Springvale to open urgent care center, end 24-7 in-person crisis intervention
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Dec. 20, 2023) – Individuals with urgent behavioral and physical health concerns will soon be able to get help for both under the same roof.
Springvale Health Centers is getting ready to open a facility called RapidCare on Garland Drive in New Philadelphia. Executive Director JJ Boroski made the announcement during a press conference Wednesday morning and also announced the discontinuation of the agency’s 24-7 in-person crisis intervention services effective December 31st.
“Our current on-call crisis staff members who will be impacted by this change will transition to our RapidCare location where we will offer same-day, walk-in face-to-face crisis assessments, diagnostic assessments, and short-term counseling. Qualifying individuals will also have immediate access to appropriately prescribed psychiatric medications.”
Boroski says the program that’s ending has seen a dramatic drop in revenue because of Cleveland Clinic’s acquisition of Union Hospital and gradual implementation of a system where behavioral health assessments are conducted virtually by an off-site clinician. The ADAMHS stepped in and has been subsidizing the operation since 2020 but says it can no longer justify the expense.
“They informed us that this subsidy is ‘not a good use of taxpayer funds’ as it is a duplication of services. This statement was made in reference to the telehealth crisis services that are available 24/7 through the Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital emergency department.”
Board Executive Director Natalie Bollon says after numerous meetings with a consultant, Cleveland Clinic officials, and representatives from local behavioral healthcare providers, they decided their resources would be better used developing the center.
“So for the community as a whole, that face-to-face crisis [intervention] is still going to exist. The difference is the after-hours component when individuals would go to the ED. They’re still going to go to the same place – to the emergency rooms – for support. It’s just going to be through Cleveland Clinic’s mechanism and the mechanism that we have developed with Trinity.”
Springvale intends to host a soft opening on January 8th for the new facility, which will initially operate Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and Fridays from 7:30 to 2:30. Boroski says their 24-7 crisis intervention hotline and stabilization unit will remain staffed in the new year and ready to assist those in need.