History of Phoenix Care Systems, Inc.

1972 - The Beginning

Willowglen Academy, the original company of the current Phoenix Care Systems, Inc. was developed in order to provide comprehensive and highly-structured treatment to children, adolescents, and their families through an array of residential and educational services. The name "Willowglen" came from the first facility, a former nursing home with large willow trees in front of the property. It was founded in 1972 and began operations in Plymouth, Wisconsin in 1973. Through the ensuing years, Willowglen Academy expanded to several other facilities, primarily located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Within the first decade of operations in Wisconsin, Willowglen became recognized by professionals across the country for its expertise in the care and treatment of individuals with a dually diagnosed profile. Since its inception, Willowglen has focused primarily on meeting the challenges presented by a lack of community-based resources for persons with complex clinical issues.

1975 - Expansion to Belwood, Ltd.

Increased demands to access its highly specialized services provided the impetus for Willowglen Academy to take on the challenge of program enhancement and expansion for children and adolescents with handicapping conditions, young adults (ages 18-21), and chronically mentally ill adults and the geriatric population. The first of these expansions occurred in 1975, with the inclusion of services to the adult mentally ill under the corporate name of Belwood, Ltd.

1976 - Expansion to Bell Therapy, Inc.

By 1976, clinical, day and outpatient services were added under Bell Therapy, Inc. Bell Therapy Community Support Programs (CSP) began providing case management and counseling, medication and symptoms management, financial management, vocational/employment referral and monitoring, psychotherapy, supported housing, housing specialists, social recreations skills and activities, community living skills training, coordination and linkage, advocacy, alcohol and substance abuse counseling, and education and consultation to community and family agencies.

1984 - Community-Based Residential Services

In 1984, Bell Therapy, Inc., began offering residential services to developmentally disabled adults. Willowglen Academy Wisconsin also expanded to provide a comprehensive array of community-based services to include a respite care program, medical treatment services, and an array of in-home services.

1987 - Expansion to New Jersey

Continuing demand for services, prompted Willowglen Academy's expansion to different states. In 1987, Willowglen Academy - New Jersey was founded. It expanded several-fold and grew into a premier service for adolescents and adults on the east coast. Intensive treatment services are provided to children aged 10-21 in a 40-bed co-ed residential facility nestled in the pristine hills of rural Sussex County. Two transitional group homes and a third group home for younger children who have developmental issues complete the programming for children referred by the New Jersey Division of Youth & Family Services. Willowglen Academy - New Jersey also offers a comprehensive system of group home services (twelve homes) designed to meet the special needs of 55 develop-mentally disabled children and adults, most of whom are diagnosed with autism. For the developmentally delayed population, Willowglen Academy - New Jersey also operates seven group homes and one respite home in Cherry Hill serving approximately 40 adults.

1994 - Expansion to Indiana

In 1994, Willowglen Academy Indiana was founded in Gary, Indiana. The campus is comprised of a four-cottage complex and an educational center. Each cottage and the educational center provide residential services for 8 adolescent boys between the ages of 8 and 21. In addition, a residential group home for adolescents (ages 16 to 20), the Pioneer Group Home, was added to target development of independent living skills.

1995 - Expansion to South Carolina

In 1995, Willowglen Academy - South Carolina was established and began operating a 50-bed co-ed Therapeutic Behavioral Services - High Management and Psychosocial Rehabilitation in Greeleyville. Demands from the community prompted expansion of the Clinical Day Program to provide services to the local school districts. By 1998, the Psychosocial Rehabilitation was serving six surrounding districts within 25 miles of the campus. Wrap-Around Services were added in 1999, as a result of requests for community-based services. Temporary De-Escalation Care Programs serving thirty children and adolescents and a ten-bed high management group home were added to the array of services in Willowglen Academy - South Carolina in 2001.

1997 - Establishment of Medical Day Treatment in WGA-WI

Willowglen Academy - WI established the Howard Jansen Medical Day Treatment Program to provide services to children and adolescents with emotional disturbance and mental illness as an alternative to inpatient hospitalization. Today, this program is serving over 70 consumers. 

1999 - The Acquisition

Willowglen Holdings was acquired by Phoenix Care Systems, Inc., in August, 1999.  Under the leadership of Donald R. Fritz and Leonard F. Dziubla, Willowglen Academy and Bell Therapy continue the corporate tradition of serving the most difficult populations, ranging from psychosis to extreme behavior disorders and the dually diagnosed population.

2001 - Merger of Bell Therapy, Inc.

Phoenix Care Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries continue to work to meet the needs of the communities. In 2001, Bell Therapy and Belwood, Ltd. merged as Bell Therapy, Inc., offering 24 combined day and residential services to 1,000 individuals daily.

2002 - CDP and School Growth in WGA-NJ

Willowglen Academy - New Jersey expanded its Psychosocial Rehabilitation and opened a school to serve the community.

2002 - Expansion to Illinois

Continuing the expansion of services in its subsidiaries, Phoenix Care Systems, Inc., opened its newest facility in Freeport, Illinois, in 2002. Residential, Day Program and Educational services were introduced to serve both developmentally disabled adolescents and adults. Today, WGA-IL School serves over 32 students, the WGA-IL Day Program serves over 32 adults.

2003 - Establishment of After-School Program in WGA-WI

Willowglen Academy - WI, Inc. established the After-School Program as an evening addition to the Day Treatment Program.  This program was created to meet the needs of children and adolescents for more individualized educational and social skill building.