AMERICAN FORK — The Utah State Developmental Center has broken ground on a new building, the Admission Safe House, which will serve and support people with intellectual disabilities who have immediate, complex or acute needs. The new $7 million building, funded by the Utah Legislature this year, will replace two older buildings that will be torn down on the center's property, 895 N. 900 East.
The building will be an intensive care unit-like facility for people with mental health needs. The state’s high population of children with autism and those with other intellectual disabilities is aging and includes people who may need critical emergency supports to return to community life.
“This building is a great blessing to everyone,” said Carmen Pingree, founder of the Carmen B. Pingree Center for Children with Autism, parent of a developmental center resident and member of the center's governing body. “We’re so thankful for what it will be able to mean to families … to have a good, safe place with people that love and care about these children. It’s a great gift to our community and something which our family will always be grateful.”
The new facility will include three residential housing units, two units for up to 22 men and one for up to 11 women. It will also include three counseling areas, one multi-use room, activity space, and a courtyard in each unit.
Construction is expected to be complete fall 2016.