Joya Child & Family Development soon will open its doors to a $3 million research and training institute on its University District campus, says Joya executive director, Colleen Fuchs.  

Renovations to the space are set to begin in December and be completed by April 2025, Fuchs says. 

Spokane-based Bouten Construction Co. is the contractor on the project. Spokane-based NAC Architecture is providing design work and the Spokane office of Seattle-based structural and engineering company DCI Engineers, Inc. is the engineer on the remodel. 

Joya received federal funding toward the project Fuchs says. 

Joya is located at 1016 N. Superior, along the Spokane River and east of Gonzaga University. As previously reported by the Journal, the 42,000-square-foot building is on just over 3 acres of land and was completed in 2022. 

Fuchs says the new research and training facility will be housed in a 10,000-square-foot space that intentionally had been left unfinished for future expansion when the center was built.  

Once completed, the research and training center will have office space for outreach by Inland Northwest universities and a large classroom that can be reconfigured into three classrooms. The research will be conducted primarily in conjunction with services Joya already provides, Fuchs says. 

“We have a medically complex population that we serve, which is of great interest when it comes to neurodevelopmental research,” Fuchs says. “We are excited to be able to provide more professional and workforce development for pediatric specialists in our community.” 

The center also is located near two medical schools, allowing for ease of research access for medical students and professors who work with Joya. 

Joya provides physical, occupational, speech therapy, and special education services to children from birth to 3 years old who have developmental disabilities and delays. The facility has program spaces and specialized rooms where therapists work with children and caregivers on fine and gross motor skills, language and feeding therapy, social engagement, cognitive therapy, and other skills.