West Palm Beach VA Medical Center Breaks Ground on Residential Rehab Facility

“There is a definite need for additional inpatient residential treatment facilities specifically for veterans,” explained Kenita D. Gordon, public affairs officer, West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. “We’ve been sending veterans out into the community to live in different rehabilitation facilities in residential settings, but with the opening of this new facility, we will be able to provide them with more comprehensive services on our grounds.” Currently, the medical center provides residential mental health treatment for veterans through its Care in the Community program.

 

“Some veterans are fine to come in as outpatients for regular therapy appointments, and independent and group therapy sessions, but others need inpatient options, especially if they are dealing with substance abuse coupled with mental health disorders,” she added. “It may be clinically necessary for them to receive around the clock treatment, and some also benefit from being able to relearn life skills with others who are going through what they’re going through.”

 

According to Gordon, the number of veterans requiring services is increasing each year. In fiscal year 2015, the medical center provided 8,680 veterans with mental health services for a total of 41,332 appointments. That number increased to 9,960 veterans and 48,448 appointments in fiscal year 2016, and this year, 8,318 veterans have already been seen, with the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2017.

 

Rob Kittelson, project engineer, West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, said that the project, which broke ground at the end of August, will take about 14 months to complete.

 

“The building will house a total of 60 beds; 30 downstairs and 30 upstairs, with two beds per semi-private room,” he said. The building will also contain an administration area on the ground floor, as well as a dining room, kitchen, three group therapy rooms, and one large recreation room.

 

“Once the building is complete, it will take approximately four months to become fully activated with equipment and resources, with the expected move-in date in early April 2019,” Kittelson added. Stephen L. Borruf AIA Architects + Planners will design the building, which is being built by Pointer Construction Group, a company that has done a number of projects for the Veterans Administration.

 

“We’ve been involved in a variety of different types of renovations, additions and construction projects for the VA since 2010,” said David Jones, vice president of operations, Pointer Construction Group. “This particular project has taken a long time to develop due to VA budgetary constraints and program requirements to ensure that what is being designed and constructed will meet the needs of the facility and the veteran community it serves.”

 

 The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center treats veterans for mental health issues including PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and more, and veterans can also take advantage of other services on the VA campus, including primary and specialty care, an emergency room, a blind rehabilitation center, and social service programs for homeless vets.

 

According to Gordon, veterans will be evaluated by the VA’s mental health clinical team to determine if they are good candidates for inpatient treatment. “How long the person stays will depend on the individual; some may stay six weeks, some for a few months,” she said.

 

“We’re working hard to make sure that the community is aware of the range of services that we offer to veterans,” she added. “We want to spread the word that we’re here to help 24 hours a day. The new residential facility is simply the cherry on top of the services that are already available.”

 

“There is a great need for rehab services for veterans in South Florida, and this facility will really fill a big void in the area,” added Jones. “We are very excited to be a part of it and are looking forward to building a successful addition to the VA campus.”