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Charlotte has been officially approved as a partner in a new behavioral health center for children by the City Council. The $2.5 million allocation for the Katie Blessing Center, located in the east Charlotte corridor at 5516 Central Avenue, will support the facility’s development. This facility will be one of the largest and most advanced pediatric healthcare facilities in the state, offering a range of services that focus on the whole child, including behavioral health urgent care, acute inpatient hospital, residential treatment facility, and traditional outpatient care.
The Katie Blessing Foundation, a nonprofit division of StarMed Healthcare, has already committed $20 million towards the project’s estimated total cost of $63 million. Councilwoman Marjorie Molina expressed her excitement about potentially being a partner in this endeavor and commended StarMed for their commitment and investment in this project. This initiative is timely as teen crime rates are rising in the city, highlighting the need for specialized behavioral health services for young individuals.
The city’s funds for the Katie Blessing Center will be pay-as-you-go starting from fiscal year 2025. Mecklenburg County has also pledged funding for this project. The Katie Blessing Foundation aims to eliminate barriers to healthcare access and ensure equitable access to communities with persistent health disparities. Named after Kathleen Estramonte, a retired elementary and special education teacher, the foundation seeks to address the lack of accessible mental health services in the region. Mayor Vi Lyles emphasized the importance of having more places that provide mental health support for our community.
In conclusion, Charlotte’s partnership with StarMed Healthcare is an important step towards addressing mental health disparities among children and youth in our community. As we continue to invest in this project, we can hope to see improved access to comprehensive mental health care that will ultimately benefit our entire community’s overall well-being.
