LIBERTY – Belmont Pines Hospital increased its reach in 2023 by 14% as it served more than 2,500 patients, ages 6 to 17, from all of Ohio’s 88 counties and 22 states.
That reach is about to expand further.
Belmont Pines was awarded space for a six-bed psychiatric residential treatment center on the campus of Trumbull County Children’s Services at 2282 Reaves Road, Warren.
Operating through the Ohio Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence program, the center will provide a specialized Medicaid managed care plan that tailors treatment services for youth with complex behavioral health needs. It will be the second of its kind in Ohio, according to Rebecca Bayley, director of business development.
Guided by new CEO Eric Kennedy, Belmont Pines expanded its role as a local training partner with nursing schools at Youngstown State University, Kent State University, Choffin School of Nursing and Eastern Gateway Community College. A cooperative agreement with YSU’s School of Social Work is in the works, Bayley says.
Moreover, the hospital took a lead role in a study by Ohio State University that seeks to educate caregivers of children recently discharged from residential treatment as they reintegrate into their communities. Belmont Pines supplies data to enhance goals of the study, which is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.
Community partnerships were added last year starting with a carnival in June for local families, law enforcement and health care professionals. Other partnerships involved pet therapy and a national mentoring program.
The year concluded with a large-scale community toy distribution with Toys for Tots, where more than 200 families picked up toys at the Belmont Pines campus. Staff was joined by Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown and Parks and Recreation Director Clemate Franklin.
This past year, Belmont Pines staff represented the hospital and gained continuing education at events such as the Ohio Prevention Conference; Unmute the Uncomfortable dialogue on race and mental health.
The hospital staff includes 180 full- and part-time employees.