Brian Fitzpatrick

09/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/09/2024 16:39

Fitzpatrick Secures $1 Million Dollars for “Bright Path” Bucks County Crisis Stabilization Center

Langhorne, PA - Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), announced that he has a secured $1,000,000 Community Project Funding (CPF) grant for the establishment of the Bright Path Center in Doylestown-the first crisis stabilization center of its kind in Pennsylvania.

The CPF was introduced by Fitzpatrick into the FY2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act as a part of the Community Project Funding program-an initiative allows Members of Congress to target federal funds towards projects and programs within their congressional districts that will address the most significant needs facing the communities they represent.

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 FY23 and over $6.6 million in CPF funding for 10 projects in FY22.

With this funding, the establishment of the Bright Path Crisis Stabilization Center, represents a groundbreaking step forward in the fight against the mental health and substance use disorder crisis in Bucks County. By uniting a comprehensive range of behavioral health crisis services under one roof, the center will provide urgent, trauma-informed, person-centered care in a calming and supportive environment. This innovative approach ensures that individuals facing mental health challenges, substance abuse, intellectual disabilities, homelessness, and other issues will have streamlined and convenient access to the critical resources and services that were previously dispersed across multiple locations. By consolidating these essential services, the Bright Path Center will transform how our community responds to crisis and ensure that no one falls through the cracks.

"I am deeply grateful for this pivotal contribution, which brings the BrightPath project to the verge of completion. Thanks to Congressman Fitzpatrick's steadfast support, the County is accelerating toward a transformative moment, as we near the finish line on projects that will revolutionize crisis services and deliver life-changing support to those battling mental health and substance use challenges," said Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia.

"As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force, I've made it a priority to do everything I can to combat the devastating mental health and substance use disorder crisis and ensure our community has access to top-tier mental and behavioral health resources. This $1 million in funding secured for the Bright Path Center marks a major development in that mission, truly lighting the way for innovative and essential behavioral health care and substance use recovery in our community, thereby saving lives and building a healthier, more resilient Bucks County. I look forward to working with the incredible team of Lenape Valley Foundation, Doylestown Health, Bucks County Department of Behavioral Health/Developmental Programs, Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Magellan Behavioral Health, and NAMI as this project progresses, and remain committed to championing initiatives like this that bring real, life-changing support to our community," said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1).

More About the Bright Path Center:

The first of its kind in Pennsylvania, the Bright Path Center is a collaborative effort between Lenape Valley Foundation, Doylestown Health, Bucks County Department of Behavioral Health/Developmental Programs, Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Magellan Behavioral Health, and NAMI. Lenape Valley Foundation will operate the center.

The 22,000-square-foot center will be located in Doylestown, next to the existing Lenape Valley Foundation site at 500 N. West Street.

Experienced behavioral health professionals will be on-site around the clock to welcome, assess, and stabilize those experiencing urgent challenges related to mental health, drug and alcohol use, and/or intellectual disabilities. With separate spaces for children and adults, the Bright Path Center is designed to offer innovative and compassionate care to individuals and families to de-escalate a critical situation and determine the best path forward to hope and healing.

###