Two Indiana nonprofit community mental health centers are working closely together and collaborating to strengthen both organizations possibly including merger into a single entity.
Southern Hills Counseling Center, Inc., of Jasper, and LifeSpring Health Systems, Inc., headquartered in Jeffersonville, are both long-standing nonprofits that have served their communities for over 50 years. Together they provide behavioral health services to over 12,280 individuals annually. These organizations have a long positive relationship working together for the provision of human services to children, youth, adults, and families in the Southern Indiana region.
“Southern Hills is one of the smallest community mental health centers in the state of Indiana. Behavioral health funding has always been a challenge. If we can merge with LifeSpring, we will be better able to offer a multi-generational continuum of behavioral health services for infants through seniors, for school problems to substance abuse services, with more opportunities and benefits for our communities,” reports Joe Kimmel, Executive Director of the Southern Hills. “We have worked very closely with LifeSpring staff. Together, we will be larger and have a greater potential to maintain and grow to meet the mental health needs of our communities.”
Dr. Terry Stawar, Ed.D, the CEO of LifeSpring says, “After a year-long review process, we have identified many ways that we can more effectively and efficiently serve Southern Indiana residents by working together. The economies of scale and synergy generated by a merger could have beneficial effects for everyone.” It is also noted that both Boards of Directors are supportive of the collaboration and exploring the intent to merge the two organizations.
Southern Hills currently provides services to Dubois, Perry, Spencer, Orange, and Crawford counties in Indiana. LifeSpring currently serves Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Washington, Scott, and Jefferson Counties in Indiana.
