Hosplital Community Linkages
(HCL)

The Hospital Community Linkages (HCL) programs facilitate a smooth, coordinated transition from an acute episode in the hospital or emergency department to community treatment.

The goal of all HCL programs is to reduce preventable hospital utilization by adults and youth.

Adult Programs

HCL Inpatient Project (IP)

HCL Liaisons from six community mental health centers (CMHC/CCBHO)* are located within ten Eastern Region Hospitals.

They provide rapid identification, assessment and referral to treatment and other supports during an adult inpatient hospitalization.

They also facilitate client admission to treatment, including follow up phone calls, home visits and transportation to the first appointment.

To view or download the IP Impact Statement, click HERE.

For more information: Chris Hotard, Program Manager of Complex Care at chotard@bhnstl.org.

woman walking away from us while opening a door

There have been more than 8,500 referrals since program inception,
and 87% of FY21 clients were admitted into longer-term CMHC services

HCL Adult Emergency Room Enhancement (ERE) Project

Adult ERE targets individuals who are high utilizers of regional emergency departments with significant behavioral health needs.

To be eligible for services they have to be uninsured or under-insured.

Staff from seven community mental health centers* work with clients from 14 Eastern Region hospitals.

ERE staff:

meet with clients,
address needs such as housing, transportation, and food, and
motivate them to start treatment.

To view or download the ERE Impact Statement, click HERE.

To view or download the ERE Annual Report, click HERE.

For more information: Chris Hotard, Program Manager of Complex Care at chotard@bhnstl.org.

three patients and two medial staff in a hospital ward

Adult ERE clients experienced a 50% decrease in emergency department visits,
a 70% decrease in hospitalizations,
and a 72% decrease in homelessness six months after program participation.

Youth Programs

HCL Youth Emergency Room Enhancement (YERE) Project

YERE serves youth ages 6-17 with significant behavioral health needs who are referred from 11 Eastern Region hospitals, emergency departments, and youth clinics.

Outreach Clinicians from five community mental health centers* work with youth and their family members to provide:

brief case management,
build rapport,
assist with treatment intake,
accompany clients to their first appointments, and
make referrals to other resources.

If youth have substance use issues they may be referred to the Youth & Family TREE program.

Click below to view or download the YERE:

For more information: Dana Silverblatt, Director of Youth Services: dsilverblatt@bhnstl.org

looking into the back of an ambulance with flashing lights and an Emergency Medical Technician working

YERE clients experienced a 78% decrease in emergency department visits,
an 82% decrease in hospitalizations six months after program participation,
and 68% of YERE clients were admitted into longer-term behavioral health treatment within three months after program inception.

Note: *Some community health centers (CMHC) are certified as Certified Community Behavioral Health Organizations (CCBHO), which means that they provide a broader range of services such as housing and physical health.

HCL, Adult ERE and Youth ERE are funded by the

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Hosplital Community Linkages(HCL)