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This article was originally published in the Owensboro Times on Aug. 27, 2024. Click here to view.
Gov. Andy Beshear will be in Owensboro on Tuesday to celebrate an innovative new partnership to open an inpatient program for youth with high-intensity needs. Called The BIRCH, the program will be housed in the psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents operated by RiverValley Behavioral Health.
“By working together, we are adding a facility where our children can get the help they need,” Beshear said. “We are creating a space where kids that need a higher level of care are getting it.”
RVBH is partnering with Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) to launch the program.
According to a release from CHFS, The BIRCH is a 10-bed specialized inpatient program designed to meet the complex behavioral health needs of youth ages 12-17 who are involved with the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) and the Juvenile Justice system who cannot be served in existing treatment settings. RVBH is the Community Mental Health Center for Owensboro and the surrounding area.
“We are profoundly grateful for the partnership between the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and RiverValley Behavioral Health Hospital and the BIRCH Program,” said DCBS Commissioner Lesa Dennis. “Together, with this one-of-a-kind program, we are creating an opportunity for a model program to support children facing the most complex behavioral and mental health challenges. This collaboration embodies our shared commitment to nurturing their well-being and ensuring they receive the comprehensive care they truly deserve. Together, by joining forces, we will make a meaningful difference in the lives of children within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
RVBH’s not-for-profit, 70,000-square-foot facility where The BIRCH will be housed is located on a 40-acre campus on the west side of Owensboro and includes an on-site school, gymnasium, cafeteria, and extensive therapy and activity spaces. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including behavior analysis, trauma-focused therapy, acute psychiatric care, expressive art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and more.
“We are thrilled to open The BIRCH program at RiverValley Behavioral Health Hospital, an initiative that represents a significant advancement in the care and support of our most vulnerable youth,” said Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta, RVBH President & CEO. “This program reflects our commitment to providing the highest level of care for those who need it most, ensuring every young person has the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive. We are proud to be part of this innovative partnership and excited to see the positive impact it will have on our community.”
The new program is funded through a unique contract with DCBS in partnership with the Department for Medicaid Services (DMS).
“Medicaid and the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) serves over half of Kentucky’s children,” said DMS Commissioner Lisa Lee. “We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings to the healthcare system for Kentucky’s children. We are seeing an increase in the need for behavioral health services for children and The BIRCH program at RiverValley Behavioral Health Hospital is designed to fill a gap in care that has existed for too long.”
The program is designed to serve youth with a history of challenging behaviors related to their mental health conditions. Lengths of stays will be longer than in typical inpatient acute psychiatric hospitals, according to the release.
Program officials said admissions will be determined by an admission review committee that includes clinical representation from the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (BHDID), DMS, as well as DCBS and RVBH.
“In partnership with our Community Mental Health Center, RiverValley, we are committed to continuing to grow a comprehensive behavioral health system of care,” said BHDID Commissioner Dr. Katie Marks. “The BIRCH Program reflects the dedication of state and community partners, working hand-in-hand to meet the individualized needs of each and every Kentucky youth.”
The first patients have already been admitted this week. A ribbon cutting will be held at 11 a.m. on August 27 at the RVBH Hospital, located at 1000 Industrial Drive.
Published on August 30, 2024