DECATUR, Ga. — Claratel Behavioral Health held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 10 for its new community access center, which will serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism.
The building at 455 Winn Way in Decatur dates to the 1990s and formerly housed the Drug and Alcohol Addiction Clinic. Claratel is moving its center to this location following the demolition of its former building located in Brookhaven Park in 2025.
“We are creating a facility that is grounded in being interactive, appealing to all the senses and meeting the needs of individuals born with IDD or autism,” Larry Fuller, vice president of developmental disabilities at Claratel, said.
Claratel Behavioral Health, formerly known as DeKalb Community Service Board, is a nonprofit organization offering mental health, developmental disabilities and substance use disorder services across more than 20 DeKalb County locations, with more than 500 staff members.
The facility will include computer labs, sensory rooms, relaxation pods, group and nursing stations, a coffee shop, an autism service area and a functional studio apartment and outdoor greenspace, among other amenities.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. One of the project’s first donations, for $30,000, came from Claratel board member Meredith McCoyd. In honor of the donation, the coffee shop will be named Meredith’s Cafe.
The city of Brookhaven provided $5 million for the new building search and purchase and is helping Claratel expand its services to 150 more individuals. Brookhaven Mayor John Park said the old Claratel building served its purpose but needed to change.
“It was no longer suited to meet the needs of Claratel’s clients or the standards of modern care. We all recognize that reality. More importantly, we recognize the responsibility to do something about it,” Park said.
“At the same time, this has allowed Brookhaven to take a major step forward in the continued evolution of Brookhaven Park,” Park added.
Brookhaven Mayor John Park speaks at the Claratel access center groundbreaking ceremony on April 10.
JIM BASS/APPEN MEDIA
Notable DeKalb figures gathered outside the building to hear speeches from Claratel CEO Fabio Van Der Merwe, Fuller, Park, DeKalb County Commissioner Chakira Johnson and Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Commissioner Kevin Tanner.
Charles Lewis, who has been in the Claratel employment program since 1994 and has lived in a Claratel-supported living program since 2009, gave the groundbreaking introduction.
“The DeKalb community has lacked a strong autism-focused program and a centralized place where individuals and families can access comprehensive support, but today, that gap begins to close,” Tanner said.
Following the ceremonial groundbreaking photos, attendees were welcomed inside the building for refreshments and a small tour of part of the facility.
Architecture firm Praxis3 and Headley Construction also attended the groundbreaking to discuss their plans for the building. Praxis3 principal Sarah Butler said they were able to reuse a lot of the building and will only need to reconfigure some elements, including bathrooms, and add an elevator.
“This is why I’m an architect. It’s very inspiring,” Butler said. “When Charles gave his introduction, hearing the impact it has on people, we are really proud to be a part of that.”
An enthusiastic Fuller said the project has been in the works for more than a year and that, once it is complete at the end of the year, he hopes to see “smiles and joy” from visitors.
“I am more than excited. There’s probably not a word for this, “ Fuller said. “I feel like this is a beacon of hope, and it stands for what the future is going to bring.”
Claratel CFO Tee Jones, Georgia DBHDD Regional Director Jeff Thompson, DBHDD Commissioner Kevin Tanner and Claratel Vice President of Developmental Disabilities Larry Fuller pose for a photo after a groundbreaking ceremony for a new access center on April 10.
JIM BASS/APPEN MEDIA
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