Press Release for Dedication of the James N Herr Residence Hall on the Sarah A Reed Children's Center Campus this morning January 19,2019

1. PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 19, 2019
Media Contact: James D. Mando, President/CEO
Phone: (814) 835-7603
JMando@SarahReed.org
2445 West 34th Street • Erie, PA 16506
www.SarahReed.org
SARAH A. REED CHILDREN’S CENTER DEDICATES NEW 12-BED
RESIDENCE HALL FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN
Building named in honor of the late James N. Herr, who served as President/CEO of Sarah Reed from 1970-1975
and was an active member of the agency’s Board
Erie, PA - Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center held a dedication ceremony for its newest residence hall for
at-risk children on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at the Center’s main campus in Millcreek Township.
This new 12-bed unit is the fifth residence hall at Sarah Reed’s Residential Treatment Facility, which is
expanding due to an increasing need for intensive 24-hour care for children ages 5-18 with significant
psychiatric and/or trauma related challenges. The new James N. Herr Hall will serve 25 children each year,
bringing the overall impact of the Residential Program to approximately 70 children annually.
Board members, administrators, project donors, community supporters and members of the Herr Family
attended the dedication ceremony, which included remarks from James D. Mando, President/CEO of Sarah
Reed; Thomas Hagen, Chairman of Erie Insurance; James Gavin, President of Community Care Behavioral
Health; and Patrick Herr, Director of Community Impact at The Erie Community Foundation and son of the late
James N. Herr. Guests also enjoyed a tour of the new facility following the official dedication of the building,
which was given by Richard McCarty, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Mercyhurst University.
Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center serves 1,700 children each year, many of whom have experienced significant
trauma. According to James D. Mando, President/CEO of Sarah Reed, “The label ‘traumatized children’ is
synonymous for children who have been physically, sexually and verbally abused and threatened. They are
children who have grown up in the households plagued by domestic violence, drug and alcohol use and
parents and others with their own mental health struggles. In fact, many of our kids can check the box on
having experienced all of the above and, as a result, have severe mental and behavioral health problems.”
“Herr Hall will enable us to serve approximately 25 more children each year with an average length of stay
between 6 months to 1 year at a cost of $360-$550 per day, based on the severity of the case, “said Mando.
“The kids that will reside here will come from almost every county in PA. Some children will be angry, some
will be depressed, some will strike out at other residents and adults and others will self-harm and have
attempted suicide. While they are here, they will work with psychiatrists and psychologists, therapists and
behavioral counselors to help them understand what has happened to them.”
The $1.2 million residence hall was funded through the generous support of many corporate, foundation and
individual donors. Lead donors include UPMC Health Plan and Erie Insurance, which each made a $200,000
major gift to the project, and B&L Wholesale Supply Co. contributed a total of $100,000 through their golf
tournaments held annually in support of the Center.
A time capsule will be placed inside James N. Herr Hall and is scheduled to be opened during the 200th
Anniversary of Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center in 2071. The time capsule includes special notes, artwork and
various commemorative pieces that were created by the children, Board members and staff. Guests in
attendance also had the opportunity to participate and be part of Sarah Reed’s rich history.
Celebrating 148 Years!

2. Staffed by a team of highly skilled psychiatrists, psychologists, medical staff, instructors and behavioral
counselors, the Residential Treatment Program is one of the few centers of its kind in the Erie region that is
certified in the Sanctuary® Model of trauma-informed care. Sadly 90 percent of the children in this program
have experienced severe trauma, neglect and abuse. Last year Sarah Reed’s Residential Program provided
round-the-clock medical, behavioral and educational support to 51 children from throughout Pennsylvania.
Since 2008, the Residential Program has made a difference for 604 children from 44 counties across Pennsylvania,
including Erie, Crawford, Allegheny, Dauphin and Philadelphia.
Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center is currently celebrating its 148th year of service and continues to be a trusted
resource and economic engine in Erie County. “Over the past 10 years, the Board has invested over $18
million back into improving our facilities and programs. We have also added 130 full-time employees to our
workforce, making Sarah Reed one of Erie County’s Top 50 employers. In total, our 370 employees touch the
lives of approximately 1,700 children and families each year,” said Mando.
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About Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center:
Serving the Erie Community since 1871, Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center is proud to be a leader in the
successful care and treatment of children with mental health, behavioral health and severe emotional
challenges, many of whom are victims of trauma and abuse. Each year the Children’s Center treats over 1,700
children and their families through the following programs: 24-Hour Residential Treatment, Partial and Acute
Partial Hospitalization Services, Outpatient Therapy and Psychiatric Medication Management, Psychological
Assessment, Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services, Alternative Education Programs, Career Alternative
Education Program and a Student Assistance Program. Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center is a certified
Sanctuary® Model Treatment Center and has been accredited by The Joint Commission since 1996. The
agency is also accredited by the American Psychological Association.
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