Ohio University-Chillicothe will soon have a new building on the campus, the Child Development Family Service Center. The Center is a collaborative community effort designed to include over 20,000 square feet of space devoted to essential health and education services for children. In addition to providing educational opportunities for OU-C education and nursing students, it will be home to a wide range of essential children’s health, nutrition, and education services. 

“The ability to forge a relationship between the community and area agencies which furthers the mission of Ohio University-Chillicothe is understandable – yet we intend to reach beyond this relationship and assist with economic and cultural development, ”Campus Dean Rich Bebee stated. Significant funding from MRDD will allow space for MRDD children to receive occupational and physical therapy services and limited clinical services. Some of these services will be delivered through partnerships with local providers. A range of services that are typically limited in availability to low-income families will now become a routine aspect of child development. OU-C students will have the opportunity to work with socio-economically disadvantaged children to help them with experiences and opportunities consistent with middle class families. The center will apply the Reggio Emilia philosophy of learning and encourage a hands-on style and project-based approach for all children.

“We anticipate the center would have the added benefit of opening the door for children who might not otherwise consider finishing high school and eventually attending college,” Bebee concluded.

— Kim Huddleston, Public Relations Coordinator