House Republican Press Release

April 4, 2005

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Belden Announces State Grant for Valley mental Health

HARTFORD – State Rep. Richard Belden, R-Shelton, today announced a state grant of $226,000 to renovate the Birmingham Group Health Services/Valley Mental Health Center outpatient services clinic in Ansonia to provide greater efficiencies and services to clients.

Belden said the state Bond Commission grant will allow the facility to extend more mental health services to those in need in the Naugatuck Valley.

“The entire Valley legislative delegation worked hard to secure these much needed funds and we appreciate the support from Gov. Rell and the  Bond Commission ,’’ Belden said.

The $226,000 grant was part of a larger overall commitment of $950,000 for mental health facilities in Milford, Meriden and Norwalk. Birmingham is a private, non-profit agency.

“Investing in facilities such as Birmingham will lead to better patient care. We know that in the long run this will pay significant dividends,’’ Belden said.

Valley Mental Health Center is committed to serving poor and disadvantaged adults with mental illness in Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Seymour and Oxford.

The grant will allow for the merger of services between the Valley program and those offered at Griffin Hospital. A Certificate of Need for the process was approved by the state Office of Health Care Access in 2004.