FamilyForward Awarded $1.2 Million From State
Addressing trauma with American Rescue Plan Act Funding
We were recently selected to receive a total of $1.2 million from the State of Missouri, which will be dedicated to the construction and renovation of a new advanced Developmental Trauma Center, Early Childhood Center, and Training and Research Institute, located in North St. Louis County (2700-2780 North Lindbergh Blvd).
Last fall, we purchased two buildings totaling more than 41,000 square feet, which sit on a 9.5-acre site (former Hickey College Culinary Institute and Vet Tech buildings). Ongoing renovations and construction of the two existing buildings began in January. The campus, opening this fall, will integrate and expand client services, double the number of children and family members served by 2025, and serve as the corporate office for the agency. In January, we will expand therapeutic preschool services from South St. Louis City to the new Early Childhood Center.
“FamilyForward’s strategic imperative is to be the hub for providing innovative services to support children and families in our region who have experienced trauma. We are bringing greater access and reach through this campus with increased capabilities and more services,” said Chris Reid, President, FamilyForward Board of Directors. “This new campus places us in a unique position to continue providing the leadership required to address the challenges for children who have experienced trauma and abuse at an early age.”
More than 1,750 children and family members with complex trauma were served by us in 2021. It is estimated that by 2025, after the completion of the Developmental Trauma Center campus, we will have the capacity to serve 3,000 area clients annually.
“Abuse and neglect can have enduring physical, intellectual, and psychological repercussions into adolescence and adulthood, including mental health issues that cause disruptions in all areas of life,” said Karen Nolte, FamilyForward CEO. “The new campus will permit us to increase our capacity to serve more children and families in our community, break this cycle of abuse and allow us to walk with members of our community on their journey of hope and healing.”
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was enacted on March 11, 2021 to aid public health and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Missouri received more than $2.3 billion in ARPA funding dedicated to six categories, including public health, public safety, economic development, water, wastewater, and stormwater, broadband, and behavioral health.
To learn more about our new location, visit https://broadenourimpact.org/