New, ground-up project will create the first comprehensive children’s behavioral health facility in South Los Angeles.
Kedren Community Health Center Inc. has selected HOK and McCarthy Building Companies Inc. to design and construct a comprehensive children’s inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facility in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Kedren Children’s Village will provide psychiatric inpatient, outpatient and urgent care, transitional housing units and primary care as a federally qualified health center (FQHC). The holistic approach to care prioritizes pediatric well-being and community health in an underserved region of the city.
This is HOK’s first project with Kedren Health and second behavioral health design-build with McCarthy. Here are what the project leaders are saying about the new facility:
“We are excited to play a role in this significant project alongside McCarthy and Kedren Health,” said Adaeze Cadet, design principal for HOK’s Los Angeles studio. “Building on HOK’s recent work in the neighborhood, the creation of this new campus tackles a vital need for pediatric behavioral health resources in Los Angeles.”
Grady Ritua, project director at McCarthy, commented, “McCarthy is honored to partner with Kedren Health and HOK to deliver the first-ever comprehensive behavioral health facility dedicated to serving the youth of South Los Angeles. This project is a testament to Kedren’s profound impact on the local community over the last 60 years and our joint commitment to building a brighter and healthier future for generations to come.”
“Thanks to our donors, supporters and partners, we are realizing our founder’s vision to eliminate health disparities for all children, adults and families in South Los Angeles,” said Dr. John H. Griffith, president of Kedren Health. “We are proud to deliver a holistic and integrated one-stop medical home model for healing and reintegration – a first for California.”
Greg Polk, CEO at Kedren Health, shared, “This is a watershed moment for Kedren, our community and healthcare in LA. We are excited to have partners in HOK and McCarthy who share our commitment to creating equity in underserved communities.”
The project will also emphasize environmental sustainability, community health and stability.
HOK’s Healthcare and Behavioral Health teams are leaders in the design of therapeutic and healing environments. Other recent projects in Southern California include UCLA Health Neuropsychiatric Hospital and VA Long Beach Inpatient and Outpatient Mental Health and Community Living Center.