The Lodge at Lenape Valley Foundation, Bucks County’s first crisis residential center, held its grand opening April 10, at the recently completed site, on the campus of Lower Bucks Hospital, Bristol.
Lenape Valley Foundation has brought a new resource to Bucks County residents when they or a loved one are experiencing a mental, emotional, or behavioral crisis that includes being at risk to their own safety.
The Lodge provides state-of-the art crisis residential housing and care when residents are at their most vulnerable. No longer is there admission to a locked inpatient mental health unit but now there is a warm, welcoming unlocked haven during a time of crisis.
“Residents can expect to retain a sense of autonomy, continued involvement with family, and treatment specifically designed to move people back home quickly and safely,” according to the website. “The Lodge is the first and will be the only such program in Bucks County.”
The new 16,000-square-foot building in Bristol Borough accommodates The Lodge and other Lenape Valley Foundation services. The new site is easily accessible throughout Bucks County. “In combination with LVF Crisis Services it provides a hub of comprehensive services for Bucks County residents with serious, acute behavioral health issues.”
The Lodge provides a much needed third option when a person is at imminent risk, especially of suicide. Until now, the person in crisis had to be admitted to an inpatient psychiatric hospital unit or be returned immediately to the community.
The Lodge is provides 24/7 on-site staffing by health professionals and appropriate crisis intervention services with sufficient monitoring to assure the safety of the person admitted. The Lodge focuses on maintaining contact with family and other community resources during a person’s stay, which is expected to be from 3–10 days.
Lenape Valley Foundation launched a capital campaign to help finance building of the $6.5 million facility.
Board President Bob Rogala announced this year that LVF Chief Executive Officer Alan Hartl would retire after 38 years with LVF, including being its CEO for the past 27 years. COO Sharon Curran, moved into the CEO position April 1.
Curran has served as an executive at LVF since 2006 and was promoted to COO in 2017. She is co-chair of the Bucks County Crisis Intervention Team Taskforce and past co-chair of the Bucks County Suicide Prevention Taskforce. She is a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania with experience in the mental health and human services industry for nearly 30 years.
She holds a Master of Social Work from Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University.
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