ROCK HILL — For families whose loved ones have intellectual and developmental disabilities, aging can bring a new and difficult question: what happens when a person’s medical needs become too complex for a traditional residential setting or nursing home, but they still deserve to remain in a place that feels like home?

The Center for Discovery (TCFD) is hoping to answer that question with its planned Transitional Living Community, a specialized skilled nursing demonstration project that recently received a $10 million capital grant in the FY27 New York State Budget.

TCFD says the Transitional Living Community will be built around small, highly supportive medical care neighborhoods for 40 aging adults with complex disabilities and medical fragility. The goal, according to The Center, is to reduce the frequency and duration of hospitalizations, prevent unnecessary discharges to traditional nursing facilities and promote stability, dignity and quality of life for residents.

Dr. Theresa Hamlin, President & Chief Executive Officer of The Center for Discovery, said the project is meant to fill a gap in care for a population that is living longer, but also facing more complicated medical needs as they age.

“The Transitional Living Community is really a new model of care,” said Hamlin. “Many of them are experiencing increasingly complex medical needs, and it’s really hard to manage those individuals inside a residential setting.”

Because of that, Hamlin said, many individuals spend too much time in hospitals or going back and forth to emergency rooms.

“This project really bridges a gap between the traditional residential services that are available through the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the more intensive models of medical care that you see inside a hospital,” said Hamlin. “It allows the individuals to receive the support that they need while continuing to live inside their home, inside their residential program.”

For Hamlin, the $10 million grant is also a sign that state leaders recognize the need for this kind of care.

“I was thrilled,” said Hamlin. “It really says that the state, the governor, Department of Health, OPWDD and obviously our local assemblywoman recognize that there’s a real need here, and that they have faith in our program that we can really create this demonstration project that hopefully can be replicated not only for New York State, but hopefully lead the way for the nation.”

Hamlin said the project was also unanimously approved on May 7 by the Public Health and Health Planning Council.

TCFD already operates a Specialty Hospital in Rock Hill, where the proposal will be located. Hamlin said TCFD has been working with architects and others to design the space and expects construction to begin later this summer.

“It’s a one-year build-out,” said Hamlin. “So we hope that late 2027 that we will open our doors.”

In her statement announcing the grant, Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay called The Center for Discovery “an invaluable asset to Sullivan County and New York as a whole.”

“Their work pushes the limits and redefines areas of care for individuals with developmental disabilities and this new project is a testament to their consistency and their compassion,” said Kay. “This facility will save many lives and will serve as a shining example for health care agencies all around the state to follow.”

Hamlin said The Center expects the project to add close to 200 jobs, including 182 full-time positions and additional part-time jobs.

Hamlin also said that many at TCFD are Sullivan County residents, and that the project is about helping the county thrive.

“We’re from this county, most of us have lived here all of our lives,” said Hamlin. “We want to see our county thrive, and I think that this project will help do that and employ more and more people and bring new people into the county as well, which will hopefully help support our tax base.”

Gabrielle Scott, Executive Vice President of Development at The Center for Discovery, also said the project will help create and keep jobs in Sullivan County.

“It will be a huge driver [of jobs],” said Scott, adding that The Center’s presence helps give people the ability to stay and work in Sullivan County.

Looking ahead, Hamlin said the goal is not only to extend life, but to make sure that aging adults with complex disabilities can age with the same dignity, care and quality of life that everyone deserves.

“I think we’ve done a great job extending life for people,” said Hamlin. “But now we need to ensure that individuals age with the same sort of dignity and quality of life and access to healthcare that everyone deserves.”