Public mental health provider Genesee Health System<\/a> (GHS; Flint, Mich.) was operating its children\u2019s mental health services from three separate buildings at different locations in Flint due to growth and expansion of services.<\/p>\n This set-up created barriers for families who had to navigate different services and programs. \u201cAlthough not every child had to go to all three places, we looked at it as disrespectful to individuals who might have had transportation challenges,\u201d says Danis (Dan) Russell, chief executive officer at GHS.<\/p>\n Demand for children\u2019s mental health services had also increased in the community over the years, exacerbated even more with the pandemic and the 2014 Flint water crisis that caused harmful effects of lead exposure, particularly in children, with autism being one of the leading outcomes.<\/p>\n A desire to serve as a one-stop shop for Genesee County families and mental health services, as well as anticipation for growing demand for children\u2019s services, led GHS to think about a new location.<\/p>\n GHS\u2019s initial plan was to rent a larger, existing building to colocate\u00a0 services as well as have room to expand its offerings, including adding a federally qualified health center (FQHC) for primary care services.<\/p>\n However, in August 2020, GHS received private and public funding to support building a facility designed for its specific needs. Soon after, the organization engaged HED<\/a>, a Detroit-based integrated architecture, engineering, and planning firm, to begin planning and design on a new facility in Flint.<\/p>\n Opened in September 2022, the new $23 million Center for Children\u2019s Integrated Services brings together all of GHS\u2019s core behavioral health programs, including the Neurological Center for Excellence, Child and Family Services, and the Children\u2019s Autism Center.<\/p>\n The facility also houses the new FQHC and Community Outreach, which includes child case management services and a mental health mobile clinic.<\/p>\n \u201cThe driving objective was to create a building that\u2019s designed for kids and where everyone\u2014kids, family, and staff\u2014feel that they are worth the effort, are important, and matter,\u201d Russell says.<\/p>\n To ease navigation within the 60,000-square-foot, two-level facility, designers utilized an L-shape layout. \u201cPatients and visitors don\u2019t need to navigate through a maze of hallways to find the correct treatment space,\u201d says Jessi Mesalic, associate and senior designer at HED.<\/p>\n On the first floor, the main lobby includes an open stairway, public caf\u00e9, and shared spaces that encourage socialization and connection for patients and families.<\/p>\n Each service line has its own dedicated area\/wing within the building that includes waiting areas. For example, the Children\u2019s Autism Center is on the first floor and features four treatment pods with different therapy areas as well as seven treatment observation areas with two-way observation windows and separate entrances for caregivers. \u201cIt was important that children didn\u2019t feel like they were on display,\u201d Mesalic says.<\/p>\n On the second floor, the Neurological Center for Excellence incorporates natural wood tones with pops of color in the waiting area to create an inviting atmosphere for children and their families.<\/p>\n The design team gathered input from caregivers to inform the center\u2019s overall design, including eliminating sharp angles in favor of rounded edges on treatment pods and spaces to help young patient see what’s coming next\u2014an important consideration for children with autism who can become apprehensive when they don’t know next steps.<\/p>\n The project also offered an opportunity to address staff needs. \u201cNot having a single facility fueled a lack of synergy and important cultural structure for caregivers,\u201d David Jaeger, principal and healthcare sector leader says.<\/p>\n To better foster a strong workplace culture at the new facility,\u00a0 designers added four dedicated staff respite spaces adjacent to flexible conference spaces and meeting rooms on the second floor to further support staff needs.<\/p>\n Overall, Russell says the new facility offers a welcoming center for patients, families, and staff. \u201cI hope they feel that when they walk into the Center for Children\u2019s Integrated Services,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n For more on mental health care in pediatric facilities, read this Healthcare Design<\/em> article here<\/a>.<\/p>\nPediatric mental health services on the rise<\/h2>\n
Unifying children’s behavioral health services<\/h2>\n
Caregiver input informs design<\/h2>\n