In our community, throughout New York State and around the country, a difficult situation has only become more common in recent years: young people with complex needs come to a hospital seeking care … and are unable to be discharged, due to the lack of services that can support them in the community.
This phenomenon—known as hospital boarding—has added to the trauma faced by these youth, while frustrating families and creating additional burdens on overcrowded hospitals. The children’s system has struggled to address this issue, but a new program is designed to help—and Hillside is proud to be a leader in its implementation.
Recently, our agency became the first in New York State to admit youth into a new program that uses the innovative Critical Time Transition Program (CTTP) model. Funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), CTTP includes community-based services provided by a multidisciplinary Critical Time Intervention (CTI) team and a Transitional Residential Setting (TRS) where youth can receive as-needed 24/7 support for up to 120 days. Together, these components offer great promise for youth and families in need.
In January, we invited our state and local partners to join us in Rochester for a ceremonial launch of the first of two Hillside Next Steps CTTP programs. Our Rochester CTI team has already begun youth and families, and our TRS program will open soon. Meanwhile, plans are in motion for a second Hillside Next Steps program that will serve youth and families in Erie County.
Our Next Steps program was made possible through a commitment to collaboration—with our primary hospital partner, the University of Rochester Medical Center; with our partners in New York State and Monroe County; and with philanthropic partners who understand the inevitable limits of traditional program funding. (In this case, a generous grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation in partnership with the Greater Rochester Health Foundation supported renovations of a cottage on Hillside’s Monroe Campus for the Next Steps program.)
During the ceremony, Thalia Wright, Commissioner of the Monroe County Department of Human Services, emphasized the importance of these partnerships. “Transitional moments, when handled well, can change the trajectory of a young person’s life,” she said. “Through this collaboration, we are building the bridge between hospital care and community-based supports for youth who need stability, structure, and the time to heal.”
Together Hillside and our partners are helping youth transitions between hospitals and community based services. We’re grateful for this new opportunity to serve youth and their families—and we deeply appreciate your support of our work. Thank you!
Maria Cristalli
President & CEO