LOUISVILLE, KY — The Home of the Innocents will break ground on Monday, Jan. 13, on a historic 75,000-square-foot expansion of its East Market Street campus. The $75 million project will increase capacity at Kentucky’s only medically complex long-term care facility for children, addressing a critical need for expanded services.
“This is an incredible milestone for our organization and a major step toward caring for our residents with complex medical needs,” said Paul Robinson, President and CEO of Home of the Innocents. “Over 30% of young adult residents who have lived with us, sometimes for their entire lives, have nowhere to go when they turn 21. Many nursing facilities only accept residents aged 55 and older. We are excited to expand and better serve our families and Kentucky’s children with medical complexities.”
The Kentucky General Assembly allocated $30 million for the project during its 2024 session, with the Home of the Innocents privately raising $26 million toward matching the state’s contribution. Additional funds will be secured to complete the initiative.
Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, underscored its importance. “The expansion of Home of the Innocents’ mission is exactly the type of project the legislature wants to embrace. We are proud to make a difference for families who face heart-wrenching decisions regarding their children’s care,” she said.
The expansion will add 50 beds, allowing it to serve young adults beyond age 21 while increasing capacity for children. Once complete, the facility will grow to accommodate 126 medically complex residents. Construction is expected to take approximately two years, with new capacity becoming available in phases.
Home of the Innocents currently serves children and young adults from across Kentucky, a state where approximately 12,000 children meet the medical requirements for nursing facility care. The expansion represents a critical step in addressing this growing demand.