SKOKIE: Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center CEO Ann Fisher Raney, officers and staff recently hosted a luncheon for local community leaders and elected representatives to celebrate the awarding of a $1.2 million grant from the North Suburban Healthcare Foundation at its Skokie facility.
Showing their support for the innovative behavioral health care leader were U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, State Representative Lou Lang, State Senator Ira Silverstein and State Representative Daniel Biss. Feature speakers included Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, and North Suburban Healthcare Foundation Vice Chair Donald P. Perille.
The event was held in the building adjacent to Turning Point’s current space at 8324 Skokie Boulevard. The sizeable grant has allowed Turning Point to purchase the neighboring building and nearly double its office space to 40,000 square feet without incurring any new debt. The additional space makes it possible for Turning Point to expand services through the creation of an integrative health center.
Turning Point has a track record of innovation in the behavioral health care field. The Living Room at Turning Point, which opened in September of 2011, offers support to clients experiencing psychiatric emergencies in a comfortable, non-clinical space, providing a welcome and cost-effective alternative to hospital emergency rooms. In the first year, 228 visits resulted in fewer than 15 emergency room referrals (a deflection rate of 93%), saving an estimated $500,000 in state health care costs.
Turning Point CEO Ann Fisher Raney said she was initially stunned by the generosity of the grant: “Our staff is dedicated to providing compassionate, respectful and cost-effective solutions to our clients and community we serve. We are actively meeting with organizations who can provide complementary services, such as substance abuse counseling, therapeutic play and health care services and intend to announce new partner organizations in early 2013.”
North Suburban Healthcare Foundation Board Vice Chair Donald P. Perille said, “Just as we recognized a community need and capability to address those needs by Lighthouse for the Blind, we see the singular potential of Turning Point.” Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen said, “Turning Point is consistently rated at the highest level by their industry peers. I expect their pioneering efforts in the area of integrative health care to bring greater public awareness of the importance of comprehensive mental health services.”
The Center established in 1969, is an outpatient mental health center that exists to provide comprehensive mental health services to all, regardless of financial resources or intensity of need.
Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
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