UCBH to Close Bellefonte Office, Discontinue Intervention Services in County

With mental health services as an area of concern for many people in Centre County, UCBH — The Meadows has announced it is closing its outpatient clinic and discontinuing providing crisis intervention service to county residents by Feb. 1. The Meadows main inpatient psychiatric facility in Centre Hall will remain open.

“Universal Community Behavioral Health — The Meadows has announced its intention to close its outpatient behavioral healthcare services located at 190 Match Factory Place in Bellefonte and the specific crisis intervention services located across several Pennsylvania counties effective Feb. 1,”  The Meadows CEO David Grabowski said in a statement to the Gazette.

UCBH’s outpatient clinic has provided individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, recovery-focused care, psychiatric evaluation and medication monitoring and psychological evaluation and testing.

“Since 1995, Universal Community Behavioral Health has contracted with Centre County MH/ ID to develop a premier crisis intervention system that provides 24/7 hotlines, walk-in triage and mobile face-to-face on-site triage,’ the UCBH — The Meadows website states. ‘This service has expanded to other counties since its inception. Our crisis intervention services collaborate with mental health professionals and community partners to achieve a positive outcome for the person in crisis. Our services advocate for a positive resolution and assist all individuals through the crisis event.”

This crisis intervention service is known as “Centre County Can Help.” The UCNH – The Meadows is discontinuing these services in other counties as well.

Centre County mental health administrator Natalie Corman said an update on these services will be discussed at the Centre County Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Dec. 10.

Garbowski said the The Meadows Psychiatric Center, located at 132 The Meadows Drive in Centre Hall, remains open and is fully operational to serve patients, families and the community.

He added, “For those enrolled in our outpatient care setting, we are committed to working with each individual to facilitate a smooth transition to the appropriate next level of outpatient care. Employees at the Meadows outpatient facility were provided information and encouraged to apply for open positions at nearby sister facilities located in the region.’