Newark, DE. June 12th, 2026 — Exceptional Care for Children (ECC) celebrates a landmark moment with the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the newly constructed Bridge Unit Addition in Newark, Delaware, which marks the completion of a transformative expansion that sets a new standard for specialized transitional care in the state.
About the Project
The Bridge Unit Addition is a three-story, 38,556-square-foot expansion adjoining ECC’s existing 45,000-square-foot facility. Designed by ABHA Architects and managed by Bancroft Construction, the addition was thoughtfully conceived to support teenagers and young adults with complex medical conditions as they transition from pediatric to adult services, addressing a critical gap in care.
The new wing features 23 patient rooms, expanded nursing quarters, spacious classrooms, dedicated activity spaces, and a therapeutic rooftop garden; creating an environment that balances medical excellence with comfort, creativity, and opportunity for growth. The Bridge Unit is the first facility of its kind in Delaware, and one of very few in the country.
A Community United Around Purpose
The ribbon cutting drew nearly 150 attendees, united by a shared belief that the most meaningful work a community can do is care for its most vulnerable members. Michelle Brayman Campbell, Acting Administrator of Exceptional Care for Children, captured this spirit in her opening remarks: “Today is a celebration of vision, dedication, and community. It represents a massive step forward for Exceptional Care for Children and, more importantly, for the extraordinary young people and families we are privileged to serve.”
That sense of community investment stretched from the construction site to the halls of government. U.S. Senator Chris Coons attended to highlight the project’s significance to Delaware’s healthcare landscape. Delaware State Senator Nicole Poore, who represents the 12th Senate District and previously served as ECC’s director of development, brought both legislative commitment and personal connection to the occasion. As the parent of a child with cerebral palsy, she has long championed Delaware’s special-needs community through her public service.
The human heart of the celebration came through in a moment that needed no podium: a resident’s grandmother shared what the Bridge Unit’s completion means for her family, offering a moving reminder of the real lives transformed by this work.
Building Something Alive
Dr. Stephen Falchek, founding member, president, board chair, and board-certified pediatric neurologist with more than 25 years of experience, has been the driving force behind ECC’s mission since its inception. He reminded those gathered that the ribbon-cutting marks a beginning, not an end. “What has been brought into existence here is not something that is static, but something that is alive and dynamic and will continue to grow,” said Dr. Falchek. “Our work today is just beginning.”
Bancroft Construction Project Manager Steve Ventresca echoed that forward-looking spirit, grounding it on the scale of what the community had already accomplished together. “Today is about more than the completion of a building,” said Ventresca. “It’s about people. It’s about purpose. And it’s about the impact this place will have for years to come.” He highlighted the remarkable labor behind the project; nearly 200,000 hours of work contributed by 44 trade partner organizations were committed throughout the lifecycle of this project. This level of effort resulted in approximately 215 jobs being created across the region. “Every beam you see, every wall you pass, every detail you notice, it all carries a story of dedication, craftsmanship, and perseverance. This is a place where young adults and their families will find not only care, but dignity. Not only support, but opportunity. Not only services, but hope,” said Ventresca.
What This Means to Bancroft
For Bancroft Construction, the Bridge Unit Addition is a powerful expression of the company’s core mission: we build to serve communities and better lives. “This project reflects the very best of Bancroft partnership, purpose, and a commitment to strengthening the communities we call home. The Bridge Unit stands as a lasting investment in the future of Delaware’s families.” Says Mike Petka, President and CEO of Bancroft Construction.
Projects like this reflect Bancroft’s deepest values: partnership, purpose, and commitment to the communities where its people live and work. The firm is proud to have helped bring a vision to life that will serve some of Delaware’s most vulnerable residents for generations to come.
About Exceptional Care for Children
Exceptional Care for Children is the first and only pediatric skilled nursing facility of its kind in Delaware, providing transitional, long-term, and palliative care to medically fragile and technology-dependent children. Ranked among the top 100 nursing homes in the United States, ECC takes a multidisciplinary approach to caring for the whole child, addressing social, emotional, and developmental needs alongside medical care through daily therapeutic programming, onsite therapy, education, and enrichment activities in a homelike environment.
About Bancroft Construction
Bancroft Construction is an award-winning, Mid-Atlantic construction management firm servicing clients throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. For more than 50 years, Bancroft has realized that our mission goes beyond just providing construction management services, but rather we build to serve communities and better lives. Bancroft commits to a partnership approach for all projects it manages, from major developments to the revitalization of world-renowned cultural landmarks. Centered around improving our community, Bancroft assists clients from concept to completion, offering program management, estimating services, construction management, owner’s representation, virtual design & construction, and sustainability methods and materials.
