Trillium’s decision regarding the management of the Healing Place in New Hanover County may be under scrutiny, but Columbus County will still be able to provide mental health and substance abuse care.
Coastal Horizons announced on Sept. 7 that Trillium awarded an out-of-state healthcare provider the management of a nationally accredited sobriety facility set to open this fall in Wilmington.
While there is plenty of speculation about who was initially supposed to oversee operations, Trillium has decided to let the Kentucky branch of the Healing Place execute the same model of healthcare at the New Hanover County site. The 200-bed facility will serve the entire Cape Fear region when it is completed.
Coastal Horizon’s President and CEO Margaret Weller-Stargell said this will not affect how her organization will serve Columbus County.
“As for Coastal Horizons’ services to Columbus County, we have received no information from Trillium to suggest there will be any changes in service delivery specific to mental health and substance use disorders.
“It is Coastal Horizons’ intent to continue providing services to residents of Columbus County without interruption,” she said in an email.
County Manager Edwin Madden said the county is also in negotiations with the Healing Place to provide care to county residents who need it.
“As part of our due diligence, we have toured the Healing Place and have entered into early discussions about securing dedicated bed space at the facility for Columbus County residents. The information we are gathering will be shared with our Opioid Task Force in the coming weeks,” said Madden.
He also said the county is “pleased to have a 200-bed facility close by that will provide much needed care to our residents.”
