DHSS Press Release |
Date: February 8, 2008 DHSS-15-2008 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
TRANSFER OF 35 DPC PATIENTS TO SUPERVISED APARTMENTS & GROUP HOMES UNDERWAY
In Keeping with Governor's Task Force Recommendations, One Operating Unit at DPC will be Closed As a Result of Transfers.
New Castle, DE - As a continuation of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health's (DSAMH) community service expansion, 35 Delaware Psychiatric Center patients are being transferred into community settings in group homes and supervised apartments. The transition will be complete before the end of February.
As a result of the patient transfers, one of DPC's seven operating units will be closed in the next two months. The Division will redeploy staff at the remaining units according to clinical needs. These actions are in keeping with a specific recommendation by the Governor's Task Force on the DPC.
"The transfer of 35 DPC patients and the closing of an operating unit is representative of the hospital's ongoing commitment to community service expansion," said Renata Henry, Director, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health."The Division and the DPC continue to strive to reduce reliance on institutional care and expand community-based services for Delawareans living with mental illness."
The transfer of 10 patients to supervised apartments began on January 9, 2008 and has been completed. An additional 10 patients will be relocated to a new supervised apartment program by the end of February. The supervised apartment program provides on-site staff availability and support 24 hours a day to the patients. The goal of the program is the development of skills needed for independent living and the promotion of mental health stability so they can move on to fully independent community living.
Later this month, a total of 15 patients will be transferred to one of three group homes. This transfer will be completed by the end of February. In the group home program, patients are supervised 24/7 and follow a schedule, where they take part in day programs, join in household chores, receive psychiatric treatment, medication management assistance, crisis intervention, life skills training, and staff to assist residents with their personal needs and social skills.
To date, DPC has placed 200 patients in community based housing, including seven supervised apartments and 14 group homes throughout the state, in addition to the 240 patients currently served in its hospital on the Herman Holloway Sr. Campus in New Castle.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
