6/9/25 news article

Dayton Children’s offers inside look at Mathile Center for Mental Health and Wellness

Dayton Children’s Hospital celebrates the completion of the Mathile Center for Mental Health and Wellness, welcoming the community with a tour.

“Every detail of the Mathile Center was designed with intention—creating a beautiful, welcoming environment that is both safe and deeply healing,” said Cindy Burger, vice president and chief experience officer at Dayton Children's Hospital.

“We know that space matters, especially for children in crisis, and we wanted to reflect the same compassion and care that our team brings to every child and family who walks through these doors.”

A strategic approach
“Mental health is the defining crisis of our children’s generation and therefore, one of our strategic priorities,” said Debbie Feldman, president and CEO of Dayton Children’s Children’s. “The Mathile Center serves as the centerpiece of a full spectrum of services Dayton Children’s provides for the community, from therapists in schools to community health workers, to the new and expanded mental health outpatient care center in Miamisburg. It anchors a strong alignment with our community-based providers, as no one organization can do it alone.”

The Mathile Center consolidates, expands and enhances all the crisis mental health services currently available at Dayton Children’s under one roof, while adding novel solutions to difficult problems. This allows for greater continuity of care, operational efficiencies and better communication.

“For example, before a child is discharged from the inpatient unit, we can take them down to meet the day treatment team making it much more comfortable for the child,” says Kelly Blankenship, DO, associate chief of mental health at Dayton Children’s. “The child now knows what to expect, and is therefore much more likely to continue their care in the program. That matters because kids who attend our day treatment programs are 50% less likely to have a repeat inpatient stay.”

services inside

Price Family Crisis Center - Moving and expanding from the main hospital, this space adds more assessment rooms to allow greater access so more children will be able to get care when they need, keeping families closer to home.
Inpatient treatment - Also moving and expanding from the main hospital, the inpatient unit doubles in size offering 48 beds across two floors. Each bedroom has a private bathroom and a unique media board. Children also have access to three outdoor spaces to take advantage of the natural healing properties of fresh air and sunshine. Therapy can consist of movement like yoga or dance, art expression and music.
Bridge clinic - This service “bridges” the gap between a crisis event and connection to a long-term therapist for kids and teens who are not linked to a community mental health provider. Expanded staff and space now mean that every child who comes to the crisis center meets with a mental health professional the very next day. That care continues until a transition can be made to a provider in the community, which can sometimes take a few weeks.
Day treatment - Moving from the First Street location, day treatment consists of two programs – partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient. These programs follow an inpatient stay and allow a child to continue their healing journey with a higher level of treatment after they return home.

together, we can
This giant leap forward is only possible with the generous support of the community.

Governor DeWine and the regional delegation for the Ohio Assembly allocated $25 million dollars to this project from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Congressman Mike Turner and the Department of Housing and Urban Development granted $2 million.
The Mathile family has a legacy of support for the hospital, a generous donation to this project and community engagement to encourage others.
All donors to the Do.More. so all kids thrive campaign to elevate mental health which raised more than $24 million for this project.

fast facts