Kelly’s Story

Kelly lives on a quiet tree-lined street with her husband, two sons, and an energetic puppy named Molly. Life is pretty good these days. In her own words, she has a decent job, a home, a car, and a supportive family – all things she never thought possible before entering SCO’s Morning Star residential program for women recovering from substance use.

Since the age of 13, Kelly had been hooked on alcohol. For the next 10 years, she struggled with severe alcoholism, heroin addiction, and all the terrible symptoms that go along with that. She tried every which way to control her use but failed over and over again. Institutions, hospitals, and psychiatric facilities became a normal part of life. At the age of 23, Kelly realized she was running out of options. She had no place to live, was unemployable, and had no way to provide for herself or her 4-year-old son, Joseph. That’s when she found SCO.

Kelly was 35 days sober for the first time in her adult life when she entered SCO’s residential program. This would be the first of many pivotal firsts. While in program, she learned about accountability and structure. She was introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous and attended off site treatment programs. She felt supported and heard by the women and staff at Morning Star and thrived in this environment.

Little by little, Kelly rebuilt her life. With the help of vocational counselors, she returned to school, received her high school diploma, and took clerical courses. She was thrilled when Joseph came to live with her on campus, working with SCO’s coaches and childcare team to hone her parenting skills. And she addressed her past traumas head on with mental health counseling at SCO’s Family Services Clinic.

Kelly credits her time in Morning Star as life-changing. She has been gainfully employed since leaving the program in 2012 and now works for a successful law firm. She found her soulmate in Rob and was married in 2015, and expanded her family with another son, Aidan, a few years later. She likes to say she is a work in progress – and we know there are plenty of firsts still ahead for Kelly.

← Back

Care Management

Health Home Care Management helps keep families healthier (children and adult family members.) An SCO Care Manager can help manage and coordinate health care, behavioral health and service needs for eligible participants. Think of a Care Manager as your point person for everyone involved in your child’s care.

What is a Health Home?

Health Home brochureA Health Home is not a building or a place. It is a team of professionals who work together to make sure all of your family’s joint and individual needs are being met. The care team is led by an SCO Health Home Care Manager who becomes the point person for everyone involved in your family’s care.

Read our brochure»

What does a Care Manager do?

Health home puzzleThe Care Manager helps manage and coordinate health care, behavioral health and service needs, working with each family to develop a care plan that lists the needs and goals along with the providers and services needed to reach those goals. As a member of SCO Care Management, you and your child will receive a person-centered, family-focused approach to your care coordination and health promotion services, driven by the needs identified by you and your family (such as education, housing, employment, income, food, child care, community support) in order to promote overall health and wellness. Your SCO Care Manager is your partner in helping you manage your family’s overall health care needs.

Why do I need a Health Home?

A child or young adult may see many health professionals from different agencies and at multiple locations. It can be very difficult to coordinate all of that care. With SCO Care Management, a Care Manager is there to help you. He or she will make sure everyone has a full picture of your family member’s needs, goals, and progress. This will lead to better results, better care, and can help avoid trips to the emergency room.

Who is eligible?

All family members (birth to end-of-life) who are eligible for Medicaid and have certain medical or behavioral health conditions may qualify for a Health Home. This includes children and young adults in SCO’s foster care, preventive, mental health, educational, medical and residential programs. In certain situations, the caregiver of an eligible child may also be eligible to receive Health Home services.

There are no out of pocket costs to participate in a Health Home and receive Care Management services. It is covered under Medicaid.

How do I sign up?

Call the Health Home enrollment hotline at 718.674.7703 or email us at healthhome@sco.org.

SCO Care Management Referral Packet»

This program is associated with...

A Vibrant Brownsville

Brownsville, Brooklyn is a vibrant, evolving, and unique neighborhood; and SCO is proud of our partnership with the community for over three decades.  Read More

Madonna Heights

Providing an environment that teaches, strengthens and encourages young and adult women to heal from trauma. Read More

Success Stories

Kelly’s Story

Kelly lives on a quiet tree-lined street with her husband, two sons, and an energetic puppy named Molly. Life is pretty good these days. In her own words, she has a decent job, a home, a car, and a supportive family – all things she never thought possible before entering… Learn More

H. Craig Treiber

"The diversity and impact of the services provided make me proud to support the organization.” Learn More

100%

of eligible residents at our Dix Hills Residential Treatment Facility participated in work, internship, or volunteer activities

99%

of at-risk families throughout Brooklyn & Queens remained together and stable with family support services

Stay in the loop

Subscribe to the SCO Newsletter to hear the latest on SCO’s programs, people, and happenings.