Hudson Valley Step Down Program
In 2025, CPU was named a recipient of an important step-down program grant helping people with disabilities and mental illness transition to community housing instead of hospital settings in Westchester County. The program will free up space in critical care centers while empowering these individuals to achieve fulfilling lives as part of inclusive, welcoming neighborhoods across the state.
Why It is Important
People living with co-occurring mental health and intellectual or developmental disabilities often have high use of emergency and inpatient psychiatric services, even when they can be better served in the community. Enhanced step-down programs provide a specialty critical time intervention team and a transitional residential setting. The programs will focus on people transitioning from hospital-based care to the community and help prepare them to live more independently in their community.
Process
CPU teams will assess individuals prior to discharge from an inpatient or emergency department to determine eligibility for the transitional residential program. The case management and residential staff will work as one team to ensure participating individuals are able to live in an independent setting. These teams will also be available to support individuals who need transitional support but are not admitted to the residential component of the program.
Goals
The aim is to provide a suite of resources and supports to help ease their re-transition to a residential and community setting. Moving forward, CPU will develop a free-standing home in Westchester, New York where five individuals can stay at six-month intervals upon discharge from their prior clinical setting.
Hiring
CPU is hiring for key positions to implement this program. The first role is Program Director (see job description).
“As a community-focused provider of services, I look forward to implementing this vital program to bring more independence to people who have primarily experienced a clinical environment. The step-down program also frees up space in those settings for more medically viable candidates making it of tremendous benefit for all who seek healthcare in Westchester.,” said Penny Pagliaro, Executive Director of CP Unlimited Hudson Valley.
This work is new to CP Unlimited, allowing the Agency to grow our abilities and services by applying existing expertise and bringing on new partners. In combination with efforts in the shelter and asylum-seeking communities, CP Unlimited is adding programs to ensure diversified funding streams and maintain viability.
