Merger of The Nord Center, The LCADA Way will better serve Lorain County community | Editorial

The merger between The Nord Center and The LCADA Way, two organizations that truly are in existence to help people get back on their feet, is a win for Lorain County residents who are facing obstacles.

The private nonprofits surprisingly announced Jan. 11 they were joining forces in the context of a historically strong working relationship and shared goals to have a positive impact on the community.

The boards of both groups approved the agreement for the agencies to merge effective July 1, 2024.

However, officials have not come up with a name for the new agency.

With the extensive and ever-increasing need for community behavioral health care in this region, 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.

So, the merger of the agencies does make sense.

In recent months, the nonprofits deepened their working relationship as they prepared for the launch of the new Lorain County Crisis Receiving Center set to open in 2025 at 6140 S. Broadway in Lorain.

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

Don Schiffbauer, CEO of The Nord Center, is adamant that the collaboration represents a big win for Lorain County because bringing the expertise of two top-notch organizations together under one roof will improve access to care through a groundbreaking no-wrong-door approach to behavioral health care and substance use disorder in its service area.

Schiffbauer will serve as the first CEO of the new agency.

Even Dan Haight, president and CEO of The LCADA Way, acknowledged that this partnership has been long-standing, and it is a major step forward by taking the initiative to officially integrate the two organizations.

Haight will become the chief operating officer for the new agency,

This new flagship agency will be able to better 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 people living in Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties and surrounding communities.

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 with a $45 million annual budget.

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

As for The Nord Center, it was founded in 1947 and was named in 1970 as the Walter G. Nord Community Mental Health Center in honor of Walter G. Nord (1884-1967), founder of Nordson Corporation and lifelong supporter of mental health initiatives designed to help all the citizens of Lorain County.

In 1996, the agency officially changed its name to The Nord Center, providing industry-leading behavioral health programs, prevention, education and client advocacy that focuses on individual recovery and well-being.

Staff at the agency also focus on creating positive outcomes that lead to healthier lives and a stronger community.

The mission of The Nord Center is to engage people in the community to achieve mental and emotional health through prevention, treatment and advocacy.

The LCADA Way touts itself as a proven leader in recovery since 1981.

For over four decades, its mission has been to transform individual lives, families and communities suffering and struggling from alcohol abuse, substance abuse, behavioral health issues and gambling addiction.

In the last 10 years, The LCADA Way has gone through a few changes and even an expansion.

In October 2015, the agency changed its name to The LCADA Way.

Rebranding to The LCADA Way highlighted its unique approach centered around leadership, compassion, awareness, dedication and advocacy.

This approach is leading the agency to better serve the community and help individuals on the road to wellness and recovery.

In November 2015, The LCADA Way expanded its services into Medina County with the opening of the Wadsworth Wellness Center.

The LCADA Way provides a full array of behavioral health care services tailored to be gender and culturally appropriate based on individual client needs to assist them on the road to wellness and recovery.

And The LCADA Way is certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and The Joint Commission.

We applaud the merger of The Nord Center and The LCADA Way as a good collaboration to help people struggling and suffering to get their lives back on track.