Federal Grant Awarded To Woods Services Mental Health Program

LANGHORNE, PA — Woods Services Specialized Outpatient Mental Health Services has been awarded a $500,000 Community Project Funding grant by U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.

This new initiative allows members of Congress to target federal funds towards projects and programs within their districts that will address the most significant needs facing the communities they represent.

The funding will be used by Woods 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 because it will bridge the gap in mental health services in Bucks County. The mental health outpatient program is expected to reduce costs associate 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,” said Fitzpatrick. “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," he continued. "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," said Hansen-Turton.

Woods Services is a Pennsylvania and New Jersey-based non-profit population health network and advocacy organization that along with its six affiliate organizations provides life-long innovative, comprehensive and 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 evidenced-based treatments and a public health approach to develop innovative and individualized supports that empower people with disabilities and challenges to reach their highest potential.

On October 12, Congressman Fitzpatrick announced the first PA-01 Community Project Funding (CPF) for the Doylestown Health Foundation. The Woods Services CPF is the second announcement.