Central Health Opens New Respite Center at Clinical Education Center, Former Children’s Hospital of Austin

AUSTIN, Texas — Central Health officially opened its new Respite Center at the Clinical Education Center (CEC), formerly the Children’s Hospital of Austin. The newly renovated facility will provide safe, short-term housing and medical care for people experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, who are recovering from illness, surgery, or injury.

“Without a safe place like the Central Health respite center, recovery happens in the hardest places,” said Dr. Pat Lee, president and CEO of Central Health.

This 48-bed center addresses a longstanding gap in care for medically vulnerable residents who are left on the street with nowhere to heal. Patients are referred from various sources including hospitals, clinics, or Central Health outreach and street teams.

Facility highlights include:

• 48 beds with separate spaces for men, women and patients with infectious diseases
• Clinic rooms for chronic conditions, acute medical needs and preventative care
• Access to behavioral health, primary care and case management services
• On-site providers, nurses and physical therapists with access to vaccines and over-the-counter (OTC) medications
• Shared dining, hygiene, computer and activity areas
• Designed to support transitions from hospital to housing

Getting a New Chance at a Healthy Life

At a stakeholder tour held prior to the opening, community leaders heard from Fletcher Jones, a former Central Health respite patient, who experienced the impact of the respite program first-hand.

After experiencing multiple heart attacks and ultimately receiving a pacemaker, Jones found himself without income, housing, or a plan for what’s next. That’s when the Central Health respite team stepped in. During his time in the program, Central Health connected Jones to primary care, specialists, and transportation. Jones is now transitioning into permanent housing.

A Historic Past to a Historic Future

The site was originally home to the Children’s Hospital of Austin from 1988 to 2007 before becoming a clinical training facility. Central Health, owner of the building since the hospital district’s creation in 2004, has invested in transforming part of the building into a fully functioning respite center tailored to the needs of high-risk patients.

“To those driving by, it’s just a building, but to me and so many people in our community, it’s so much more,” said Dr. Audrey Kuang, Co-Director of High-Risk populations at Central Health and founder of the respite program.

The new Respite Center at the CEC furthers Central Health’s plan for expanded respite access and care in Travis County.

“To me this is what health equity is about. Regardless of your housing status, you have the best chance to achieve your optimal health,” said Kuang.

The respite center provides around-the-clock care and is a critical part of Central Health’s efforts to address homelessness and health equity in Travis County.