U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick announced the Bucks County Department of Mental Health and Developmental Programs received a Community Project Funding grant for the Forensic Diversion, Treatment and Rehabilitation Facility. The CPF was introduced by Fitzpatrick into the FY2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act as a part of the Community Project Funding program. This new initiative allows members of Congress to target federal funds toward projects and programs within their congressional districts that will address the most significant needs facing the communities they represent.
The project was selected because it will assist Bucks to build a facility that can provide assistance where individuals with mental illness can be identified and diverted earlier in their acute illness episode and bypass hospital emergency rooms, never enter jail and gain the treatment and resources necessary to go into community living, with support. The Forensic Diversion, Treatment and Rehabilitation Center will divert these individuals from being sent to jail or hospitals, which is costly to the taxpayers and overcrowds healthcare facilities, while ensuring everyone in need of assistance gets the necessary care.
“Some of the unfortunate side effects of the pandemic was the spike in mental health-related issues and suicides,” Fitzpatrick said. “It has become evident, now more than ever, the need to help fill a longstanding void in our mental health system for those who have mental illnesses and in need of treatment. As the co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force in Congress, I am actively working to find constructive solutions to one of our nation’s most pressing issues: addiction and mental health, which is why I am proud to be an advocate for the Bucks County Forensic Diversion, Treatment and Rehabilitation Facility.”
The Bucks County Department of Behavioral Health/Developmental Programs is responsible for the administration of services to Bucks County residents who are diagnosed with mental illness, substance use disorder, intellectual disability or developmental delay/disability, and their families. The purpose of these services is to help individuals live in the community and participate in community life.
