Cuyahoga County and The Centers lead the way in child-centered care across Ohio

Cuyahoga County, OH - Cuyahoga County and The Centers today applauded Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth for investing in The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus®. The Regional Child Wellness Campus funding will allow us to complete construction on the campus and expand services for children in our care.

“This investment is a testament to our commitment to protect children and strengthen families,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus® is about transforming how we respond to trauma and how we support healing. With Governor DeWine’s support, we are building a groundbreaking model that places children at the very heart of care and creates brighter, stronger futures for families across our community.”

“This funding allows us to move forward with a bold, integrated vision for child and family wellness,” said Eric Morse, President and CEO of The Centers. “The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus® provides a safe and supportive space where children can access behavioral health services, and families can connect to the resources they need in one place. This initiative ensures children and youth remain close to home, access comprehensive care, and work toward reuniting with their families. We are proud to stand alongside Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio in advancing a model rooted in collaboration, dignity, and healing.”

This project is a collaboration with Cuyahoga County’s DCFS, Juvenile Court, Family and Children First Council, the Board of Developmental Disabilities, and the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County.

“This funding is a lifeline for the children in our care,” said Jacqueline Fletcher, Director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). “When a child enters our care, they are often in crisis, and they deserve more than safety; they deserve healing and hope. The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus® allows us to bring together critical services under one roof and deliver trauma-informed care that meets their needs immediately. We are building a future where every child feels protected, supported, and valued.”

Once complete, the Campus will include a newly renovated Welcome Center, school, kitchen and cafeteria, administrative offices and elevator, improved parking, and private bedrooms reinforced for safety (e.g., ligature resistant).

The Child Wellness Welcome Center is a compassionate, family-centered entry point for children experiencing a placement crisis. Co-operated by The Centers and DCFS, the Welcome Center will provide immediate stabilization, assessment, and support in a safe, developmentally appropriate environment designed to reduce trauma and strengthen family connections.

Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Welcome Center will serve as the front door for all children entering the care continuum. Every child and youth referred through DCFS, hospitals, or law enforcement will first arrive at the Welcome Center, where they receive a warm, trauma-informed welcome, an initial medical and behavioral health screening, and coordinated care planning. The environment of the Welcome Center is designed to be noninstitutional and therapeutic, prioritizing safety, dignity, and comfort for children while key systems determine next steps.

Renovations throughout the Campus are underway and the Welcome Center is expected to be completed at the end of November 2026.

“This project is the result of bold local leadership and a shared belief that our children deserve better than being placed in hotels, offices, or other settings during moments of crisis,” said Dawnya Underwood, Executive Director of The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus®. “We are proud that the model developed here in Cuyahoga County helped inform the State’s broader Child Wellness Campus initiative. It’s an honor to see Ohio scale this approach so more communities can provide the right care at the right time.”

“With this partnership and investment, we are creating a sustainable model that other communities can replicate,” Executive Ronayne added. “Together, we are setting a new standard for how Ohio cares for its children.”

To learn more about The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus®, visit thecentersohio.org/hope-home and cuyahogacounty.gov.