CentraCare Breaks Ground on Clara’s House Expansion in St. Cloud

(KNSI) – CentraCare has broken ground in St. Cloud on a first-of-its-kind facility for children in the Midwest.

On Tuesday, CentraCare leaders, planning committee members, and construction partners held the groundbreaking ceremony at St. Cloud Hospital’s Clara’s House. Located at 1564 County Road 134, the 5,785-square-foot addition will include four classrooms and observation spaces for youth and adolescent services.

The CentraCare Foundation has pledged $3.1 million and is working to secure more funding for an early childhood playground equipped with safe and age-appropriate for children.

The expansion will allow Clara’s House to launch its Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program. The program works with children between five and 18 years old and their families facing mental health challenges. It will now be able to help three- to five-year-olds. The program offers psychiatric and therapeutic services, along with building skills and art and recreation therapy.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, studies highlight a rise in mental health issues among children, with anxiety and depression rates soaring by nearly 30% in recent years.

The expansion should be finished in early 2025. For more information on Clara’s House, click here.

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