On Friday April 4, Kedren Health hit the pavement as the organization began the building process of its newest campus, the 103,000 square foot Kedren Children’s Village. The new development is a first-of-its-kind as it aims to be a national model for comprehensive mental health care. Kedren is investing $145 million into the new mental health complex.
Located in Watts, Calif., the future campus will administer children with primary care, mental health services, and family housing in a comforting community setting. It sets the premise of a new standard for hospitals and mental health facilities nationwide as its focus is to provide community-based all encompassing mental health care for children and youth. For 60 years, Kedren Health has remained a staple in the South Los Angeles community as the organization has dedicated its resources to eliminating health disparities and providing equitable healthcare access to residents.
Gregory Polk, CEO of Kedren Health, spoke about the services that will be offered for community members “It’s a huge investment in the families and children of this community. There are resources here that they can use. If a family is unhoused, there’s an opportunity for them to be housed,” said Gregory Polk, CEO of Kedren Health. “There’s also primary care for adults, as well as children. This is one-of-a-kind in the nation. There’s no other mental health hospital that has primary care onsite, we are the first to do it and we are proud.”
Vice Chair of the Board of Kedren Health, Dr. Berta Ortiz, has spent 33 years working at Kedren, most of her professional life. Ortiz became a board member in 2021. She has witnessed the growth of Kedren over time from a small organization to the organization it is today.
“Children are the adults of tomorrow. It is so important to support them and create an environment where they can grow and thrive.” She added, This is very close to my heart. I am looking forward to the ribbon cutting that will happen in two years.”
The campus will feature a total of three core buildings:
• An inpatient psychiatric hospital offering 24 acute care beds and 16 crisis residential treatment beds for children and youth in crisis.
• An outpatient services center that includes a crisis stabilization unit, community-based programs, and therapy.
• Transitional family housing that will provide a stable, safe and supportive environment for up to 18 months. This will also eliminate transportation barriers to enable clients to meet their appointment needs.
Kedren Children’s Village key features will also include integrated support services; enhanced mental health services; a 24-unit transitional housing site; expanded outpatient capacity; an onsite pharmacy; and a new Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that will provide primary care services for children and families. McCarthy Building Companies and HOK (architecture design) led the ground break and building of the property. The full development of Kedren Children’s Village is scheduled to be completed by 2027 with building construction ending in June of 2026 according to Design Principal of HOK, Adaeze Cadet. It will be a 3 structure building with transitional housing located in the back of the facility. The design process began 2 years ago.
“I researched the history of Watts and the history of Kedren to really understand what this means for the community.” She added, “As we are designing these colorful spaces, we are keeping in mind that it’s a space for children.”
The Watts community showed up for the ground break event with various community members, elected officials, community organizations, and key stakeholders all in attendance. The Compton Kidz Club even held a riveting singing performance after various guest speakers shared their excitement about the development.
Elected officials and community members such as Congresswoman Maxine Waters; Congresswoman Sydney Kamalger-Dove; Assemblymember Mike Gipson; Board Vice Chair of Kedren Health, Dr. Berta Ortiz; former CEO of Kedren Health, Dr. John Griffith; CEO, Gregory Polk and more attended.
Congresswoman of the 43rd District Maxine Waters shared the importance of Kedren’s newest addition. Kedren Children’s Village is vital for the community members that Waters directly advocates for.
“I started working with Kedren in 1977, one year after being elected to the California State Assembly. I’ve been able to witness the growth of its success from its founding, all the way to the COVID-19 pandemic.” She added, “The Community depends on Kedren… because Kedren has always been there, when no one else was there. And Kedren’s mission has been not only to help the children but the entire family, the entire community.
“Waters also discussed that the federal government should also support Kedren Health, a program that provides critical care and services to children and families of South Los Angeles.
Congresswoman of the 37th District of California, Rep Sydney Kamlager-Dove stressed the importance of supporting young people and children in need.
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Mr. Gregory Polk, Kedren Health. Photo Courtesy of FDL Entertainment.
“The Kedren Children’s Village is a transformative investment in the future of our communities,” said Rep Kamalager-Dove (CA-37). She added, “By uniting mental health care, primary care, and family housing, it not only supports children in need but also strengthens the entire ecosystem of care.”
A step in an upward direction, children and adults of the Watts and South Los Angeles Communities will have more opportunity for adequate and proper healthcare access.