, vocational rehabilitation, criminal justice, etc.
  4. Has had at least 3 missed community mental health appointments with providers or 2 or more face to face contacts with emergency services within the past 12 months
  5. Inability to maintain a medication regimen for a period of at least 30 days
  • For Children / Adolescents:
  1. 6 or more days of psychiatric inpatient treatment in the past 12 months
  2. Without BCM services, would result in a placement in a community inpatient unit, state mental hospital or other out of home placement including foster homes or juvenile court placement
  3. Is currently needing or already receiving mental health services and also in need of services from 2 or more other human service agencies or public systems such as drug and alcohol, vocational rehabilitation, criminal justice, etc.

Who can receive BCM services with Scranton Counseling Center?

  • Residents of Lackawanna or Susquehanna Counties who meet eligibility criteria
  • Ages 3+

What is the role of a Blended Case Manager?

  • The primary role of a case manager is to work collaboratively with an individual / family in a time limited manner to help them set and achieve goals and foster independence
  • Case managers can help consumers:
    • Access necessary behavioral health, medical and dental supports
    • Connect to benefits such as SSI / SSDI and SNAP
    • Find and maintain employment
    • Combat barriers that may impede a child’s ability to attend school regularly
    • Work through legal / forensic issues
    • Build a stronger support system
    • By intervening in crisis situations
    • By serving as an advocate for them in accessing appropriate care

What are some optimal outcome indicators of successful case management?

  • Increased time in the community (i.e. time spent out of the hospital, incarceration, long-term residential placement)
  • Decreased usage of crisis services
  • Increased adherence to recommended treatment
  • Increased successful diversions from inpatient hospitalizations
  • Decreased forensic involvement
  • Increased housing stability
  • Successful vocational / educational outcomes
  • Improved quality of life
  • Enhanced ability to provide “self-case management”
  • Increased ability to self-monitor and self-manage the illness and medication regime

For Children / Adolescents:

  • Increased school attendance
  • Enhanced collaboration between mental health services and educational teams to foster academic growth and emotional wellness
  • Decreased out of home placements