Centerstone and Uspiritus Sign Letter of Intent to Merge
LOUISVILLE, Ky.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Centerstone Kentucky and Uspiritus have signed a letter of intent to
merge. Together, the organizations will have new opportunities to
advance specialized care for at-risk youth in the Commonwealth of
Kentucky.
If finalized, the merger between Centerstone and Uspiritus will unite
the community’s most notable residential service provider for youth with
one of the largest behavioral health organizations in the state and
create a unique continuum of care for children transitioning from state
custody into adulthood.
By combining their expertise and resources, the organizations will be
able to enhance access to behavioral health treatments, housing
assistance, community resources, education services and job training for
children, youth and families across the region.
“This potential merger is a unique opportunity to fundamentally reinvent
and strengthen services for our neediest children,” stated Tony Zipple,
Centerstone Kentucky’s President and CEO. “It will create the most
extensive and effective system of evidence-based care in the state.
Centerstone is excited to take this step with Uspiritus, and we look
forward to providing real solutions for the children and families who
depend on our care and support.”
Uspiritus President and CEO, Abbreial (Abby) Drane, added, “Our vision
is to create a continuum of care that gives foster children the
treatment and services they need to be productive adults and reduce the
high cost of placing children in residential and institutional
treatment. Our merger, if finalized, will be a huge win not only for the
children of our Commonwealth, but the state itself. As one organization,
we will be able to enhance care for the children and families in our
communities and improve how behavioral healthcare is delivered
nationwide.”
As part of the proposed merger, Uspiritus would change its name to
Centerstone. Centerstone is one of the largest non-profit providers of
behavioral healthcare in the nation. In operation for more than 60
years, it has provider organizations in Florida, Illinois, Indiana,
Kentucky and Tennessee, which provide an array of treatment, support and
educational programs and services to more than 172,000 individuals who
have mental health and addiction disorders and developmental
disabilities.
With the addition of Uspiritus, Centerstone Kentucky will have 1,800
employees and serve 80 counties that provide services to nearly 36,000
people of all ages annually.
With the letter of intent signed by the Boards of Directors of both
organizations, Uspiritus and Centerstone are currently finalizing the
agreement. The process, which includes standard due diligence, legal and
regulatory reviews, is expected to conclude this spring.
ABOUT USPIRITUS:
Uspiritus is the region’s leading provider
of therapeutic treatment and counseling to children and youth living
with the effects of abuse, neglect or other mental health crisis
situations. Uspiritus’ services include residential treatment,
therapeutic foster care, outpatient treatment, family preservation and
independent living programs. Uspiritus also provides educational and
vocational services creating a comprehensive continuum of care to ensure
at-risk children in Kentucky are prepared to succeed academically and
achieve self-sufficiency. Uspiritus is one of the largest agencies for
at-risk youth in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, serving more than 1,000
children each year at its two residential campuses in Louisville, and
its community-based services in Louisville and Bowling Green. For more
information, please visit www.uspiritus.org.
ABOUT CENTERSTONE:
Centerstone is a nationally recognized
leader in not-for-profit healthcare dedicated to delivering care that
changes people’s lives. Locally, Centerstone Kentucky is the preferred
provider of behavioral health care, addictions treatment and
intellectual and developmental services in the greater Louisville,
Kentucky area, serving Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby,
Spencer and Trimble counties. Nationally recognized for innovative and
effective services and treatments, the organization’s Addictions
Recovery Center receives referrals nationwide. Centerstone Kentucky
serves more than 34,000 people of all ages annually and is fully
accredited by the Joint Commission.
Centerstone provides mental health and substance use treatment, related
crisis care, education and support to people of all ages in communities
in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, and offer
individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities life skills
development, employment and housing services in Illinois and Kentucky.
Nationally, we offer specialized care for service members, Veterans and
their loved ones, and develop employee assistance programs for
businesses of all sizes. Our research institute improves behavioral
healthcare through research, evaluation and technology, and our
foundation secures philanthropic resources to support our work. To learn
more, visit www.centerstone.org.
Contacts
Centerstone
Amanda Newton, 502-744-8887
amanda.newton@centerstone.org
or
Uspiritus
Jim
Mahanes, 502-779-1111
jim.mahanes@uspiritus.org
