When Akron Children’s Hospital relocated its inpatient behavioral health unit last month, administrators turned a potentially stressful move into a welcoming experience for young patients. The new unit, situated in the Kay Jewelers Pavilion, is part of a $21 million investment aimed at expanding capacity and improving care for children ages 5 to 18.
Kid‑Friendly Transition
To ease anxiety, staff created a scavenger‑hunt style orientation. Children followed a series of clues that led them from the former eighth‑floor location to their new rooms, where each child received a large Squishmallow plush toy as a comforting welcome. “Instead of focusing on the anxiety of the transition, they had a purposeful activity that helped them feel more comfortable,” said Donna Koterba, director of inpatient behavioral health.
Expanded Capacity and New Amenities
The previous unit housed 24 beds; the new space offers 30 beds with the ability to expand to 40. It also includes a dedicated crisis stabilization area where a parent or guardian can stay overnight with their child, a gym, a sensory room, a quiet room, and outdoor space. One parent or guardian will be able to stay with the child.
Each child now has a private room and bathroom, and common areas feature tables, alcoves, and seating nooks for group activities. “A big component of this build for us was how can we get the most natural light inside all the spaces that the kids are,” said Dr. Jason Spivey Sr., vice chair of behavioral health. “Sometimes we get kids that end up staying for a month or two, and they never get to see the outside. So they’ll at least be able to get some fresh air.”
Three Levels of Care
The unit is organized into three levels of care: general inpatient care, crisis stabilization, and high‑acuity care. The general inpatient program continues a milieu‑based approach, with children participating in group activities and small‑group treatment throughout the unit.
The new crisis stabilization program provides short‑term, focused care for children experiencing a specific behavioral health crisis. “That is a new level of care we’re offering,” Spivey explained, noting that stays are typically about one week, with the goal of returning children home within three days.
The high‑acuity area serves children with significant behavioral or psychiatric needs, such as self‑injury, aggression, or psychotic illness. Patients in this area receive a one‑to‑one staffing ratio, meaning a staff member is within arm’s reach 24‑7 to provide individualized support.
Improved Access and Efficiency
The new location shortens the distance between the emergency department and the behavioral health unit. The ER, located on the second floor of the same building, now allows patients to take an elevator directly to the unit, eliminating the previous need to transfer to the eighth floor.
Admissions to Akron Children’s have risen steadily over the past decade, from 954 in 2016 to 1,241 in 2025, with projections of about 1,400 admissions this year. Director Doug Straight noted an increasing need for more one‑to‑one staffing to meet higher acuity demands.
Supporting Families
Family involvement remains a cornerstone of the new design. The crisis stabilization area includes overnight accommodations for parents or guardians, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to keeping families together during treatment.
Overall, the expanded unit reflects Akron Children’s Hospital’s dedication to providing compassionate, family‑centered care for children facing behavioral health challenges, while creating a brighter, more welcoming environment for recovery.
Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.
