June 01, 2007

Contact: Rosa Rozek
773.374.1000

The Campagna Academy Residential Treatment Center

SCHERERVILLE, IN – Celebrating 60 years, Campagna Academy has been restoring hope and building dreams for troubled adolescents.  And now, with the construction of a new $9 million, state-of-the-art residential facility for which the groundbreaking ceremony will take place on june 1, it will be able to expand its commitment to serving the children and families of Lake County.

Selected due to their experience in the design of similar behavioral health facilities, James Child's Architects faced the task of incorporating a secure environment with a building design that provided a home-like atmosphere for the 48 new, young residents who will be living there. REsembling a tow-story apartment building, the facility will be situated in a picturesque, park-like setting on the agency's campus, and also will include four educational classrooms, a computer lab and therapists' offices.

"The Facilities that they have currently are somewhat dated," noted Martin J. Murphy, a principal with James Child's Architects. "Campagna was able to demonstrate a clear demand for a secure facility in Lake County which has seen a rise in more serious cases. This has lockdown capability,

"There were discussions to make sure that this building fit in terms of scale and appearance," Murphy noted.  "While it was necessary to acknowledge the other buildings on campus, the new adolescent residence building is intended to set the tone for future development on the campus."
Project construction will be managed by Berglund Construction, currently celebrating its 96th Anniversary.  Berglund's key role in Preconstruction played an essential part to ensure the project design stayed within budget and ensured its constructability.  "Another key element addressed in the preplanning phase was keeping the campus functional and safe during the project," noted Bill Gorski Jr. CPE, Vice President of Berglund Construction.  Berglund provides Construction Management and General construction services to healthcare, Education, Government, and Commercial clients.  The General sErvices Administration has recognized Berglund's Restoration Division with its Excellence Award for Quality and the Construction Advancement Foundation of NOrthern Indiana have repeatedly recognized Berglund's quality performance.

The new 41, 500-square foot building, which will allow Campagna Academy to offer residential treatment to girls for the first time in its history, is slated to be complete and operational in approximately 14 months.  Campagna Academy CEO Bruce D. Hillman commented, "We are extremely excited and proud to be able to serve more adolescents right here in Lake County.  Today, there are over 645 kids from Lake County requiring residential treatment services, and last year there were 684 with almost 50%being sent for services out of county or even out of state.  Our new facility almost doubles our residential capacity and we'll be able to serve so many more youth in county."

"Our Expansion also will create and additional 35 to 40 permanent jobs in Lake County," Mr. Hillman continued.  "Our workforce today is around 110 employees and 81% of them reside in county.  Further, the addition of the facility will potentially keep $500,000 per year in tax dollars staying within our community by not sending adolescents out of county for treatment."

Campagna Academy is comprised of five main areas of programming: Residential, Day Treatment, Counseling, Foster Care, and Charter High School.  Residential treatment is at the core of the not-for-profit agency's work and the new facility will serve girls in residential care for the first time. Campagna's day treatment program addresses needs of boys and girls at risk for out-of-home-placement or expulsion form school, by filling their day with a variety of group topics and one-on-one support.  The counseling center provides groups for substance abuse, anger, and batterers.  Through the agency's therapeutic foster care program, loving homes are sought for disadvantaged youth.  The Charter school prepares all area youth to attend college or begin a trade after graduation.