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Mission Statement

IARC’s mission is to assess, serve and advocate for all people including those suffering from substance use disorders, mental illness and co-occurring disorders, to promote a healthy community.

Agency Regulation

Intake Assessment and Referral Center, Inc. (I.A.R.C.) is licensed by the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services through the Bureau of Health Systems Substance Abuse Program as a substance abuse assessment, referral and follow-up services (SARF) organization. A private-not for profit organization, we are accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Services (CARF).

The organization’s primary function is to conduct impartial screenings, assessments and referral services for persons seeking help for drug abuse or alcohol related problems. Services are supported by Block-Grant Funding, Medicaid and Medicare with funding being disbursed by Genesee County Community Mental Health Substance Abuse Coordinating Agency. I.A.R.C. is contracted to authorize and manage substance abuse treatment services for Genesee County Medicaid and Medicare recipients, as well as the uninsured and underinsured.

History of I.A.R.C.

The Intake Assessment and Referral Center, Inc. (I.A.R.C.) was organized in 1978 as a tax-exempt organization. I.A.R.C.at that time served as the substance abuse assessment program for The Genesee County Commission on Substance Abuse Services. The purpose(s) for which I.A.R.C. was formed was to act as the official receptor in Genesee County for drug and alcohol referrals from established referral sources and the community at large. I.A.R.C.'s responsibility included processing referrals and assigning referrals to the licensed substance abuse treatment agency that could best meet the needs of the referral. Other agencies in the community were to be used to assist the referrals with their problems.

In 1990 The Genesee County Department of Health assumed the role of Coordinating Agency for I.A.R.C. services. With a goal of "excellence" in mind, I.A.R.C. spent the next several years improving the quality of its services, ultimately gaining a reputation for excellence in conducting level of care screening and biological, psychological and social assessments (BPS). In fiscal year 1998, I.A.R.C. became a part of a countywide network of providers. The ultimate goal of the organization is to eliminate any and all obstacles in accessing substance abuse treatment.

In order to meet the goal of eliminating all barriers to treatment, the Coordinating Agency implemented the "electronic client-screening format." Software made it possible for clients to access IARC by telephone. The client was then assessed and referred to the appropriate treatment provider. Medical necessity for client placement is determined through the use of The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Patient Placement Criteria for the Treatment of Substance -Related Disorders-Second Edition.

Late in 2000 the IARC Board of Directors determined that a web site would increase citizen access to informational and clinical services. The web site Soberlinks.com was launched early in March, 2001 to accomplish this goal.

Further, in April 2006, the Coordinating Agency for Substance Abuse Services was merged with the Genesee County Community Mental Health System where it now resides.

In addition to screening and assessments, I.A.R.C. provides services such as Defensive Driving Classes; in-depth evaluations for drivers licenses reinstatement; student evaluations via school referrals, Michigan Department of Transportation Assessments; support services for the homeless and Women & Families Case Management Services.