What if the buildings where people receive behavioral health care or serve time in correctional facilities were intentionally designed to support healing, rehabilitation, and connection? In this episode of Stepping In It, Jason Haglund sits down with JLG Architects principals Todd Medd and Jennifer Burke Jackson to explore how trauma-informed design is reshaping behavioral health and correctional environments. From the new North Dakota State Hospital to progressive rehabilitation facilities, they discuss how thoughtful design can create safety, strengthen relationships, support caregivers, and help people successfully return to their communities. The conversation also explores the importance of addressing trauma further upstream and building a true continuum of behavioral health care across rural communities.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Discover the core principles of trauma-informed design and how physical environments can promote safety, choice, flexibility, and healing.
- Learn how North Dakota is rethinking behavioral health and correctional facilities through rehabilitation, progression, and community connection.
- Explore how design elements like natural light, acoustics, flexible spaces, and access to nature can impact patients, residents, staff, and caregivers.
- Understand why behavioral health infrastructure must be part of a larger continuum of care that includes state hospitals, rural hospitals, community-based services, and corrections.
- Learn how relationships, family connection, and community engagement can support rehabilitation and improve public safety.
- Hear why addressing childhood trauma and other upstream factors is essential to creating long-term change in behavioral health and incarceration.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:10:06 – Introduction: JLG Architects & Building Communities That Thrive
00:11:28 – Meet Todd Medd & Jennifer Burke Jackson
00:15:29 – The Long Road to Building a New North Dakota State Hospital
00:17:46 – Designing Modern Behavioral Health Facilities
00:19:20 – Understanding Trauma-Informed Design
00:22:19 – Bringing Trauma-Informed Principles Into Corrections
00:23:34 – North Dakota’s Four Pillars of Rehabilitation
00:28:17 – Designing a Progression From Treatment Back to Community
00:29:24 – State Hospitals, Community Services & the Continuum of Care
00:32:52 – Rethinking Incarceration by Addressing Trauma Upstream
00:37:58 – How Physical Spaces Can Support Safety & Healing
00:41:24 – Designing Correctional Spaces for Choice, Family & Connection
00:45:10 – Behavioral Health Challenges in Rural Hospitals
00:48:36 – Designing Spaces That Support Caregivers
00:50:09 – Capacity, Rehabilitation & the Challenges Facing County Jails
00:52:15 – Building Flexible Facilities for Changing Behavioral Health Needs
00:56:21 – Self-Care, Family & the Power of Connection
00:59:46 – Bringing Community Connection Home
01:00:38 – Closing Thoughts
