West Cleveland News

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, along with local leaders, has partnered with The Centers to initiate the development of the Cuyahoga County Child Wellness Campus. The first phase of this project will focus on staffing, training, and space planning for the expansion of The Centers' current emergency childcare facility, Cleveland Christian Home.

According to a press release from the county, the existing emergency childcare facility, Cleveland Christian Home, located on Cleveland's west side and operated by The Centers, is set to expand as part of the establishment of the Cuyahoga County Child Wellness Campus. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy aimed at addressing the shortage of suitable placements and treatment solutions for youth requiring intensive care due to medical, mental health, behavioral health, and trauma-related issues. The county's goal in developing this campus is to ensure that these children receive necessary care within an environment that prioritizes both their health and safety.

The press release further quotes Ronayne as saying: "Cuyahoga County wants to ensure that the children in our care have a safe place to receive services while being nurtured and guided toward a path to a stable and promising future. Our partnership with The Centers will help us work toward this goal."

In addition, Eric L. Morse, President and CEO of The Centers was quoted in the press release stating that Cleveland Christian Home is an ideal choice for the Cuyahoga County Child Wellness Campus due to its history as a sanctuary for children in critical situations. Morse affirmed his team's commitment to delivering an optimal experience for children in need.

The press release also highlighted that once fully developed, the campus will serve as a secure space for assessing and initiating treatment for youth awaiting placement. It will offer residential treatment and additional support for both youth and families. Ultimately, it aims to facilitate a safe return of children to their families or family-like settings through collaborative efforts between the county and partner agencies.

Jacqueline Fletcher, Director of Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services, was also quoted in the press release. She emphasized the collective responsibility for the safety and well-being of children under the county's care. Fletcher stated that addressing current treatment and placement challenges requires a community-wide effort. She expressed gratitude to partners at The Centers for their commitment to building improved solutions and resources for children. The Child Wellness Campus project reflects a collaboration involving Cuyahoga County’s Department of Children and Family Services, Juvenile Court, Family and Children First Council, the Board of Developmental Disabilities, and the Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County.