Deputy Secretary outlines $3.6 million FY27 recommendation to maintain youth services facilities

Deputy Secretary Allison McGonigal, speaking for the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families, told the joint bond committee the department oversees roughly 360,000 square feet across 18 state-owned buildings with an average age of about 44 years and nine residential sites that serve youth with behavioral-health needs or involved in the juvenile justice system. She said the governor’s FY27 capital recommendation includes $3,600,000 for campus paving and curbing, replacement of rooftop air handlers at Ferris School, and support for maintenance and restoration and minor capital improvement funds.

McGonigal described recent projects completed or under way: the federally funded Wharton Hall renovation opened as the John E. Stevenson Youth Center in August 2025; Cleveland White Building construction is scheduled for completion in July 2026 and will allow the department to terminate an expiring lease; and design work on a renovation at the DHSS Stokely campus to create a 12‑bed congregate foster‑care setting is nearing completion. She listed a deferred‑maintenance backlog that includes 24/7 housing unit upgrades, HVAC replacements at 24/7 facilities, and window‑glass replacements.

At question from Sen. Walsh and other members, McGonigal said the department requested $2,000,000 in minor capital funds but the governor recommended $1,000,000. “The $2,000,000 would allow us to initiate potentially another project or fully initiate at least one project,” she said; with $1,000,000 “a lot of our projects are exceeding that amount, so we’re not even able to initiate that project in full.”

Committee members also pressed on temporary shelter arrangements after reports of youth staying overnight in office space. McGonigal said the department has requested $6,000,000 for the Stokely Center design and that design is underway, but the project is likely two years from being fully operational because it will be a contracted program. As an interim step she said DSCYF is planning to reconfigure Grace Cottage on the main administration campus and develop staffing and policy to operate a 24/7 temporary shelter environment; the department aims for Grace Cottage to be operational in September following June–August hiring and policy work.

Why it matters: the department manages facilities that provide both everyday program space and secure residential care for young people whose needs require 24/7 supervision. Agency leaders told the committee that without the higher level of capital funding some projects will remain stalled in design or partial procurement, prolonging reliance on temporary measures.

What’s next: the committee did not take a vote. Agency staff said they are available for follow‑up questions and scheduled the next presentation on the committee agenda.