Created with a strong network of public and private partners, The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus™ provides a strategic, local response to the growing need for intensive trauma-informed youth services. As a residential program, we serve youth in crisis or in need of comprehensive evaluation prior to long-term placement. Together, we provide high-quality, coordinated care close to home, filling a critical gap in the regional continuum by supporting youth involved in child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health systems.
The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus™ shows what’s possible when care is coordinated and compassionate. Through a trauma-informed, data-driven model, we help youth heal and rebuild trust while aligning families, caregivers, and system partners around each young person’s needs. This coordinated approach improves placement stability, strengthens families, and builds a healthier community for all.
Dawnya Underwood, LMSW, PMD, is a visionary nonprofit executive and child welfare strategist with over 20 years of experience leading systems change. As Executive Director of The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus™, she champions trauma-informed care, cross-sector partnerships, and innovative solutions that strengthen families and stabilize youth before crisis occurs. Her leadership is rooted in justice, compassion, and a deep commitment to building systems that uplift and protect children, families and communities.
The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus™ is an integrated community of care supporting youth and families with prevention, treatment, stabilization, and long-term healing.
Education and Life Readiness
In partnership with Cleveland Metropolitan School District, youth receive six hours of on-site instruction daily across 185 school days, with academic plans tailored to each student’s unique needs.
Enrichment and Wellness
Youth participate in daily programming focused on art, recreation, self-esteem, physical wellness, and specialized enrichment activities.
Clinical Services/Programming
Youth receive weekly individual and group therapy sessions, guided by evidence-based models such as Trauma-Informed Care and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). These approaches promote healing, build healthy coping strategies, and strengthen emotional resilience.
Family-Centered Support
Programs that actively engage families and caregivers, rebuild relationships, and strengthen long-term connections.
Transportation
Health Services
Youth have access to 24/7 on-site nursing, psychiatric care with medication management, and primary care, and dental services through The Centers’ health network.
The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus™ adopted and implemented Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a structured, evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents exposed to trauma. Key components include:
Our environment, policies, and practices are aligned with Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles, including Safety, Trustworthiness & Transparency, Peer Support & Collaboration, Empowerment & Choice and Cultural Responsiveness.
The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus™ completes regular diagnostic and assessments within its current clinical structure in compliance with Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (ODBH) and Department of Children and Youth (DCY).
Families are engaged while children receive treatment and during family team meetings. Staff work with families a minimum of 30 days prior to discharge to prepare for their transition home, when applicable. Staff use the evidence-based Family Finding model to identify existing connections to extended family.
In addition to engaging with families a month before discharge, The Center’s H.O.P.E. Campus™ works with youth and families (as applicable) for up to six months post-discharge in a trauma-focused aftercare program. When youth are placed with family, parents are trained in behavioral interventions to support placement stability.
The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus™ has an around-the-clock Federally Qualified Health Center. Staff include registered nurses, a nurse practitioner, a child psychiatrist, and a child medical officer.
