The Connecticut State Bond Commission approved funding for several community health centers in the state last week, including money to expand opioid addiction treatment at one facility in New Haven.
The Cornell Scott – Hill Health Center was awarded $10 million for the development of a new Recovery and Wellness Center. It will replace an existing treatment program and increase the facility’s clinical space by nearly 60 percent - ultimately adding more detox beds and substance abuse outreach in the greater New Haven area.
During a press conference at the center, Governor Dannel Malloy said community health centers have been an asset for filling a void in the public health care system.
“This is just one more effort to make sure that we can save more lives, turn more lives around, use the right therapies with respect to the right individual cases,” Malloy said. “And yes, give second, third, fourth, and fifth chances to people so that they might live a more productive life in the future.”
Hill Health’s CEO, Michael Taylor, who joined the governor along with New Haven Mayor Toni Harp and other state officials, said he expects construction to begin on the nearly 44,000 square foot building in the spring of 2019.
“That will accomodate respite housing for males and females - that’s new,” Taylor said. “It will be combined with a host of therapeutic services to help people in their substance abuse recovery and to stabilize them in their sobriety, and as well, integrative medicine.”
Hill Health - celebrating its 50th anniversary - has 23 locations and served more than 34,000 patients last year.
