SWANSEA – State Senator Christopher Belt joined the Illinois Capital Development Board and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services in announcing $200 million in funding to transform health care delivery and improve health outcomes in the state.

“Quality mental health care is essential for the well-being of adolescents,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Learning how to manage mental health at a young age can be challenging, but with resources like the Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Program, we can support our youth and expand more mental health resources.”

The Healthcare Transformation Capital Improvement grants will build on HFS’ equity-driven Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives program, which was established in 2021. The goals of the HTC program are to expand access to care and improve health equity, especially in underserved communities, by leveraging shared resources among collaborative partners to create locally-driven solutions.

Of the 13 organizations selected for funding through the program, Touchette Regional Hospital, in the district Belt represents, is set to receive $15 million for construction of a new adolescent mental health wing. The new mental health wing will be integrated into the already under development Health Care Campus funded through the Illinois Healthcare Transformation grant previously awarded to Touchette Regional Hospital in 2021.

“These grants represent a significant investment in the future of healthcare across Illinois, particularly in underserved communities,” said CDB Executive Director TJ Edwards. “CDB is proud to partner with HFS to ensure these projects not only improve healthcare access, but also build stronger, more resilient healthcare infrastructure that will serve generations of Illinoisans.”

Find the full list of grant recipients here.