Impact Community Supports has expanded its Community Connect 360 initiative across the state of Delaware, building on the success of a pilot program that began at the county level. Founder Michael McCline says the expansion represents an important step in improving how individuals and families connect with care.
The program began as an eight-month pilot in schools throughout New Castle County. During its initial phase, the initiative focused on youth substance use education and providing guidance to help students access support services when needed.
Rather than replacing disciplinary policies used by schools, the program was designed to complement them by introducing prevention education and structured referral pathways to trusted providers.
“The goal was always to make sure young people had a positive direction and that families could find the right support when they needed it,” McCline explains.
Community Connect 360 operates through a warm handoff model that connects individuals with existing community providers. Impact Community Supports does not provide treatment itself. Instead, the organization focuses on coordinating referrals to mental health and substance use professionals already serving the community.
McCline describes this strategy as part of the organization’s Communities of Solutions framework, which brings partners together to address shared challenges while allowing each organization to contribute its expertise.“The pilot produced encouraging results,” McCline says. “Eighty-five percent of youth participants reported satisfaction, and educators, counselors, and referral partners all shared positive feedback about the program.”
According to McCline, those results reinforced the importance of improving access to support services.“It showed us that when families have clear pathways to help, they are far more likely to engage,” he says.After the pilot phase concluded, Impact Community Supports secured funding through the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware Community Fund. That support enabled the organization to expand Community Connect 360 beyond its initial focus and launch the program statewide.
The initiative now addresses a broader range of needs, including mental health, behavioral health, and substance use support for youth, families, and members of the community.McCline says the expansion reflects a commitment to whole-person care.“Mental health, behavioral health, and substance use are closely connected,” he explains. “We have to consider all of those factors together when building access to support.”
Community Connect 360 now operates across Delaware’s three counties, strengthening referral networks and connecting community members with specialized providers. While the model remains focused on coordination rather than treatment, the network of available services has grown significantly.
Individuals who connect with the program can receive referrals to counseling providers, prevention programs, recovery services, and other forms of support.“We are not trying to duplicate services,” McCline says. “Our role is to help people find the right resources and make those connections easier.”
Impact Community Supports was founded in 2020 and works as a nonprofit coalition builder focused on safe communities, healthy individuals, and economic stability. Through its collaborative framework, the organization partners with schools, healthcare providers, workforce organizations, and nonprofit groups to address community challenges.
The expansion of Community Connect 360 represents a major step in that effort. McCline believes the initiative demonstrates how coordinated referrals can improve access to care across an entire state.“Our mission is centered on collaboration,” he says. “When people can easily connect with the support they need, communities become stronger and healthier.”
As the initiative continues to grow, Impact Community Supports is inviting schools, providers, and community organizations across Delaware to participate.“Strong communities are built through partnership,” McCline says. “Community Connect 360 is an opportunity for organizations across the state to work together to improve access to care.”
