DAYTON, OHIO – Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) held a press conference at Dayton Children’s Hospital with Deborah Feldman, President & CEO of Dayton Children’s. The House Appropriations Committee’s version of the FY24 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding legislation includes $2 million in congressional Community Project Funding for the Dayton Children’s Foundation’s Behavioral Health Crisis Center. Once that bill becomes law, the funds will be used by the hospital to construct a new facility aimed at increasing mental health services for young children in need of care.
“I’m proud to bring federal support for the mental health project that Dayton Children’s is bringing to our community,” said Congressman Mike Turner. “Deborah has been in my office several times over the past few years to discuss the issue of mental health and behavioral health services for children, and she would relay what the hospital is seeing. I am very glad that in the request that they have put forward, I have been able to secure the first step in getting a $2 million grant for this facility. I look forward to this project coming to fruition.”
“Here at Dayton Children's, we’ve been working hard to find the best path forward to address the growing mental health crisis. This is the healthcare crisis of its generation,” said Deborah Feldman, President and CEO of Dayton Children’s Hospital. “We developed this strategic plan that really starts with early intervention and prevention, goes through outpatient services, acute care services, crisis, and really the centerpiece of that plan is this new building that you see going up right here. That will allow us to expand our inpatient services from 24 beds to 48 beds but also have a really important outpatient component, which is what the Congressman has been able to help us make a reality. We could not have a stronger advocate or friend in Washington and here in Dayton.”
Background:
For more than 50 years, the physicians and residents at Dayton Children’s Hospital have provided their patients in Southwest Ohio with the finest pediatric care available.
Congressman Turner is leading the congressional funding effort for Dayton Children’s and is the primary sponsor of the hospital’s request for federal funds.
The new 113,000 square foot building would generate the creation of 175 construction jobs over nearly two years. Once the building is opened in early 2025, the building will create 87 professional jobs focused specifically on mental health care needs. There will be an additional 72 support services jobs created including dietary, building services, public security, child life, and environmental services for the new building. Combined, the new building will create 159 new, permanent jobs for the region.
This facility will also serve as a critical regional training site for students from at least 20 Ohio counties who are pursuing a range of behavioral health credentials.