Screening Assessment and Referral Center (SARC)

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) Screening Assessment and Referral Center (SARC) serves as a uniform point of assessment, referral and linkage to Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment within the San Bernardino County. Previously, individuals seeking SUD treatment services relied upon community-based organizations, web-based, phone, or third-party systems to receive referrals to agency providers. The SARC fills a gap in the availability of existing services by serving as a uniform access point for referrals and linkages to appropriate and lowest level of care needed for those meeting criteria for SUD treatment services. The SARC program utilizes a transformative approach by employing evidenced-based practices; Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), assessment for substance use, mental health and co-occurring disorders and American Society of Addiction (ASAM) Criteria for placement. When appropriate, individuals seeking SUD services will be directly linked to adjoining mental health and co-occurring disorder services in order to strengthen treatment outcomes and meet holistic needs of individuals seeking services. Coordinating access, SARC enhances the level of citizen participation in government programs by providing education on available treatment options, linkage to resources and brief case management to minimize barriers to accessibility. Proven measureable results include improving intergovernmental cooperation by partnering with the Department of Children and Family Services to identify/work together to address needs of clients receiving multilayered county services.