YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Michael Latessa, executive director of the Rich Center for Autism, outlines plans for a major renovation project that will expand the center’s capacity by approximately 33% and create new spaces designed to better serve both students and families.
Phase two of the renovation will focus on transforming the building’s basement into a multiuse area that includes a parent resource room, flexible meeting spaces, new offices, storage areas and a large room that can be divided for training, seminars and professional development.
Latessa explains that one of the goals of the project is to give parents a private, supportive space with a separate entrance, allowing them to meet, talk and find support without disrupting students during the school day. The expanded space will also allow the center to offer short-term support services for families currently on waiting lists and help ease the growing demand for autism-related services.
The renovation follows earlier upgrades to the roof, corridors and classrooms and is designed to strengthen the center’s ability to serve families across the Mahoning Valley while increasing collaboration, training opportunities and community support.