Brian Fitzpatrick

11/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/02/2024 09:12

Fitzpatrick Delivers $1.8 Million for Life-Changing Behavioral Health & Housing Initiatives

Langhorne, PA - Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) announced a major victory for PA-1 behavioral health services, securing $1,800,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) for critical projects aimed at supporting low-income individuals with intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and those at risk of homelessness in Bucks County. This federal investment, part of the FY24 and FY22 Consolidated Appropriations Act, was championed by Fitzpatrick as part of a broader effort to direct federal resources to key projects and programs that directly benefit Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District.

Through the Community Project Funding Request process for the 118th Congress, which was included in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, Fitzpatrick successfully secured more than $27.5 million in funding for 14 transformative community projects that will directly benefit First District constituents. Additionally, Fitzpatrick secured over $19 million in CPF Funding for 13 projects in FY23 and over $6.6 million in CPF funding for 10 projects in FY22.

Key Highlights of the $1.8 Million Secured Through Fitzpatrick's Leadership:

Woods Services - $1.4 Million:

  • This major investment will support the construction of a four-story building dedicated to affordable housing for low-income residents with intellectual disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious conditions, as well as those at risk of homelessness. As a leader in population health management, Woods Services serves as a lifeline for 22,000 children and adults across Pennsylvania and New Jersey who face intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and mental health challenges, often alongside complex medical and genetic conditions. Through a comprehensive network known as the Woods System of Care, more than 6,000 dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure that these individuals, along with their families and caregivers, have personal agency and meaningful choices in all aspects of their lives. This housing project goes beyond shelter-it fosters stability, dignity, and community connection for some of Bucks County's most vulnerable residents.

"Many people who work in Bucks County can't afford to live here, a problem that Woods System of Care is addressing with the development of affordable housing on our property," said Tine Hansen-Turton, MGA, JD, President and CEO of Woods System of Care. "Our efforts are made possible by Congressman Fitzpatrick's support and generosity, for which we are deeply grateful."

St. Luke's Hospital Quakertown Campus Behavioral Health Unit Renovation and Expansion - $400,000:

  • This pivotal investment will fund the expansion and renovation of St. Luke's Quakertown Campus Behavioral Health Unit, enhancing its capacity to serve the escalating demand for mental health services in Bucks County. The project will increase the unit's existing capacity from 19 to 32 beds, with plans to add up to eight additional beds dedicated to patients with severe mental illness. St. Luke's Quakertown has long been a cornerstone in behavioral health care, but the rising need for specialized mental health treatment has outpaced available resources. This expansion is a critical step toward addressing the urgent, unmet mental health needs within the Bucks County community.

"This grant is vitally important for our community and allows us to renovate our mental health unit and expand our number of beds." said St. Luke's Quakertown and Upper Bucks Campus President Dennis Pfleiger. "Our Behavioral Health Unit in Quakertown is one of only two inpatient behavioral health providers in Bucks County, and we are proud to place a strong emphasis on compassionate care."

The funding secured for these critical initiatives reflect Fitzpatrick's ongoing efforts to deliver real results to PA-1, and ensure the community has the resources needed to care for and protect those most vulnerable to homelessness and health crises.

"The true measure of a community's strength lies in how we care for our neighbors," said Rep. Fitzpatrick (PA-1). "So, when it came time to advocate for funding for our community, I was proud to champion these critical initiatives as part of my ongoing commitment to ensuring that we have access to the top-tier mental and behavioral health resources we need and deserve. I am deeply grateful to the Woods Services and St. Luke's Quakertown teams for their continued exceptional service to our community. I look forward to continuing working alongside them in our shared mission to provide hope, healing, and support to those in need."

Learn More About Additional Community Projects Congressman Has Secured Critical Funding for:

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