The Vera French Community Mental Health Center is adding a second full-service outpatient mental health clinic to serve the Quad Cities. The new facility is scheduled to open by the end of this year.
In a news release Tuesday, June 27, Vera French officials announced the purchase and upcoming renovation of the first three floors of the building at 852 Middle Road in Bettendorf. That office building also is currently home to the Quad Cities Community Foundation and near the Home Depot store.
“It is central to our mission to advance mental health for all and to collaborate with our community partners,” said Vera French CEO Dr. Richard Whitaker, Jr. “Vera French’s expansion to Middle Road in Bettendorf will allow us to help more people improve their mental health – which in our experience is the foundation of healthy living.”
In early 2021, Vera French began its search to expand access to mental health services and healthy living solutions. In consultation with the Vera French Board of Directors, the acquisition of 26,000 additional square feet of office space was approved.
Vera French’s expansion will add approximately 15 to 20 jobs, of which 12 to 15 jobs will be licensed providers of mental health services. (More information about working for Vera French can be found at https://www.verafrenchmhc.org/careers/.)
Construction and renovation of the new facility is currently in progress, Vera French officials said Tuesday.
“The demand for the services Vera French provides has never been higher,” said Vera French Chief Operating Officer Denise Beenk. ”We need more space for outpatient clinical and case management services, plus we are adding a program to treat substance use using a holistic approach.”
Vera French will maintain and expand mental health and substance use treatment services currently provided at its location at 1441 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport.
Also, the Vera French Carol Center, at 808 N. Harrison St., Davenport, recently underwent a massive $750,000 renovation that included the addition of a second floor, remodeling work, new siding and a new elevator in the building. An opening ceremony and celebration for that project was held May 25.
“Vera French’s expansion to Middle Road in Bettendorf is the right next step for our agency to reach more people who need our services,” said Robert Eby, Vera French’s board chair. ”The expansion also helps ensure the sustainability and longevity of Vera French in the coming years and decades to serve our community and larger region.”
Dr. Whitaker added: “Over the past year, we have seen an increase of 18% of persons seeking outpatient counseling services – our expansion to a second full-service clinic on Middle Road not only expands geographic access, but also means we are expanding our mental health workforce as well to meet the growing needs of our community.”
Vera French has served as an independent community mental health center for a five-county region including the Quad Cities over the last 74 years.
