Norwalk Hospital Association

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - CONSTRUCTION - NORWALK HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER ABSTRACT EXPANDED INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM (IOP) MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE AT THE NEW OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CENTER WILL HELP TO REDUCE AVOIDABLE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS AND ASSOCIATED HOSPITALIZATIONS. IN OTHER HEALTH CARE SERVICES, WE HAVE FOUND THAT MOVING THE FOCUS OF PATIENT CARE AWAY FROM THE INPATIENT SETTING TO OUTPATIENT SERVICES HAS IMPROVED THE CONTINUITY AND QUALITY OF CARE WHILE REDUCING THE BURDEN ON HEALTH CARE RESOURCES AND REDUCING HEALTH CARE COSTS. THIS PROJECT WILL APPLY THE HEALTH CARE PRINCIPLE OF "THE RIGHT CARE, IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE SETTING, AT THE RIGHT TIME" TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN SOUTHWESTERN CONNECTICUT. LOCAL LABOR AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE USED CREATING LOCAL CONSTRUCTION JOBS. AS THE PROGRAM GROWS, WE ANTICIPATE ADDING CLINICAL AND IT JOBS COMMENSURATE WITH GROWTH.