Central City Concern (CCC), a leading provider of social services and healthcare in Portland, Oregon, is set to relocate and expand its Recuperative Care Program (RCP). The program, a vital resource for individuals needing medical and housing support after hospital discharge, will move to a new facility at 8225 NE Wasco Street, the site of a former Comfort Inn. This strategic move will enable the Central City Concern Recuperative Care Program to significantly increase its capacity and better serve the community.
Currently operating within the Blackburn Center at 122nd Avenue and E Burnside Street, the RCP frequently operates at its 51-participant capacity. The relocation to the larger, 66-unit building on NE 82nd Avenue is a direct response to a persistent waitlist of 25 to 35 patients. This expansion addresses the growing need for post-hospitalization support, ensuring more individuals can access crucial care during their recovery.
Beyond increased space, the new location offers enhanced accessibility, a critical factor for program participants. Situated adjacent to a Max station and the 72 Bus line, the facility provides convenient public transportation access. Jordan Wilhelms, director of CCC’s RCP program, emphasized the importance of this feature, stating, “Having access to public transportation is critical to their recovery,” for clients often facing mobility challenges. This central location underscores Central City Concern’s Recuperative Care Program’s commitment to removing barriers to access for vulnerable populations.
The Recuperative Care Program plays a crucial role in the healthcare ecosystem by providing medical respite care. This service is particularly vital for individuals, especially those experiencing homelessness, who lack stable home environments for post-hospital recovery. By offering on-site primary care and pharmacy support, Central City Concern Recuperative Care Program helps prevent relapses and hospital readmissions. These on-site services will be available at the new NE 82nd Avenue location, while the Blackburn Center will continue to offer its existing healthcare and pharmacy services, potentially utilizing the vacated RCP space to expand its supportive housing program.
Since its inception in 2005, Central City Concern’s Recuperative Care Program has been recognized as a model for other communities nationwide. “We were early adopters of the medical respite care service and are routinely visited by governmental and organizational representatives from cities all over the country looking to replicate the model,” Wilhelms noted. The program’s success lies in its comprehensive approach, connecting participants with healthcare, stabilizing their health, and facilitating access to long-term housing solutions. By partnering with healthcare providers like OHSU, Providence, and Health Share, the RCP ensures that at-risk patients have a safe and supportive environment for continued care after discharge, demonstrating the significant impact of the Central City Concern Recuperative Care Program on both individual lives and the broader healthcare system. For further inquiries regarding the relocation, Juliana Lukasik, Senior Director of Public Affairs at CCC, can be contacted at [email protected].
