4 community mental health centers in 35 counties to consolidate

Graphic from mental-health agencies' press release

Four nonprofit mental-health agencies in Kentucky are creating a new partnership that they say will help them improve clinical programs and alliances and protect the safety-net services in rural communities.

LifeSkills Inc. of Bowling Green, Communicare Inc. of Elizabethtown, Four Rivers Behavioral Health of Paducah and Pennyroyal Center of Hopkinsville would form one of the largest community health centers in the state.

The agencies say they have signed a letter of intent, are near the end of the due-diligence process, and expect to complete the consolidation by July 1. A name for the new organization will be announced later.

Joe Dan Beavers

Joe Dan Beavers, president and CEO of LifeSkills, will serve as the initial CEO but existing leaders from all four agencies will play a role in the partnership.

The organizations say they support more than 47,000 individuals annually and employ 1,700 people across 35 counties.

The new organization will offer more than 70 programs and services in 129 locations and employ more than 220 licensed behavioral-health clinicians. It will also serve children and adults in more than 225 schools and have budget of more than $180 million.