“There are always opportunities for growth because there are so many unique perspectives brought to the table. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, there have been moments where my voice was put at the center of a team meeting because it mattered.”
Ren Pelley
HEART Manager and Peer Specialist
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Family Service of Burlington County
The Beginning
A small group of volunteers in Moorestown, New Jersey, created Family Service of Burlington County to provide counseling and emergency intervention to adults, children and families. Working from donated space, volunteers made support available around the clock to people who had nowhere else to turn.
1970s–2011
Building a Network of Care
Expanding to Meet Community Needs
As community needs changed, Family Service continued to grow. By 2011, the organization offered 65 behavioral health programs across nine counties in southern and central New Jersey.
2012
Family Service and Steininger Behavioral Care Services
Becoming Twin Oaks Community Services
Family Service merged with Steininger Behavioral Care Services to form Twin Oaks Community Services.
The new name reflected the strength of the oak tree: deeply rooted in the community, continually growing and reaching outward through many branches of service. Within three years, Twin Oaks expanded to more than 120 programs, including outpatient care, housing, residential programs, food assistance, case management and community-based support.
2015
Twin Oaks and Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare
Oaks Integrated Care Is Formed
Twin Oaks Community Services merged with Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare to become Oaks Integrated Care.
The merger expanded services in Mercer County and strengthened the organization’s focus on integrated care—supporting the emotional, physical and social needs that contribute to a person’s overall well-being.
2016
Preferred Behavioral Health Group
Strengthening Our Reach
Preferred Behavioral Health Group joined the Oaks family as an affiliate, expanding access to services in Monmouth and Ocean counties while continuing to operate as an independent organization.
2021
COPE Center
Growing in North Jersey
Oaks Integrated Care merged with COPE Center, a behavioral health organization serving Essex County. The partnership expanded Oaks’ reach in North Jersey and brought together two organizations committed to supporting individuals and families facing some of life’s greatest challenges.
2025
Association for Advancement of Mental Health (AAMH)
Expanding Care in Princeton
Oaks Integrated Care merged with the Association for Advancement of Mental Health (AAMH), a Princeton-based behavioral health organization serving the greater Mercer County community. The merger expanded behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults and seniors.
Testimonials
Care That Speaks for Itself
Hear from families, professionals, and team members who’ve experienced the Encore Life Care difference firsthand.
The Encore Life Care team was an enormous source of support for our family when our mother began declining at age 75 from the devastating effects of Parkinson’s disease.
Kate Kelliher
Takoma Park, MD
My brother and I couldn’t be more grateful for the compassionate care my father received. Without their guidance, navigating the aging process would have been overwhelming.
Sam S.
NW Washington, DC
My mother needed in-home care and their guidance truly helped us. They listened, offered options and got us through some tough times. I’ll be forever grateful.
Tony Gray
Bethesda, MD
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Why Stigma Prevents People From Seeking Help
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The Connection Between Basic Needs and Mental Health
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What to Expect When Starting Therapy for the First Time
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CMS ACCESS Model Accelerates Behavioral Health Value-Based Care
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Oaks Integrated Care Selected as CMS ACCESS Model Behavioral Health Provider April 17, 2026 | DistilINFO: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched … Read more
How Stress Affects Sleep, Mood, and Focus
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Stress is the human body’s natural response to life’s challenges. Stress can even be productive in short bursts when it helps you stay alert and … Read more
CMS announces 150 participants for upcoming ACCESS model launch
April 14, 2026
Oaks Selected as ACCESS model Behavioral Health Provider April 14, 2026 | Healthcare IT News: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said it has … Read more
Is It Stress or Anxiety? How to Tell the Difference
April 7, 2026
Stress and anxiety are closely related. They may feel the same and have overlapping symptoms, like feeling overwhelmed, irritability, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating. But … Read more
What to Say (and What Not to Say) to Someone Who’s Struggling
March 25, 2026
If you suspect a loved one is struggling with their mental health, or they open up to you about thoughts and feelings that are causing them … Read more
How Social Workers Uplift, Defend, and Transform Lives Every Day
March 23, 2026
Social Work Month was first celebrated in March of 1963 to support social workers and their mission – “to enhance human well-being, meet the basic … Read more
Breaking Down Common Myths About Developmental Disabilities
March 11, 2026
Misconceptions, false assumptions, and misunderstandings about developmental disabilities often lead to stigma and barriers for individuals and families. This can keep people from receiving the … Read more
How to Know When It’s Time to Seek Mental Health Support
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How to Know When It’s Time to Seek Mental Health Support
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How to Know When It’s Time to Seek Mental Health Support
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