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St. Anne Institute, an Albany treatment center primarily for young women, opened its third intensive care unit this month.

The decision to renovate Nazareth Hall to accommodate the 12-bed unit was made last winter as demand for assistance for high-needs teenagers rose.

"The two units we had were running at capacity, and we had a waiting list," said executive director Rick Riccio.

Several counties and a loan supported the project.

St. Anne Institute offers residential care for girls ages 12 to 18, a year-round junior and senior high school for girls with special emotional and educational needs, a preschool for children who are speech-impaired and emotionally disturbed, and other services for male and female teens and families.

Girls sent to St. Anne's intensive care units by counties often have a history of time spent in psychiatric hospitals, self-abusive or physically aggressive behavior and problems in school because of education gaps or other issues.

"These are girls who haven't been successful in other types of residential programs," Mr. Riccio said.

The program aims to transition the girls to the regular residential program, which offers 77 beds, and then back home.

"We individualize each girl's program to fit her needs," Mr. Riccio said.

St. Anne Institute was established in 1887 by four Sisters of the Good Shepherd as a school and residence for troubled and homeless women. The current campus spans 8.5 acres on North Main Avenue in Albany.[[In-content Ad]]

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