Unity OKs plan for new Adelphoi girls' housing

Adelphoi will be allowed to add a new housing facility for at-risk girls at its main campus in Unity.

Township supervisors this week approved a site plan for Middle Creek IV, a proposed 7,500-square-foot building for housing up to 15 girls on the nonprofit’s campus, which straddles Unity and the city of Latrobe.

The building would be part of an “enhanced supervision” program for girls that could be a first in Pennsylvania, according to Karyn Pratt, Adelphoi’s director of marketing.

“Enhanced supervision serves as an alternative to secure programs, offering an increased level of care over a community-based group home and a less intensive environment than a secure residential facility,” Pratt said. “There are currently no enhanced supervision programs for girls in the state of Pennsylvania, with Adelphoi offering the only such program for boys.”

Girls housed in the building would receive instruction at Adelphoi’s Ketterer Charter School, also located on the campus, as well as therapeutic, recreational and behavioral health services.

Construction depends upon Adelphoi securing funding for the estimated $4.3 million project, Pratt said.

In addition to the charter school, the campus includes six residential facilities, administration and education buildings, a welcome center, a career services lab, a recreational facility, a behavioral health center and a new Youth and Family Center.

“Moving forward, Adelphoi hopes to expand its educational and career services facilities, as well as continue to improve and enhance its existing green spaces,” Pratt said.

Adelphoi began in 1971 with a group home for troubled boys and now serves children and families with programs in more than 30 counties — including residential group homes, foster and adoptive care, educational services and in-home treatment.