DACCO's Story: Creating and Sustaining Community Wellness

When DACCO was first created in 1973, it was initially used to provide drug abuse planning, coordination, and monitoring for Hillsborough County governmental units. Representatives from the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and other organizations in the area wanted to work towards a drug-free community by encouraging and promoting healthy living, job productivity, and overall family stability.

In 1975, DACCO received funding for drug abuse treatment, and since then has grown into Hillsborough County’s largest comprehensive community-based substance use disorder service provider, reaching over 25,000 persons annually through prevention and treatment. Using the 12 Step program as well as promoting wellness through physical activity, stress management, and financial fitness, DACCO works towards strengthening the community, keeping families together, and saving lives.

There are multiple campuses providing a multitude of services for the bay area. In 2008, DACCO's opened its main campus, the Center for Behavioral Health, minutes from downtown Tampa. At this three story facility, recovery is possible through their detoxification, outpatient, and residential treatment services. Offering walk-in assessments, they have a variety of programs for adolescents and adults, as well as providing support and residency for pregnant women. Some of these programs include HIV/AIDS services, a career center for vocational development, acupuncture services, tobacco cessation, nutritional support, and daycare/developmental care.

In 2010, their Brandon campus was opened to better serve and meet the community need. In all of the locations, counselors provide individual and group counseling to help patients work through trauma, relapse, and help build life skills for recovery. In 2013, a 13-bed private, inpatient detox facility was opened at the main campus. Shortly after, the men's residential facility, also known as the Quest House Campus off of 50th St. received a renovation to the building.  In Feb. 2015, DACCO opened a Community Housing Solutions Center, which is funded by Hillsborough County, to provide temporary housing and supportive services for homeless adults.

With four separate facilities, and a multitude of services offered, DACCO is dedicated to supporting the Tampa Bay community's drug and alcohol addictions. Providing prevention services in the community, including schools and universities, DACCO upholds it's ranking as one of Florida's largest community-based providers of behavioral health services.

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