News Releases from Department of Health

Do you or someone you know need access to substance use disorder treatment? 

The Hawai‘i Coordinated Access Referral Entry System, or Hawai‘i CARES, is the state’s new multiple entry-point and coordinating center for treatment and recovery support services. This new initiative includes a call and referral center and a universal intake process designed to improve access to quality care for people who are living with substance use disorder.

“This centralized approach improves our ability to identify and track individuals seeking treatment and better assess their needs,” said Eddie Mersereau, Deputy Director of the Behavioral Health Administration. “We can also now more readily identify beds within the network of residential treatment providers, which helps cut down on wait time and accelerate entry into treatment programs.” 

The center is operated by trained clinical staff who coordinate all care within the network of contracted treatment providers in the community, facilitating entry into the system of care, transitions in care, and other treatment resources.

Hawai‘i CARES is a collaboration between the Department of Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work. The program was soft-launched on October 1, 2019 with partner agencies and contracted treatment providers, with full implementation anticipated in January 2020.

For treatment and referral to services, call Hawai‘i CARES at (808) 832-3100 or toll-free (800) 753-6879. Hawai‘i CARES uses the existing Crisis Line Hawaii to provide its services Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.