Project Grant CE146415

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - CONSTRUCTION - ADDRESS: ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL HOSPITAL 327 BEACH 19 STREET FAR ROCKAWAY, NEW YORK 11691 PROJECT DIRECTOR NAME: NANCY FOX, DIRECTOR OF GRANTS CONTACT INFORMATION: 718-869-8508/NFOX@EHS.ORG/WWW.EHS.ORG GRANT FUNDS REQUESTED: $2,000,000 THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EQUITY RENOVATION PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE CRITICAL NEED TO RENOVATE AND MODERNIZE THE INPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITIES AT ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL HOSPITAL AND WILL SUPPORT THE DEMONSTRATED NEED TO ENHANCE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE ROCKAWAYS. THE HOSPITAL'S 8,500 SF. INPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNIT WAS BUILT IN 1980 AND HAS NEVER BEEN RENOVATED. THE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH IS REMINISCENT OF MENTAL INSTITUTIONS OF YEARS PAST, IS ANTITHETICAL TO OUR CURRENT STANDARDS OF PRACTICE AND COUNTER TO THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT WITH WHICH WE CLINICALLY TREAT OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PATIENTS. THE REQUESTED FUNDS WILL SUPPORT THE RENOVATION AND MODERNIZATION OF THE HOSPITAL'S 4TH FLOOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNIT TO INCLUDE THE IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING FLOOR PLANS TO IMPROVE PATIENT AND STAFF SAFETY, RENOVATION OF PATIENT COMMON AREAS, CREATION OF A COMFORT ROOM FOR PATIENTS, NURSING AND SUPPORT SPACES, PAINTING AND REFURBISHING OF PATIENT ROOMS AND BATHROOMS, AND UPDATED FIRE SUPPRESSION AND SECURITY SYSTEMS. COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ELECTED LEADERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS ARE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THESE FACILITIES. THIS FUNDING WILL PROVIDE BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY, AND PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT TAX PAYER VALUE.