(October 10, 2006)
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato today released his action plan in response to recommendations from the Health Care Summit Committee he appointed in September 2005 to study the County’s John J. Kane Regional Centers located in Glen Hazel, McKeesport, Ross Twp. and Scott Twp.

“Today, I announce a first-of-its kind action plan that will give Allegheny County residents access to a continuum of care that includes home-based care, adult daily living services, independent living units, personal care units, dementia units, rehabilitation services and skilled nursing,” said Onorato. “The changes I am implementing at the Kane Centers will not only respond to the changing needs of our population, but they will also enable us to erase the Kane Centers’ deficit for 2006 and operate the Centers at a break-even level for the foreseeable future. I want to thank members of the Health Care Summit Committee for their hard work and bold recommendations.”

Under Onorato’s plan, all four Kane Centers will continue to provide residential skilled-nursing care for up to 1,067 residents needing nursing home care. The Chief Executive’s action plan will transform the Kane Centers in Glen Hazel and Ross Twp. into comprehensive living centers that offer a spectrum of short- and long-term residential and non-residential services. The Kane Centers in McKeesport and Scott Twp. will continue to provide residential skilled-nursing care and rehabilitation services.

Specifically, 14 new independent living units and a 30-person personal care unit will be developed at the Kane Center in Glen Hazel, and the Center will retain capacity for 210 skilled-nursing residents. Glen Hazel will also house a training center for the Kane Centers’ workforce.

The Kane Center in Ross Twp. will retain capacity for 240 skilled-nursing residents, while two new personal care units for up to 60 individuals will be created. The County will also develop residential housing units on two acres of land adjacent to the facility, and it will work to create a LIFE Center within the new development. Approximately six acres of land near the facility will be sold.

The McKeesport and Scott Twp. Kane Centers will retain their current capacity of 314 and 360 skilled-nursing residents respectively. The County will also sell approximately 10 acres of unused land in Scott Twp.

“Allegheny County residents and their families will be able to choose the services that best meet their needs,” added Onorato. “Residents from throughout the County will have access to all four Kane Centers and the continuum of care we provide.”

In addition to operational changes, the County will implement a marketing initiative to highlight the current and expanded services at the Kane Centers, as well as adopt “best practices” used in the health care industry. Onorato plans to host open houses at all four Centers in 2007 to familiarize the public and health care community with the expanded services.

Immediately following today’s announcement, the Chief Executive visited the Kane Centers in Ross Twp. and Glen Hazel to meet with staff and discuss his action plan. Onorato will also visit the McKeesport and Scott Twp. Kane Centers next week to meet with their employees.

 Chief Executive's Action Plan

 News Release