Lamont McClure and the Northampton County Division of Mental Health announce a new program which became available on May 16, 2022—the Warm Handoff Program. The program will serve suicide attempt survivors who are inpatients in the behavioral health unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg (LVHN-Muhlenberg). Upon discharge, Northampton County residents will have the opportunity to be assigned a caseworker who will provide them with supports such as:

·        Locating recommended services and navigating the referral process

·        Assistance with understanding insurance and how to access services through it

·        Linkage to peer and community supports in Northampton County

·        Linkage to other Northampton County services if needed or requested

·        Periodic check-ins from time of referral until three months following the patient’s discharge

“Navigating available services and supports can be overwhelming for any patient, but especially for those who are struggling with issues in mental health,” says Lamont McClure. “The Warm Handoff Program will assist people in making sure they are aware of all the resources available to them as they recover. I want to thank the administration at LVHN-Muhlenberg for partnering with us on this very important program.”

The program is voluntary and participants can exit at any time if they feel that the Warm Handoff services are no longer needed. Northampton County is providing this program at no additional costs to patients or their insurance.