Connections is a 14-bed psychiatric unit at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, authorized by the NYS Office of Mental Health to provide intermediate length care to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. One of only several of its kind within the State of New York, the Connections unit allows patients a longer length of stay than acute psychiatric units; patients stay an average of 90-120 days, allowing them to receive more comprehensive, specialized care. The Connections unit is specialized to treat individuals who might have experienced multiple readmissions after short-term hospitalizations and/or are suffering from treatment resistant/refractory psychotic symptoms. Treatment focuses on increasing patients’ level of functioning so that they will stand a better chance of successful tenure in the community.  Patients are generally referred from acute care psychiatric units as direct admissions rather than coming through the emergency room. There is an emphasis on comprehensive discharge planning to create the “connections” or support system that are so essential, with the involvement of family, care coordination, residential services and optimal outpatient treatment.

Connections uses a biopsychosocial approach which includes a behavioral program, group and individual therapy, medication management, family evaluation and support, and optimizing community placements based on functional status. The behavioral treatment program is based on social learning theory, which suggests that people learn via observation, imitation and modeling; this is the foundation for the recovery-oriented programming which uses principles of empowerment, hope and optimism, knowledge and life satisfaction and encompasses evidence-based practices for those with serious mental illness

Treatment Planning

Connections is person-centered program and treatment planning starts with the patient’s aspirations and goals for living in the community.  The patient’s Insurance Company / Managed Care Organization approves the admission to Connections and collaborates in the treatment planning process. Incorporating the program’s unique treatment modalities with a comprehensive discharge plan, the treatment plan is an important step toward recovery.

Behavioral Program

Patients achieve privileges based on their adaptive behaviors, socialization skill building, ADL’s, and group participation. The privileges include trips to the cafeteria and gift shop in addition to occasional community outings to promote discharge readiness. In addition to enhanced privileges, the tokens patients earn can be used in the “token store” for items such as pens, toiletries, and sugar free candy.