(SitNews) Wrangell, Alaska - Health care systems throughout the United States have been dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) has not been immune. SEARHC’s adolescent residential treatment programs have been especially impacted, experiencing a significant decrease in patient volume, serious staffing pressures, drastically rising costs, and infrastructure challenges requiring substantial future capital investment. These realities have forced SEARHC to re-examine how residential services are delivered and how we can continue to provide high quality care.

After a considerable discernment process, SEARHC said they made the extremely difficult decision to permanently close Crossings in Wrangell as of January 12, 2022 and unify adolescent residential services into the current, recently expanded Raven’s Way program based in Sitka. SEARHC said this move to consolidate and optimize resources ensures they will continue a sustainable adolescent program centered on evidenced based substance abuse treatment, wilderness experiences, classroom learning, and Native cultural activities for years to come. The Crossings 2021 season recently ended so the closure will have no impact on direct patient care.

Quoting a news realse from SEARHC, "We thank the Crossings staff and management team for their incredible expertise, unwavering commitment to providing high-quality wilderness based adolescent treatment, and dedication to our patients. They have provided valuable services to adolescents living in Alaska for over 20 years. SEARHC is working with all actively employed Crossings staff to transition them to new roles within the consortium."  

SEARHC said they will remain committed to the long-term sustainability of providing essential healthcare services for the community of Wrangell, including primary care, emergency and hospital services, long-term care, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health.  

Edited By: Mary Kauffman, SitNews



Source of News:

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
www.searhc.org

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