Families with children who experience behavioral health issues often have to travel to multiple care facilities to see multiple teams of specialists. In Flint, Mich., the new Center for Children’s Integrated Services at Genesee Health System (GHS), a public mental health provider, brings together all of the GHS children’s programs, including its behavioral health programs, under one roof. It provides families a single destination for their children’s mental healthcare.
The facility aims to integrate and improve behavioral health care and primary care for underserved families. Designed by HED, the 60,000-sf facility unifies the three core children’s behavioral health programs—the Neurological Center for Excellence, Child and Family Services, and the Children’s Autism Center—as well as community outreach and a federally qualified health care center.
The Center for Children’s Integrated Services features a series of “autism pods” and an autism playground area. As a therapeutic tool, the playground allows children with autism to engage with nature through sensory-rich features. Autism has been one of the leading outcomes seen from the Flint water crisis, according to GHS.
HED designed the building’s layout to improve navigation and efficiency for patients, families, and medical staff, while also enhancing visibility and accessibility. The facility offers a secure drop-off area, a secure playground, a café, an outdoor plaza, and comfortable waiting areas.
In addition, the Center for Children’s Integrated Services will help develop medical innovation in the evaluation and treatment of lead poisoning. This work will inform best practices for treatment around the world.
The facility is located along a main bus line in Flint, improving transportation access to health services for low- and moderate-income families.
On the Building Team:
Owner: Greater Flint Children’s Mental Health Facilities, Inc.
Design architect and architect of record: HED
MEP engineer and structural engineer: HED
General contractor/construction manager: DW Lurvey Construction
Related Stories
| Sep 24, 2013
8 grand green roofs (and walls)
A dramatic interior green wall at Drexel University and a massive, 4.4-acre vegetated roof at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center in Kansas City are among the projects honored in the 2013 Green Roof and Wall Awards of Excellence.
Sponsored | | Sep 23, 2013
Nichiha USA panels provide cost savings for community project
When tasked with the design and development of a newly constructed Gateway Rehabilitation Center, architects at Rothschild Doyno Collaborative first designed the new center to include metal panels. When the numbers came back, they were challenged with finding a product that would help cut costs and keep them within the construction budget. Nichiha’s fiber cement panels come in a half or less of the metal panel cost.
Sponsored | | Sep 23, 2013
HKS leverages Revu and Bluebeam Studio for IPD on the Banner Health MD Anderson Health Center project
Read how HKS is working collaboratively with all project partners and streamlining information flow using Bluebeam Revu and Bluebeam Studio to digitize communication and deliver the facility using IPD.
| Sep 19, 2013
What we can learn from the world’s greenest buildings
Renowned green building author, Jerry Yudelson, offers five valuable lessons for designers, contractors, and building owners, based on a study of 55 high-performance projects from around the world.
| Sep 19, 2013
6 emerging energy-management glazing technologies
Phase-change materials, electrochromic glass, and building-integrated PVs are among the breakthrough glazing technologies that are taking energy performance to a new level.
| Sep 19, 2013
Roof renovation tips: Making the choice between overlayment and tear-off
When embarking upon a roofing renovation project, one of the first decisions for the Building Team is whether to tear off and replace the existing roof or to overlay the new roof right on top of the old one. Roofing experts offer guidance on making this assessment.
| Sep 17, 2013
Healthcare project will merge outpatient clinic with YMCA to promote wellness and prevention
Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region announce collaboration, along with developer The Boldt Company, to create next-generation wellness facility.
| Sep 16, 2013
Study analyzes effectiveness of reflective ceilings
Engineers at Brinjac quantify the illuminance and energy consumption levels achieved by increasing the ceiling’s light reflectance.
| Sep 11, 2013
BUILDINGChicago eShow Daily – Day 3 coverage
Day 3 coverage of the BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland conference and expo, taking place this week at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.
| Sep 10, 2013
The new medical office building: 7 things to know about today’s outpatient clinic
Regulatory pressures, economic constraints, and emerging technologies are transforming healthcare. Learn how Building Teams are responding with efficient, appealing, boundary-blurring outpatient buildings.
