The Bridge Center for Hope celebrates its first-anniversary offering services to East Baton Rouge Parish residents, and releases report on the first year of services.
2021 Annual Report
Author: brbridge-admin
Bridging the Gap – Community Event
Transforming Care
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Bridge Center for Hope officials will speak at Press Club on Monday, July 26
Bridge Center for Hope executive director Charlotte Claiborne and RI International Louisiana director Lysha Best will be the guest speakers at the Press Club of Baton Rouge on Monday, July 26. They will talk about Louisiana’s first adult mental health and substance abuse crisis stabilization center, its impact, and the effect of the epidemic on its demand.
Press Club meets on Mondays in the ballroom at the Drusilla Seafood Restaurant, which is located at the Drusilla Shopping Center at Drusilla Drive and Jefferson Hwy. Lunch, which is a sit-down meal served at noon, is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
The public is invited, but only members of the Press Club and news reporters are allowed to ask questions during the question-and-answer portion of the program.
Bridging the Gap to Mental Health Awareness Event
The Bridge Center for Hope, the first-ever adult crisis receiving center in East Baton Rouge Parish and the State of Louisiana, is pleased to present the Bridging the Gap to Mental Health Awareness community event and upcoming roadshow to bring attention to the importance of mental health awareness in the Baton Rouge community.
The Bridge Center for Hope opened in February of this year at a time when Baton Rouge’s overdose deaths and mental illness struggles hit an all-time high. Serving residents of East Baton Rouge Parish, The Bridge Center for Hope is designed as a short-term crisis stabilization center to treat individuals 18 years or older experiencing a mental health crisis and/or substance use challenge. The center provides the necessary care and comfort to individuals in crisis with the ultimate goal of connecting guests to longer-term care that meets their needs.
Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness month throughout the United States. This year, The Bridge Center for Hope is taking strides to break the stigma of mental illness and bring greater awareness to mental health in our community.
In partnership with community organizations and sponsors, The Bridge Center for Hope is hosting the Bridging the Gap event to educate the community and offer an opportunity for citizens to come together and learn about the various resources available within East Baton Rouge Parish to help those in need.
Citizens and community organizations are invited to attend the Bridging the Gap event on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library located at 7711 Goodwood Blvd. The event is free and open to everyone in the community, and it will feature two sessions throughout the day at 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to practice safe distancing and will be required to wear face coverings when indoors.
The Bridging the Gap tour will begin this week with the free community event. And throughout the coming months, The Bridge Center for Hope and participating organizations will host multiple events that will provide additional opportunities for citizens to learn more about resources and services offered in our community. For more information on future events, please visit brbridge.org.
The Bridge Center for Hope facility is located at 3455 Florida Blvd, across from the Baton Rouge General Mid City campus. The center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone 18 years or older regardless of income or insurance. For more information and to stay informed of news about The Bridge Center for Hope, please visit brbridge.org.
About The Bridge Center for Hope
The Bridge Center for Hope, an independent nonprofit, was formed to help East Baton Rouge Parish residents experiencing a mental health crisis and/or substance use challenge and ensure they receive quality care and attention. The Bridge Center for Hope’s mission is to provide pathways to treatment for people experiencing behavioral health issues and link providers to create an integrated continuum of care from prevention to rehabilitation. For more information, visit brbridge.org.
Agency contact:
Jennifer Vaccaro
225-234-0067
jennifer@think-brew.com
The Bridge Center for Hope contact:
Charlotte Claiborne
info@brbridge.org
The Bridge Center for Hope shares Q1 2021 statistics
The Bridge Center for Hope, Louisiana’s first-ever crisis stabilization facility serving East Baton Rouge Parish residents 18 years and older, is pleased to share its first quarterly update. The facility opened on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., and the first guest to arrive at the facility was escorted by law enforcement at 10:50 a.m.
During the first quarter, 100 guests entered the facility independently, and first responders escorted 133. The average response time for law enforcement is holding steady at 3.67 minutes exceeding the initial expectations of 5-7 minutes.
Fifty-five percent (55%) were treated for mental health issues, and forty-five percent (45%) were treated for substance use challenges.
Recently, The Advocate recognized The Bridge Center for Hope’s efforts to help the Baton Rouge community and many officials stating the facility is serving its purpose. To learn more, click here to read the article.
The Bridge Center for Hope provides update to Metro Council
The Bridge Center for Hope, Louisiana’s first-ever crisis stabilization facility serving East Baton Rouge Parish residents 18 years and older, met with the Baton Rouge Metro Council to share its 2021 first quarter statistics.
The Bridge Center for Hope Announces Grand Opening
The Bridge Center for Hope, the first-ever adult crisis receiving center in East Baton Rouge Parish and the State of Louisiana, is proud to announce the facility’s grand opening on Thursday, February 11 at 10 a.m. The facility, designed as a short-term crisis stabilization center to treat individuals 18 years or older experiencing a mental health crisis and/or substance use challenge, will be open to the public and ready to serve residents of East Baton Rouge Parish.
