Posted: Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Following a year of strategic and programmatic partnerships focused on enhancing the delivery of behavioral health care in the region, The Providence Center (TPC) and Care New England (CNE) announced they have begun negotiating the terms of a formal affiliation.
The formal agreement seeks to solidify the integration of behavioral health services across community-based and hospital-based systems in order to provide comprehensive treatment and support across the full continuum of care to patients with mental illness and substance use disorders. The larger focus on public health, a key element to Care New England’s vision for the future of health care, includes a broader view that incorporates primary care, acute and specialty care, post-acute care and wellness.
“Our affiliation with The Providence Center has been successful as we take a leadership role in providing a truly integrated system across the full continuum of care, specifically in regards to behavioral health care services,” said Dennis Keefe, president and CEO of Care New England. “We are more confident than ever that combining The Providence Center’s robust outpatient services and innovative quality programs with the behavioral health expertise, services and leadership of Butler Hospital will continue to transform the future of behavioral health care for our state and region. These partnerships are crucial to being successful as an Accountable Care Organization and as part of the new health care landscape.”
TPC and CNE announced a strategic affiliation agreement in March 2013. The final affiliation agreement will require approval from the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHHDH).
“Over the past year, TPC has worked closely with Care New England to design and deliver innovative programming consistent with our shared values and vision,” said Dale Klatzker, president and CEO of The Providence Center. “A formal agreement with CNE presents a unique opportunity to continue building on our strong foundation of community care, open new doors for our clients and be a significant partner in Care New England’s groundbreaking efforts to create a comprehensive health care system that delivers excellent care and value.”
The continued collaboration will allow CNE and TPC to:
About The Providence Center
TPC is a non-profit community mental health organization founded in 1969 that now serves more than 12,000 children and adults annually through twenty-three locations in Providence, Burrillville, Cranston, Pawtucket, and Warwick, Rhode Island. Its services include more than 40 programs and wraparound services for mental health and addiction treatment. The Providence Center’s budget for the fiscal year ending July 30, 2014, is $45.3 million. The organization employs 650 staff members. For more information, visit providencecenter.org.
About Care New England
Care New England, located in Rhode Island, was founded in 1996 by Butler Hospital, Kent Hospital and Women & Infants Hospital. Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island joined the system as a hospital partner in 2013. Care New England is an integrated health care system that offers a continuum of quality care. The system includes primary care and specialty physicians; three teaching hospitals affiliated with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Butler, Memorial and Women & Infants; a community hospital, Kent; a visiting nurse and home care agency, the VNA of Care New England; and Care New England Wellness Center. For more information, visit carenewengland.org.