On June 11th of this year, Behavioral Health Services North received endorsement from Glens Falls Hospital and the Warren/Washington Community Service Board to move forward with becoming the provider for outpatient substance abuse, mental health treatment and child and family services for the Glens Falls region.
Based out of Plattsburgh, NY, Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN) operates 23 programs ranging from behavioral health for adults and children, residential services, care management, and various social programs and is also a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) designee through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). CCBHCs provide a comprehensive collection of services that create access, stabilize people in crisis, and provide the needed treatment and recovery support services for those with mental and substance use disorders. In harmony with the CCBHC model, BHSN’s care approach focuses on access, care coordination, quantified health outcomes, and treating the whole person. “We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with Glens Falls Hospital and Warren and Washington County CSB to bring the BHSN Model for Integrated Care to the region. We believe our approach to care which is inclusive of care coordination, education and employment, social, housing, and physical health helps enrich the lives of our communities and those we serve. All of this is coupled with an intense focus on creating exceptional customer and client experiences. Transforming care and enriching life is more than just a tagline, it is who we are,” said Mark Lukens, CEO, Behavioral Health Services North.
BHSN and Glens Falls Hospital have been collaborating closely to ensure services are seamlessly transitioned. All Glens Falls clinical staff have been offered employment with BHSN, and “BHSN is excited to be starting with a great team of professionals who are invested and dedicated to continue to support the community, and we look forward to expanding access of care to the Glens Falls region,” said Liz Cole, VP of Operations, Behavioral Health Services North.
According to Paul Scimeca, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Glens Falls Hospital, “Behavioral Health Services North shares our commitment to building a stronger community by providing local access
to high-quality and compassionate care. We are confident in their ability to meet patients’ needs now and in the future. Glens Falls Hospital will continue to provide inpatient behavioral health care and crisis care in our Emergency Department. This is a win for everyone involved and we are grateful for the partnership with BHSN and the counties.”
“The Office of Community Services and the Community Services Boards for Warren and Washington Counties welcome Behavioral Health Services North as a new outpatient behavioral health provider in our counties. I’d like to thank them for all their work, they have been great partners throughout the transition process. We share a vision for expansion of mental health and addiction services within the community, so I look forward to working with them to increase the availability of these critical services for our residents. I’d also like to thank Glens Falls Hospital for their patience and thoughtful approach to the transition of staff and clients to a new outpatient provider. Working together, we have been able to accomplish this without any interruption of services,” said Robert York, Director of Community Services for Warren and Washington Counties.
The Center for Recovery in Hudson Falls will remain in the existing location. The Center for Recovery currently located at 101 Ridge Street, the Child and Family Clinic (1 Lawrence Street), and the Adult Outpatient Clinic (100 Park Street) are all moving from their existing locations to the new BHSN Center for Well-Being and Center for Recovery at 25 Willowbrook Road, located at the Corner of Bay and Willowbrook Road. Due to the county’s expansive region, satellite clinic locations are currently being evaluated to ensure all residents have the resources they require, including the Cambridge satellite location, and partnerships with local school districts.
“We are thankful for our partnership with GFH who has proven to be an amazing organization and team, Rob York and the Warren and Washington Community Services Board, and OMH, and OASAS for their support and partnership in moving the process forward to provide these vital services and ensure no lapse in service provision. We look forward to expanding our service offerings as we move through 2021 and beyond,” said Mark Lukens, CEO, Behavioral Health Services North.
BHSN hopes to begin providing services in Warren and Washington County in early November.
####
ABOUT BHSN
Behavioral Health Services North, Inc., a progressive not-for-profit organization founded in 1874, is committed to strengthening individuals, families, and community life by delivering a behavioral health care and human service system that provides an integrated continuum of essential, responsive, and cost-effective services. BHSN brings treatment, rehabilitation and support to families in the North Country. BHSN has emerged as a leader in behavioral health services in the northernmost area of New York State. Located along the shores of Lake Champlain, BHSN has over 20 sites which comprise its 20+ programs. For more information or to join the BHSN team visit www.bhsn.org.
ABOUT GLENS FALLS HOSPITAL
Glens Falls Hospital (GFH) maintains a service area that spans 6,000 square miles across 5 diverse counties. Founded in 1897, GFH today operates an advanced health care delivery system featuring more than 20 regional facilities. A vast array of specialized medical and surgical services are provided in addition to coronary care, behavioral health care, rehabilitation and wellness and others. The main hospital campus is home to the C.R. Wood Cancer Center, the Joyce Stock Snuggery birthing center, the Breast Center and a chronic wound healing center. GFH is a not-for-profit organization and the largest employer in New York’s Adirondack region, with over 2,500 employees and a medical staff of over 460 providers. For more information visit www.GlensFallsHospital.org.
ABOUT THE ALBANY MED HEALTH SYSTEM
Glens Falls Hospital is an affiliate of the Albany Med Health System, which also includes Albany Medical Center, Columbia Memorial Health and Saratoga Hospital. The region’s largest locally governed health system, it has 1,520 beds, more than 800 physicians and 125 outpatient locations throughout the Capital Region.