SMHF Receives $1,000,000 Grant From Barancik Foundation

SARASOTA, Fla. (April 3, 2023) – Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation recently received a $1,000,000 grant fromCharles & Margery Barancik Foundation. The grant will supportinpatient and outpatient programs at the new state-of-the-art Cornell Family Behavioral Pavilion at Sarasota Memorial (SMH) including a new intensive outpatient program for youth ages 13-17.

The new 95,000-square-foot Cornell Family Behavioral Health Pavilion will provide expanded and centralized care for people of all ages. One of the newest programs is an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for adolescents.  Last year, there were close to 1,000 adolescent admissions at SMH’s existing facility representing nearly half of all admissions there. 

“We are so grateful for this generous grant from Barancik Foundation,” said Healthcare Foundation president Stacey Corley. “Community support is critical especially for those who may forego treatment due to lack of resources or who are unaware that help is available here at home.”

The new IOP will serve teens ages 13-17 in need of a higher level of care to help manage their condition—sometimes as a transition from a psychiatric hospitalization or as a step up from more standard outpatient therapy. The four-to-six-week program will be held after school, using evidence-based, creative and fun therapeutic interventions in a group therapy format.  It will assist in strengthening a behavioral health continuum of care for youth in our community. 

“Presently, we have an IOP for adults,” said Terry Cassidy Sarasota Memorial’s Behavioral Health Services executive director.  Since implementing the program in 2019, we have reduced the readmission rates from 15% to less than 3%.  We aim to see the same results for teens.”

The Cornell Family Behavioral Health Pavilion is on schedule to open late this fall. The modern facility will have private rooms with large windows letting in natural light, and other design elements that help reduce stress and promote recovery. The first floor will have therapeutic spaces dedicated for the health system’s expanding outpatient treatment and counseling programs. 

“There is a growing need for behavioral health services in the community and a lack of funding to support it,” says Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation President and CEO Teri A Hansen. “Many patients are uninsured or underinsured and intensive outpatient programs are not reimbursed by Medicaid. This investment supports the creation and expansion of programs that foster community behavioral health needs, including for youth ages 13-17.” 

For additional information about behavioral health services at SMH call (941- 917-2660 or visit smh.com/behavioralhealth

For information on how to support programs and services at the Cornell Behavioral Health Pavilion, please call 941.917.1286.