A major overhaul is coming to EAC Network’s Wheeler Road Campus in Central Islip. State officials have secured $4.35 million to modernize the campus, home to EAC Network’s Child Advocacy Center and other programs serving some of Long Island’s most vulnerable residents. The funding will renovate two key buildings, 80 Wheeler Road and 84 Wheeler Road, positioning the campus to serve children and families for decades to come.
Meeting a Growing Need
EAC Network has long been a lifeline for Suffolk County families navigating some of life’s hardest moments, from child abuse investigations to crisis intervention and support services. The scale of that need is significant: New York’s Statewide Central Register fielded roughly 313,000 calls reporting suspected child abuse or maltreatment in 2023 alone, according to a 2024 state Comptroller’s office audit, and the state’s Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking confirmed 409 trafficking survivors in 2024, including 38 minors. As the lead agency coordinating child advocacy services across Long Island, EAC Network expanded its reach earlier this year with a second Child Advocacy Center in Bethpage, serving Nassau County families. The Wheeler Road Campus, home to EAC Network’s original Child Advocacy Center, remains at the heart of that work, and modernizing it is essential to keeping pace with the needs of the children and families who rely on it.
That modernization was made possible through the coordinated work of several state officials who championed the Wheeler Road Campus and helped secure $4.35 million in total funding:
- Governor Kathy Hochul advanced a $3 million state capital grant supporting the project.
- State Senator Monica R. Martinez secured $1 million in funding.
- Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and former Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre secured $250,000 during a previous legislative session.
- Assemblymember Kwani O’Pharrow, who succeeded Jean-Pierre in the Assembly, secured an additional $100,000 for the project.
EAC Network extends its sincere thanks to each of these leaders for recognizing the importance of the Wheeler Road Campus and for their continued advocacy on behalf of Suffolk County’s children and families.
A Campus Built for the Future
The Wheeler Road Campus plays a central role in EAC Network’s mission, housing programs that support some of Long Island’s most vulnerable residents, including the Child Advocacy Center, Safe Harbour, SafeStart, Enhanced Long Island Parenting Institute, Transitional Case Management and Suffolk Medication Grant Programs. These programs and others served over 10,000 Long Island children and their families in 2025. Like many facilities that have served their communities for years, the campus is due for significant upgrades to its infrastructure, safety systems, and accessibility.
This capital improvement project will address those needs comprehensively. Planned upgrades include:
- Building envelope repairs: roof and exterior restoration to protect the campus for the long term
- Systems modernization: electrical, plumbing, and HVAC upgrades to improve reliability and energy performance
- Safety and security enhancements: new emergency power systems, upgraded security infrastructure, campus fencing, and improved exterior lighting
- Accessibility improvements: permanent accessibility upgrades and elevator code compliance so the campus can serve all visitors and staff
- Site improvements: parking lot upgrades and updated signage to improve the overall campus experience
Together, these investments will extend the useful life of the campus and create a safer, more welcoming environment for everyone who walks through its doors.
Expanding the Child Advocacy Center’s Capacity
Beyond infrastructure repairs, EAC Network is looking ahead. As part of its long-term vision for the Wheeler Road Campus, the organization will evaluate opportunities to expand capacity at 84 Wheeler Road to better support its Child Advocacy Center and the multidisciplinary team of partner agencies that work alongside it.
Through a thorough due diligence process, EAC Network will explore how the facility can be adapted and expanded to meet growing service needs, deepen collaboration among partner agencies, and ensure children and families continue to receive high-quality, coordinated care, all within a modern, trauma-informed environment designed to support healing.
A Shared Commitment to Community
“These investments are a testament to what’s possible when state leaders come together on behalf of the communities they serve,” said Neela Mukherjee Lockel, President and CEO of EAC Network. “We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul, Senator Martinez, Speaker Heastie, Assemblymember O’Pharrow, former Assemblymember Jean-Pierre, and Assemblymember Steve Stern for their shared commitment to the children and families of Suffolk County. Together, their support will allow EAC Network to expand our impact, enhance critical support, and ensure that those who are in crisis throughout our communities have access to the resources they need.”
Tom Locascio, Vice Chair of EAC Network’s Board of Directors, echoed that gratitude, emphasizing what the investment means for the people the organization serves every day.
“This $4.35 million investment is a meaningful commitment to the children and families who rely on EAC Network during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Locascio said. “We’re deeply grateful to all our partners in the State Legislature for recognizing the importance of ensuring our Child Advocacy Center is the modern, trauma-informed space needed to support healing, strengthen investigations, and improve outcomes for vulnerable children.”
Locascio added that the improvements go beyond infrastructure. “These upgrades will allow us to better serve children and families with safe, welcoming, and state-of-the-art facilities that reflect the compassionate care they deserve while supporting our multidisciplinary partners in protecting children and pursuing justice.”
Looking Ahead
The Wheeler Road Campus Capital Improvement Project reflects EAC Network’s ongoing commitment to building infrastructure that matches the scale and urgency of its mission. By investing in the physical spaces where healing, advocacy, and support happen, EAC Network and its state partners are ensuring that the Wheeler Road Campus remains a place where children and families can find safety, stability, and hope, today and for years to come.
EAC Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening communities across Long Island and New York City through a wide range of human services programs.
