Since 2009 Genesis hasn't had the resources to help kids ages 8 to 17 with mental and behavioral health issues with an inpatient facility. They had to close their old unit because of the recession. But times have changed.
The new facility opens Tuesday with five in house bedrooms, a dining room, lounge, and a seclusion room.
Genesis mental health directors say the unit is equipped with the latest mental health technologies to insure the safety of its patients. The doors are made so no one can lock themselves in, the windows are shatter proof, beds are 300 pounds so they can't be moved and objects can't be hidden underneath.
Dr. Jeffrey Weyeneth says a facility like this one is crucial for the Quad Cities, a place that will focus on helping young people with mental illness.
"We see a lot of mental illnesses that develop early on in childhood and early adolescence that, left untreated, are only going to get worse," says Dr. Weyeneth.
The facility recently hired more than 15 new nurses and behavioral health technicians. But officials say the main recruiting priority is hiring a full time psychiatrist and nurse practitioner.
When the unit opens Tuesday, five beds will be available to patients. But come July of 2016, the hope is that there will be eight beds.
Weyeneth says it's important that Genesis is doing its part in combating mental health issues.
"We're doing it to serve a need in our community because we can't let these people go without the help they need because we've seen the results of that. We've seen the tragedies that happen when mental health goes untreated. And I think it's time we step up so those things don't happen anymore," says Weyeneth.