The Nord Center and The LCADA Way announce merger effective July 1

The Nord Center and The LCADA Way announced Jan. 11 that their respective boards have approved an agreement for the two agencies to merge effective July 1, 2024, according to a news release.

This move takes place in the context of a historically strong working relationship and shared goals of the two organizations.

With the extensive and ever-increasing need for community behavioral healthcare, the unified agency, which will provide both mental health and substance use disorder services, will be better positioned to deliver critical health care services and champion key projects which will best serve the community.

“This collaboration represents a big win for our community,” said Nord Center CEO Don Schiffbauer on the recent announcement in the release. “Bringing the expertise of these two top-notch organizations together under one roof will improve access to care through a ground-breaking ‘no wrong door approach’ to behavioral healthcare and substance use disorder in our community.”

In recent months, the two agencies have deepened their working relationship as they prepare for the launch of the new Lorain County Crisis Receiving Center set to open in 2025, the release said.

Construction of the South Broadway site in Lorain began in December.

The original plan for the two agencies to run that facility jointly sparked conversations of stronger ties and the potential merger, according to the release.

“This partnership has been long-standing,” said Dan Haight, president and CEO of The LCADA Way in the release. “By taking the initiative to officially integrate the two organizations, we have taken a major step forward.

“This new flagship agency will be able to more fully leverage the financial and human resources to effectively and consistently deliver high quality and high value behavioral health and substance use disorder care to Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties and surrounding communities.”

While the name of the new agency has not yet been announced, the chief executive officer and chief operating officer positions have been confirmed, according to the release.

Schiffbauer will serve as chief executive officer, and Haight will become chief operating officer, the release said.

Over the next six months, the partners will work out key details including brand identity, specific staffing structures and board composition.

The total workforce of the combined agency will be approximately 425 staff with an annual budget of approximately $45 million, the release said.

Creating this single organization will allow for not only improved efficiencies and cost savings but also for enhanced coordination of care.