A quartet of non-profit mental health agencies in west Kentucky announced a new partnership Tuesday allowing for the improvement of clinical programs, alliances, and the protection of safety-net services necessary in rural communities.
LifeSkills, in Bowling Green, Communicare, in Elizabethtown, Four Rivers Behavioral Health, in Paducah, and the Pennyroyal Center, in Hopkinsville are forming one of the largest community health centers in the Commonwealth, and the four agencies have already signed a letter of intent while near the conclusion of the due diligence process.
A name for the newly-created organization will be announced at a later date.
Upon completion, the new non-profit will serve and support more than 47,000 clients annually — while employing 1,700 people across 35 counties in central, western and south central Kentucky. That’s more than 25% of the Commonwealth.
More than 70 programs and services will be offered in 129 locations around Kentucky, while creating a network of more than 220 licensed behavioral health clinicians. The organization will also impact children and adults in more than 225 schools, while operating a budget of more than $180 million.
Joe Dan Beavers, of Princeton, will serve as the company’s initial CEO for the consolidation, but existing leaders from all four agencies will serve roles in forming the partnership.
Beavers, alongside Pennyroyal Center CEO/Executive Director Eric Embry and leaders from Communicare and Four Rivers, issued a joint statement on the move.
All should be finalized with the consolidation by July 1.
Beavers was originally tabbed as LifeSkills’ CEO and president in 2013, and prior to that had been with the organization five years.
