News & Press
RIVER EDGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Set to Hold Long-Anticipated Groundbreaking for a Crisis Stabilization Diagnostic Center for Adults with IDD in Macon
MACON – The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and River Edge Behavioral Health (River Edge) are set to hold the long-anticipated groundbreaking ceremony for the new Crisis Stabilization Diagnostic Center (CSDC) to serve adult individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), which was rescheduled due to Hurricane Idalia. The ceremony will commence at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, September 20th at 1241 Rev. J. L. Mills Senior Way, Macon, GA 31201.
A clinical partnership has been established between DBHDD and Mercer University School of Medicine (Mercer) to provide a broad range of specialized healthcare services at the new facility. Individuals with IDD will have immediate access to services such as internal medicine, dentistry, neurology, gastroenterology, physical therapy and audiology.
The 35,000 square-foot, sixteen-bed center will address the systemic gap in serving individuals with IDD and translate to better health outcomes. Individuals with IDD often have complex medical issues in addition to their underlying disability diagnoses. Whether living independently or in a group setting, people with IDD frequently do not have access to much-needed medical services.
The first of its kind in the state of Georgia, the facility is a collaboration between DBHDD, River Edge and Mercer and will be built on leased property provided by Macon-Bibb County. The project architect is Azar + Walsh Architects. The construction manager is Parrish Construction Group. The CSDC is expected to open in January 2025.
Macon Mayor Lester Miller, DBHDD Commissioner Kevin Tanner and Dr. Jean R. Sumner, Dean of Mercer University School of Medicine, will speak along with representatives from Azar + Walsh Architects, Parrish Construction Group and River Edge. Rev. Dr. Stephen Summerow, Senior Pastor with Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, will open the ceremony with an invocation.
The ceremony is open to the general public.
All marketing and media inquiries should be directed to Kelly McWilliams at kmcwilliams@river-edge.org or 478-803-7707.
About River Edge Behavioral Health
The full continuum of River Edge Behavioral Health services provides state-of-the-art treatment and supports for children, youth, families and adults who experience mental illness, addiction, co-occurring disorders or intellectual or developmental disabilities. A repetitive national award winner identified for its exemplary leadership by its international accrediting body, River Edge services extend throughout Georgia, including Baldwin, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Macon-Bibb, Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Twiggs, Wilkinson and Fulton counties. Learn more at www.river-edge.org. For help, call 478-803-7600.
About River Edge Foundation
River Edge Foundation, an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, raises private funds to help make life better for individuals who experience mental illness, addiction or an intellectual or developmental disability, especially individuals served and supported through the robust, community-based offerings of River Edge Behavioral Health. The Foundation strives for excellence in fundraising, investing and stewarding contributions and assets governing the Foundation, as well as forming lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with community partners, constituencies and stakeholders.