Behavioral services run by Crozer Health will stay open at least through Aug. 31 because of an agreement reached between the healthcare system and Delaware County officials, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.

 Crozer Health, owned by Prospect Medical Holdings Inc., has been reducing or eliminating its medical services at its four hospitals and facilities since January.

It also announced plans to close substance abuse and mental health services in June at Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Crozer Chester Medical Center and its Community Campus in Chester.

Crozer CEO Kevin Spiegel said in April the medical system needed a $20 million reimbursement from the county to keep the behavioral, mental health and substance abuse services open.

County officials said no money was given to Crozer in exchange for the extension agreement.

The county is expanding its network of behavioral health and mental health providers in anticipation of a gap left by an absence of Crozer Health services.

 “The county sees this as an opportunity to provide a service continuum,” that would involve more agencies and a broader network of providers, said Delaware County Human Services Director Sandra Garrison

Read more at the Daily Times about the deal to keep Crozer Health behavioral services open.