What you need to know
Ocean Medical Center Foundation has been awarded a Major Grant in the amount of $10,000 from The Provident Bank Foundation to help improve the care and support provided to children and young adults with autism, developmental disabilities and substance abuse issues presenting in Emergency Department crisis units at Ocean Medical Center and Southern Ocean Medical Center.
The medical centers were selected to receive the grant to ease the trauma and fear that a trip to the Emergency Department can bring to children and young adults with autism, developmental disabilities and mental health issues, which can heighten symptoms and make treatment more difficult.
Funding will be used to provide additional training to team members and to transform two pediatric crisis unit rooms into sensory rooms furnished with equipment and toys that will help youths communicate with team members, reduce their anxiety and minimize dangerous social-emotional behaviors.
Ocean Medical Center Foundation was presented with the check during a presentation on October 1 in the Emergency Department at Ocean Medical Center and will administer the funds necessary to support the program at both Ocean Medical Center and Southern Ocean Medical Center.
Check presentation
The check was received by Jason Kreitner, FACHE, chief hospital executive at Ocean Medical Center; Marie Foley Danecker, DNP, RN, CCRN, NE-BC, vice president and chief nursing officer at Ocean Medical Center; Kelli Chiarello, MSW, LCSW, emergency psychiatric services manager at Ocean Medical Center and Southern Ocean Medical Center; Matthew Lang, executive director, Ocean Medical Center Foundation; and Joanne DiNapoli, executive director of foundation and government grants.