Maine is one of only a handful of states that does not have a psychiatric residential treatment facility for at-risk youth. But that could change if the State Legislature approves Gov. Janet Mills’ supplemental budget.Sweetser is looking to build that facility by renovating an existing 8,000-square-foot space on its Saco campus. But because of the secure nature of the facility and because youth could present a safety issue to themselves or staff, there are stringent requirements that have added to construction costs.”There are tamper-resistant design elements that have to be incorporated, as well as ligature-free fixtures and reinforced windows and doors,” said Jayne Van Bramer, Sweetser’s president and CEO. “Plus, it needs to be therapeutic. We’re going to have a sensory room. We’ll have a basketball court. And on our grounds, we do have a family apartment so families from all over Maine can come and stay for free and participate in their child’s healing journey.”Van Bramer said Sweetser has committed $2.5 million through its own fundraising and the state has provided a $2 million down payment, but there is still a $3.4 million funding gap to close.Mills has included about $3.4 million in her supplemental budget proposal for this facility, and the Department of Health and the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services voted unanimously to endorse this portion of the supplemental budget.”I think there is universal agreement that we need this facility for our Maine children and families. But rest assured, without the Legislature pushing this over the finish line, without this $3.4 million in the supplemental budget, this program will not open,” Van Bramer said.Van Bramer said a youth psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) is a missing piece of the puzzle in the continuum of care for children’s behavioral health in Maine.According to Van Bramer, a PRTF provides the safety of an inpatient setting within a secure, therapeutic residential environment. Because Maine does not have this level of care, more than 70 children are being sent as far away as Oklahoma and Florida for care while about 100 others are on a waitlist to be sent out of the state. Van Bramer also said dozens more children are languishing in emergency rooms for weeks and months on end because there is nowhere else for them to go.”This 16-bed facility will allow our most at-risk youth to be treated in Maine, near their home, near their communities, to get intense, 24/7 clinical treatment,” Van Bramer said.Van Bramer said people who want to help get the PRTF built can contact their state legislators to encourage them to pass the supplemental budget. People who are looking to donate to the cause can visit Sweetser.org/donate. Van Bramer also said Sweetser is looking for businesses and corporate entities to partner with.
PORTLAND, Maine —
Maine is one of only a handful of states that does not have a psychiatric residential treatment facility for at-risk youth. But that could change if the State Legislature approves Gov. Janet Mills’ supplemental budget.
Sweetser is looking to build that facility by renovating an existing 8,000-square-foot space on its Saco campus. But because of the secure nature of the facility and because youth could present a safety issue to themselves or staff, there are stringent requirements that have added to construction costs.
“There are tamper-resistant design elements that have to be incorporated, as well as ligature-free fixtures and reinforced windows and doors,” said Jayne Van Bramer, Sweetser’s president and CEO. “Plus, it needs to be therapeutic. We’re going to have a sensory room. We’ll have a basketball court. And on our grounds, we do have a family apartment so families from all over Maine can come and stay for free and participate in their child’s healing journey.”
Van Bramer said Sweetser has committed $2.5 million through its own fundraising and the state has provided a $2 million down payment, but there is still a $3.4 million funding gap to close.
Mills has included about $3.4 million in her supplemental budget proposal for this facility, and the Department of Health and the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services voted unanimously to endorse this portion of the supplemental budget.
“I think there is universal agreement that we need this facility for our Maine children and families. But rest assured, without the Legislature pushing this over the finish line, without this $3.4 million in the supplemental budget, this program will not open,” Van Bramer said.
Van Bramer said a youth psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) is a missing piece of the puzzle in the continuum of care for children’s behavioral health in Maine.
According to Van Bramer, a PRTF provides the safety of an inpatient setting within a secure, therapeutic residential environment. Because Maine does not have this level of care, more than 70 children are being sent as far away as Oklahoma and Florida for care while about 100 others are on a waitlist to be sent out of the state. Van Bramer also said dozens more children are languishing in emergency rooms for weeks and months on end because there is nowhere else for them to go.
“This 16-bed facility will allow our most at-risk youth to be treated in Maine, near their home, near their communities, to get intense, 24/7 clinical treatment,” Van Bramer said.
Van Bramer said people who want to help get the PRTF built can contact their state legislators to encourage them to pass the supplemental budget. People who are looking to donate to the cause can visit Sweetser.org/donate. Van Bramer also said Sweetser is looking for businesses and corporate entities to partner with.