“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
The Power of Family Traditions During the Holidays
November 21, 2025
As Thanksgiving approaches, many families look forward to traditions that bring them together. A favorite meal. A shared prayer. A walk after dinner. A familiar … Read more
Supporting Siblings of Children with Special Needs
November 10, 2025
Honoring National Family Caregivers Month When a child has special needs, the entire family’s life can be shaped by care, routines, and emotional ups and … Read more
Coping with a Chronic Illness Diagnosis
October 23, 2025
A chronic illness affects more than your physical health. It also impacts your mental health and emotional well-being. When you’re diagnosed with a chronic illness, … Read more
Navigating Family Stress During Elections
October 17, 2025
Election seasons can stir up strong emotions such as hope, anxiety, frustration, and even fear. When those emotions enter family conversations, relationships can quickly become … Read more
Why Standing Up to Bullying Impacts Mental Health
October 8, 2025
Bullying isn’t just “kids being kids.” Its impact can be long-lasting, contributing to anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation that follow someone well into adulthood. … Read more
The Importance of Peer Support in Suicide Prevention
September 12, 2025
Every September, Suicide Prevention Month reminds us that hope and healing are possible—and that none of us should walk through pain alone. One of the … Read more
How Art Therapy Helps in Addiction Recovery
September 3, 2025
September is National Recovery Month, a time to honor the strength of individuals and families on the journey of recovery and to highlight treatment pathways … Read more
Stop The Stigma on Overdose Awareness Day
August 31, 2025
On Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, we pause to remember the lives lost, support grieving families, and shine a light on a crisis that affects … Read more
Rebuilding Trust: Supporting Families Affected by Addiction
August 25, 2025
Can we ever trust again? It’s a question that echoes through the hearts of families affected by addiction. Broken promises, missed milestones, and painful memories … Read more
Your College Mental Health Toolkit
August 19, 2025
Heading back to campus is exciting—new classes, new friends, and a fresh start. But the transition to college also brings new challenges. Between academic pressures, … Read more
How Faith and Spirituality Support Mental Health
July 29, 2025
This Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we honor the deep connection between faith, spirituality and mental health recovery, especially in BIPOC … Read more
Mental Health Support for Immigrant Communities
July 25, 2025
Each July, we recognize Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced … 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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