Lawmakers approve $17.5M authorization for Campus for Hope youth facility, demand monthly progress reports
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
After months of shifting plans and debate over costs, the Interim Finance Committee approved a $17.5 million funding authorization for Campus for Hope to construct two licensable youth care buildings; members required monthly progress reports and transparency about contracting and operating plans.
The Interim Finance Committee on Feb. 19 authorized a $17.5 million funding package for Campus for Hope to build two intermediate care/ICF‑level youth facilities on state land, but conditioned approval on monthly progress reports to legislative fiscal staff and continued oversight.
Background and change in scope: During the 2025 session the Legislature allocated $7.5 million (SB502/CIP language) to purchase three small cottages to replace aging intermediate care capacity. Committee testimony recounted that a land sale negotiated for the original three‑building plan fell apart in May 2025. State officials then shifted strategy to build on state land in two structures, designed to meet ICF licensure standards so the facilities could flex to PRTF or ICF levels as needs change. That expansion of scope, building standards, and prevailing‑wage requirements raised the projected total construction cost to $17.5 million.
Why the increase: Jack Rolfe (DHS) described technical and licensing requirements that drive up construction costs when a facility must meet current HCQC (health care quality and compliance) and Medicaid reimbursement standards. DHS and NHA staff said building to ICF standards provides longer‑term flexibility and can avoid future out‑of‑state placements for high‑needs youth. Campus for Hope representatives said their contractor has estimated the work can be done within the $17.5 million target but that a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) will be set at contracting.
Legislative concerns: Several members, including Speaker Jason Yager and Vice Chair Monroe Moreno, said they had not been adequately informed when the project shifted from the $7.5 million, three‑building concept to the $17.5 million two‑building plan. Members repeatedly asked when leadership learned of the changes and pressed for clearer communications and written agreements before the funding was authorized.
Committee action: Vice Chair Monroe Moreno moved to approve the request with the condition that NDE/DHS/Campus for Hope provide monthly progress reports to fiscal staff and add the project to future IFC agendas as informational items. The motion passed.
What comes next: DHS said it expects to finalize contracts in March and begin construction April 1, with a projected completion in 2027. The IFC required monthly progress reports to track contracting, GMP formation, Medicaid licensure steps, and how funds will be spent (order of spend: ARPA first, opioid funds second, $7.5M final payment upon certificate of occupancy).