Baker Tilly Capital played a key role in financing a new behavioral health facility for the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. The tribe faced significant challenges in securing funding for the project due to its reliance on government payment options and a predominantly low-income patient population.
The new 22,000-square-foot facility boasts 26 beds for adult and geriatric inpatient and outpatient care. It offers a range of services including psychiatric diagnoses, medication-assisted treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, individual counseling, residential substance use disorder treatment, and acute/crisis psychiatric stabilization and detox.
Funding for the facility came from multiple sources, facilitated by Baker Tilly Capital. This included a significant investment through New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs), along with grants from the USDA and EDA, and a guaranteed loan from Native American Bank. This multi-faceted approach ensured the project’s success.
The project, five years in the making, addresses a critical need in a region struggling with high rates of opioid addiction and suicide. The facility is expected to serve over 2,000 unique patients annually, a large majority of whom are low-income and Native American.
The facility is also creating over 50 permanent jobs, many filled by low-income individuals and members of the Pawnee Nation. This economic impact adds to the facility’s significant social benefits.
The center is designed to be a welcoming and accommodating space, created in partnership with Ascension Recovery Services. This collaboration ensures culturally sensitive care for the diverse Pawnee community. Previously, residents often had to travel long distances, over 40 miles to Tulsa, for adequate behavioral and mental health services.
The facility serves as a vital referral source for the tribe’s primary care center, addressing the critical lack of mental health treatment previously available within the community. This integration enhances the overall healthcare system for the Pawnee people. The facility’s location in a rural, five-county area ensures access to treatment for both Native and non-Native residents.
Baker Tilly Capital’s involvement demonstrates the impact of strategic financial planning in addressing critical healthcare needs in underserved communities. The project highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies, private entities, and tribal organizations in achieving impactful results.
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