Mental health systems merge

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A longtime mental health and addiction agency in Wood County now stands on more solid ground after
announcing a merger with a larger Toledo company.
Behavioral Connections’ partnership with Harbor will give the former a stronger financial footing as
smaller health care agencies face increasing challenges and changes, said Richard Goldberg, CEO of
Behavioral Connections.
The Adult Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board contracts with Behavioral Connections to offer
addiction and mental health services in Wood County. While diagnoses become more complex and demand for
those services continues to rise, funding has remained flat, Goldberg said.
"It’s hard to keep up with all of that because our resources don’t continue to increase. The need
for what we do increases, but not our resources."
As far as Harbor’s financial support, Goldberg replied: "That’s A-number-one in terms of the
reasons."
"I think that the forces that are changing health care will overpower small organizations, and to
keep those services viable … I think it was good to form a strategic alliance with another
entity."
Goldberg said Behavioral Connections has been searching for a partner agency for about four years. If it
hadn’t found one, clients would have eventually endured "more than a few" cuts to services, he
said.
"I don’t know that we could survive three or four years from now the way we are."
Goldberg cautioned that while Behavioral Connections is giving up some administrative autonomy, clients
shouldn’t fret over how the changes could affect them.
"People are going to see very little change. Our services are going to be exactly as they are,
although in some cases, better.
"The way we’re doing this merger keeps our presence here, keeps our name here, keeps our identity
here, but gives us the strength and viability that goes with being part of something much bigger."

It remains to be seen how exactly the merger will affect Behavioral Connections’ plan to develop the
former Varsity Lanes site on South Main Street in Bowling Green, which the agency purchased last fall
for more than $522,000 with eyes on consolidating its offices there. Renovations would be extensive and,
combined with a new building as well, would likely cost several million dollars.
Goldberg said developing the land remains a "genuine, high-probability possibility."
Architectural plans have been made, but the property could be sold if it no longer seems to fit the
agency’s needs. An inventory of services will be done with Harbor in the next few weeks to determine
what might be added.
"At this point it’s a relatively modest amount of money, and with Harbor being part of the process
now, it’s well covered," Goldberg said. "It’s really hard to have a clear picture of what our
space needs will be because we’re not really sure what (services) specifically we’ll add."
People in Wood County may eventually have greater access to more integrated primary care and mental
health services. A link between the two is critical, as those with persistent mental illness die an
average of 25 years sooner than others without it, Clemons said.
"This will enhance the overall quality of life and care for our residents who suffer from severe
mental illness."
Wait-times for appointments will likely come down, as Harbor has greater ranks of psychiatrists and
practitioners and is committed to bringing more doctors to Wood County, Goldberg said.
"It will not only take some of the load off of our doctors, but more importantly, people will get in
quicker.
"Accessibility is really important because there’s a clear relationship between how long it takes to
get that appointment and whether you’ll really come in and start to get help."
Clemons agreed the arrangement between the two will be mutually beneficial. While Behavioral Connections
gets access to a larger budget, Harbor recently began pursuing addiction services, an area where
Behavioral Connections has a wealth of experience.
Harbor already has a presence in Wood County and a working relationship with Behavioral Connections.
Harbor currently offers employment services here for people with mental illness, Clemons said. There are
about 350 active clients in Wood County, and about 90 have worked through the program to gain
competitive employment on their own, he said.
"Their program is considered one of the best, if not the best in the state," Clemons said.
When asked if he was at all concerned about Wood County clients receiving less attention from the larger
company, Clemons replied confidently, "None whatsoever."
"Harbor has an outstanding reputation for excellent clinical services," he added.

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