Behavioral Health Companies Merge to Create More Effective and Efficient System of Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare, The Center for Drug Free Living and Seminole Behavioral Healthcare form one organization.

Orlando, Fla. – Wednesday, June 5, 2013 – Three of the region’s most respected behavioral healthcare companies announced today that they will merge on July 1 to create one of the Southeast’s largest treatment and prevention service providers.

Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare, The Center for Drug Free Living and Seminole Behavioral Healthcare will become Aspire Health Partners, a collaboration that will create a more effective and efficient system of care designed to increase client and community access to services and remove obstacles to getting help.

“The merger of the three companies is intended to leverage the strengths of each organization and enable the creation of a model of care that reduces redundancy of services, enables development of new programs, allows flexibility, and contributes toward reducing the stigma and obstacles associated with seeking help for behavioral health issues,” said Serena Frank, Chairman of the Board at Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare.

The name Aspire Health Partners reflects a break from traditional healthcare structures to establish a model that brings more value to clients and the community through innovating relevant and effective prevention, treatment and recovery programs.

“The new name more closely reflects what we do — to ascend, to soar, to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal,” said Karen Florio, Chairman of the Board, Seminole Behavioral Healthcare. “Through innovative, resourceful treatment and recovery approaches, Aspire Health Partners will offer individuals and families the opportunity to aspire to healthier, more independent lives.”

Aspire Health Partners will have approximately 1,500 employees and provide programs and services in Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Brevard counties including:

• Assessments, Screening and Prevention
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse
• Behavioral Health
• Crisis and Inpatient Services
• Education
• Health and Wellness
• Homeless Services
• Justice Programs
• Medication Services
• Mental Health

“This merger is the result of months of discussion and exploration and is more than meeting client needs; it’s about enhancing our community by bringing to our existing individual partnerships an increased continuum of services as well as a broader and higher level of expertise,” said Beth Smith, Chairman of the Board at The Center for Drug Free Living.

To view the Aspire Health Partners community launch video produced by Appleton Creative, click here.

Sara Brady Public Relations, Inc.

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