Departments of Mental Health and Social Services collaborate to fill this need for youth in the state
The Department of Mental Health (DMH), Division of Developmental Disabilities announces a partnership with the Department of Social Services, Division of Youth Services (DYS) to build a new youth facility on the campus of the existing Bellefontaine Habilitation Center (BHC).
Operations of the two facilities will be separate, but the use of state land and maintenance facilities will allow DYS to maximize funding for the project. DMH, DYS, and the Office of Administration will work closely throughout the design and building process to ensure the integration of this facility into the campus will cause minimal disruption to existing operations.
BHC currently operates both long-term Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) and short-term crisis stabilization programs on a 138 acre campus. Both the long-term and crisis services are provided in group homes.
DYS is transitioning from its Hogan Street Regional Youth Center for a variety of reasons. The current physical facility presents a number of challenges including more than $4 million in scheduled maintenance over the course of several years to modernize the facility. A new facility will provide a much better space for staff and treatment of youth. The design and construction of a new DYS facility will be better for the future.
For more information contact:
Debra Walker, Department of Mental Health, debra.walker@dmh.mo.gov;
Caitlin Whaley, Department of Social Services, caitlin.whaley@dss.mo.gov;
Chris Moreland, Office of Administration, chris.moreland@oa.mo.gov.