Mental Health Services West and Mental Health Services Northwest were established in 1973 in response to the Federal Community Mental Health Center Initiative and the Hamilton County Community Mental Health Board’s focus on development of community based mental health services.

Mental Health Services West and Mental Health Services Northwest, recognizing the need to restructure to remain competitive in the changing mental health field, merged in 1993 to become West by Northwest, Inc. In 1993, West by Northwest, Inc. was designated to become one of four “comprehensive case management providers” of services to severelymentally disabled (SMD) persons in Hamilton County.


In 1994, West by Northwest along with agencies from six Ohio counties and single agencies from Indiana and Kentucky formed the Gateway Behavioral Health Care Network. Gateway provides continuum of cost effective behavioral healthcare services to the Tri State Area.

In January 1998, West by Northwest became an affiliate of Talbert House, Inc., to integrate alcohol/chemical dependency and mental health services, expand service access and to reduce administrative and operational costs. In 1998, the Coalition for Behavioral Health, Inc. was formed by bringing together agencies that specialize in services to the severely mentally ill adult and the severely emotionally disturbed child as well as the Hamilton County Community Mental Health Board to develop a centralized access point and to plan for services to these populations.

As we completed our first 25 years of service to the people of Hamilton County, West by Northwest rededicated itself to providing quality behavioral healthcare services to those being served and those we will serve in the future as Core Behavioral Health Centers.

The year 2000 was another time of change and expansion for Core Behavioral Health Centers. With a greater demand for case management services and a decrease in individuals entering our Partial Hospitalization program, Core, in cooperation with the Hamilton County Community Health Board, closed its partial program while significantly expanding case management services. Also in 2000, Mental Health Services East (now Center for Children and Families) joined with Talbert House and Core as an affiliate organization to expand our service continuum and to work together to control costs and improve overall quality of care for our services. This relationship will be a dynamic one, highlighted by ongoing refinement of operations and services with quality enhancement being an on going focus.

In 2001 Core opened a new facility and program on the west side, held its first ever gala dinner and hired a new executive director. Topping 2001’s accomplishments was the opening of Glenhaven, a client-driven psycho/social day program and facility. The program mirrors the Marlowe Center and is specifically designed to guide individuals toward full participation in their community by offering group therapy, outings and independent living skills instruction. A first for Core in 2001 was the Annual Gala Dinner held at the Western Hills Country Club. The gala was held to honor the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill of Hamilton County for its many accomplishments in programming, mental health advocacy and community health issues. To recognize their accomplishments, Core Behavioral Health Centers awarded NAMI the first ever Ferneding Award. Named for long time board member and friend of Core, Donna Ferneding, this award recognizes an individual or organization who has demonstrated a strong commitment to Core Behavioral Health Centers’ mission.

Dr. Alan Mabry also came to Core Behavioral in 2001. Appointed by the Core Behavioral Board of Trustees and Talbert House President Neil Tilow, Dr. Mabry was the former Talbert House Clinical Director.

The highlight of 2002 was once again Core Behavioral Health Centers’ Annual Gala Dinner. Supported by corporate sponsors Acordia, Kroger, Provident Bank, SC Ministry Foundation, Talbert House, Ulmer & Berne LLP and Western Economic Council, this year’s gala was held to honor Eli Lilly with Core’s Ferneding Award. Eli Lilly’s generosity toward our Agency was extraordinary, donating $500,000 in medications to our indigent clients.

Back to top

GuideStar.org
The leading source of information on U.S. nonprofits, including 990s.