In January, CHD will open its new Enhanced Medical Group Living Environment (EMGLE) program in East Longmeadow. The Heron House, on Benton Drive, will provide a variety of skilled healthcare and supportive services, including nursing and hands-on personal care to persons with serious mental illness in addition to compounding medical needs.
Within a community based setting, these services will support clients with chronic medical conditions, terminal illnesses, and/or disabilities that are impacted by their significant mental illness. This model will serve to maintain, prevent, or slow worsening of conditions, as well as assist with the transition to a lower level of care setting or prevent hospitalization/nursing facility admissions.
Individuals served will benefit from integrated healthcare services at CHD that are wraparound and holistic, person-centered, and preventative in nature—available and provided to all persons served through CHD’s Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS). The program will consist of services provided by our agency, including urgent medical care services, primary care, outpatient clinical care (therapy, individual/group, recovery coaching, urgent care/walk-in), psychiatry care, CHD pharmacy services, crisis stabilization, substance use continuum services, and services offered by CHD’s Gateway Community Behavioral Health Center in Chicopee. Overarching all services will be a shared EHR that allows for streamlined communication between providers.
The Heron House will consist of two co-located EMGLEs: Tranquil Bay and Silverbell—both containing nine beds each, as well as communal kitchen and dining spaces, an outdoor courtyard; living, recreational and visitation areas; communal technology space for persons served; and access to medically necessary support equipment. The program will offer recreational and rehabilitative activities and groups, and will use a mobility van to meet the transportation needs of clients—and for them to participate in such activities as trips, camps, celebrations, and movie nights.
CHD Nursing staff will consist of a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). CNAs will provide clients assistance with activities of daily living and assist LPN/RNs with nursing care.
A dedicated peer support specialist will further the integration of the philosophy of inviting everyone’s input into all aspects and levels of care provided.
Unique to this program will be the availability of an end-of-life care (EOL) doula, who will provide companionship, comfort, and guidance to those facing a terminal illness or death. The doula’s non-medical holistic support will encompass emotional, spiritual, and practical care, and offer resources to help the dying person, along with their family and loved ones, to make informed decisions in a supportive environment.
Staffing and consultation services at The Heron House will also include a director of nursing; staff in psychiatry, occupational therapy, and physical therapy; a clinician (LPHA); an activities coordinator; and a chef. There will be access to recovery support services through CHD’s ACCS.
Telehealth and in-home services will be available (as needed/ requested) to persons served to access treatment providers and promote consistent engagement in treatment.
The program will be led by Vice President of Adult Mental Health and Substance Use Services Robyn Ernst, Senior Program Director Melissa Porter, Director of Recovery Supports Jeffrey Bass, The Heron House Program Director Stephanie Vazquez-Rivera, and The Heron House Director of Nursing Patricia Nnaji.