Applicant defends referral, wait‑list and Medicaid plans as OHS seeks readmission data

At a public hearing of the Office of Health Strategy, an applicant for Paramount’s proposed Stamford/Stanford aftercare and outpatient facility described referral relationships, a wait‑list policy, plans to seek Medicaid enrollment and an 11/15 waiver, and confirmed a five‑year lease at 1290 Summer Street.

The most detailed public statement came from Joseph Pinnell, a veteran who said he completed Paramount’s July–September 2023 program and strongly supports the Stanford proposal. "I was given so much love and compassion," Pinnell said, adding staff "met me at my level" and gave him tools and continuity he credited with helping him change his life.

Cassandra Ruela, who spoke for the applicant team, told OHS examiners that Paramount has letters of support from several regional providers — including CCAR, Newtown Parent Connection, Tri State EAP, Blue Sky (a partial IOP in Danbury) and Liberations in Stamford — and that those letters state the providers would refer clinically appropriate clients to Paramount. Ruela said those referral relationships are…