“The original idea for this facility was formed in 2016 to fill the void of quality care for individuals in crisis. And through the help of many individuals over the years, this vision has become a reality,” stated Executive Director Charlotte Claiborne. “After facing many obstacles and challenges, we persevered, and we are so pleased to now offer services to those in need and to support our community of East Baton Rouge Parish.”
The Bridge Center for Hope’s Board of Directors selected RI International (RI) to operate the facility. The center will employ RI’s “no wrong door” approach where anyone experiencing a crisis is welcomed, whether they walk in on their own, are escorted by loved ones, referred by a provider agency or transferred by first responders or law enforcement. They will also utilize RI’s successful “Crisis Now” model, which is an evidence-based nationally endorsed approach to crisis care that prevents suicides, provides immediate help for those in distress, reduces the cost of care, and reduces the strain on emergency rooms, prisons, and law enforcement.
The Bridge Center for Hope consists of four units and will operate six programs. The programs will include a Mobile Response Team for community-based crisis intervention, a 23-hour crisis stabilization unit, a 16-bed short-term psychiatric unit, a 16-bed substance use detoxification unit, a 16-bed center-based respite unit, and a care management team that will provide navigation and linkage for guests to outpatient services and appropriate community resources post discharge from the facility.
The Bridge Center for Hope facility is located at 3455 Florida Blvd, across from the Baton Rouge
General Mid City campus. The center will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone 18 years or older regardless of income or insurance. For more information and to stay informed of news about The Bridge Center for Hope, please visit brbridge.org.
About The Bridge Center for Hope
The Bridge Center for Hope, an independent nonprofit, was formed to help East Baton Rouge Parish residents experiencing a mental health crisis and/or substance use challenge and ensure they receive quality care and attention. The Bridge Center for Hope’s mission is to provide pathways to treatment for people experiencing behavioral health issues and link providers to create an integrated continuum of care from prevention to rehabilitation. For more information, visit brbridge.org.
About RI International
RI, founders of the Living Room model in 2002, deliver no-wrong-door crisis facility-based services across the country with rapid growth targeted. RI’s Campus of Connection model includes a strong peer workforce and surrounds the individual with support on their journey towards recovery. To learn more, visit riinternational.com.
The Bridge Center for Hope Hosts Public Open House
The Bridge Center for Hope, the first-ever adult crisis receiving center in East Baton Rouge Parish and the State of Louisiana, is pleased to host an open house on Wednesday, December 16, where the facility will be open to the public for viewing and touring.
Formed in 2016, The Bridge Center for Hope was created to fill the void of quality care for individuals in crisis and develop and implement a model for crisis services in the Baton Rouge area. The facility is designed to treat individuals experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis.
“We are delighted to provide an opportunity for the citizens of Greater Baton Rouge to tour our beautiful, new facility and learn about the incredible services we will be offering the community,” stated Executive Director Charlotte Claiborne. “We are proud to provide this community asset that the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish voted for.”
The Bridge Center for Hope has selected RI International (RI), an international non-profit behavioral health organization, to operate the center. RI is a global organization that offers more than 50 programs throughout the United States and abroad. The company has a successful history of providing a range of mental health, substance use, and crisis services since 1990. RI’s mission is to empower people to recover and find meaning and purpose in life—to reconnect with themselves and other members of their communities.
Following its grand opening planned for later this month, The Bridge Center for Hope will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone 18 years or older regardless of income or insurance. It will employ RI’s no “wrong door” approach, which means that anyone experiencing a crisis is welcomed, whether they walk in on their own, are escorted by loved ones, referred by a provider agency or transferred by first responders, or law enforcement. Additionally, the center will utilize RI’s Crisis Now model, an evidence-based nationally endorsed approach to crisis care that prevents suicides, provides immediate help for those in distress, reduces the cost of care, and reduces the strain on emergency rooms, prisons and law enforcement.
The Bridge Center for Hope facility is located at 3455 Florida Blvd, across from the Baton Rouge General Mid City campus. The event is open to the public and will be held on Wednesday, December 16, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Masks will be required for attendance and while touring the facility.
For upcoming news and additional information about The Bridge Center for Hope, please visit brbridge.org.
About The Bridge Center for Hope
The Bridge Center for Hope, an independent nonprofit, was formed to help East Baton Rouge Parish residents experiencing a mental health crisis and/or substance use issue and ensure they receive quality care and attention. The Bridge Center for Hope’s mission is to provide pathways to treatment for people experiencing behavioral health issues and link providers to create an integrated continuum of care from prevention to rehabilitation. For more information, visit brbridge.org.
About RI International
RI, founders of the Living Room model in 2002, deliver no-wrong-door crisis facility-based services across the country with rapid growth targeted. RI’s Campus of Connection model includes a strong peer workforce and surrounds the individual with support on their journey towards recovery. To learn more, visit riinternational.com.
