U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1st dist.) announced Woods Services received a Community Project Funding grant for the Woods Services Specialized Outpatient Mental Health Services for People with Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Conditions Program. The CPF was introduced by Fitzpatrick into the FY2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act as a part of the Community Project Funding program. The CPF program, formerly known as “earmarks,” allows members of Congress to target federal funds toward projects and programs within their congressional districts that they believe will address the most significant needs facing the communities they represent.
The funding will be used for a specialized mental health outpatient program, which will incorporate a mobile mental health unit that will provide in-home, crisis intervention and ongoing training and support for families and caregivers. The project was selected to bridge the gap in mental health services in Bucks County. The mental health outpatient program is expected to reduce costs associated with unnecessary ER visits and hospitalizations and improve the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health conditions within the community.
“As our nation begins to heal from this pandemic, we cannot forget about the mental health crises that have been exacerbated by COVID and will be left in its wake,” Fitzpatrick said. “As the co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force in Congress, I am proud to support a trusted health and human services organization, like Woods Services, who are best suited to deliver these much-needed new mental health services to those with intellectual disabilities, autism and complex behavioral needs.”
“We are grateful to Congressman Fitzpatrick and SAMHSA for recognizing the critical need for quality outpatient mental health services in Lower Bucks County. Nearly 2,000 people diagnosed with intellectual disabilities residing in Bucks County are also diagnosed with mental health disorders,” said Tine Hansen-Turton, president and CEO, Woods Services. “The vast majority of these individuals cannot find help nearby. Building on Woods’ existing population health services and strong network of care, Woods will use the grant to open a specialized mental health outpatient program to serve children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism who are in need of outpatient mental health services. The center will offer a robust array of outpatient services including psychiatric and diagnostic assessments; medication review and coordination; individual, group and family therapies; behavioral health supports; psychiatric; and complex condition nurse navigation. The expectation is that Woods will prevent people from being in crisis and allow them to fully access community life, thus improving the quality of life for all community members.”
Woods Services is a nonprofit population health network and advocacy organization that along with its six affiliate organizations provides lifelong integrated health, education, housing, workforce, behavioral health and case management services to more than 22,000 children and adults in the intellectual and developmental disability, child welfare, behavioral and brain trauma public health sectors who have complex and intensive medical and behavioral healthcare needs. Woods applies treatments and a public health approach to develop individualized supports that empower people with disabilities and challenges to reach their highest potential.
