HISTORY OF CMHS

Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Inc. was incorporated as a private not-for-profit corporation on March 12, 1969, under the name, Independence Area Mental Health Center. In December 1971, the organization was awarded 501 (c) (3) status by the Internal Revenue Service and continues under that designation.

The first name change came on February 3, 1972, when the name was changed to the Northeastern Jackson County Mental Health Association, to more appropriately reflect the geographic area served by the mental health center.

On June 1, 1971, the Board leased a small outpatient clinic in space provided by the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital. The initial staff was on loan from Western Missouri Mental Health Center -- a state-operated mental health center in Kansas City. A child therapist was funded by the Junior Service League of Independence.

September 1, 1973, the center received its first federal monies and hired a full-time executive director, John Macek. This original grant covered a percentage of staffing costs. The grant became effective July 1, 1974, and staff was hired immediately to provide the required five services -- outpatient, partial hospital, emergency services, consultation, and education. This center was one of nearly 700 community mental health centers funded under this Act and its subsequent extension. The grant was an eight-year declining grant, which terminated on schedule June 30, 1982.

In 1981, the name was changed to Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Inc. to once again more accurately reflect the services provided and to whom they were to be provided.

There has been a continuous growth in utilization of services and some 6,000 individuals seek admission to CMHS annually. As we have grown over the past 30 years, many services have been decentralized and expanded to other geographic areas.

Administrative offices and primary outpatient offices are located in the Englewood Plaza area of Independence at 10901 E. Winner Rd, (next to the Englewood Theater).Services also are available at 17866 E. 23^rd, Independence MO, and at Renaissance West, 5840 Swope Pkwy., Kansas City, MO.

Extended care programs for the chronically mentally ill have grown and are provided from several locations. Most of these programs were incorporated into a separate subsidiary corporation on June 8, 1982, known as the Institute for Independent Living, Inc. (IIL). The purpose of this unit is to provide for the planning, coordination and delivery of services to chronically mentally ill individuals. ILL operates two psychiatric group homes, Turning Point, at 1720 N. Swope Dr., and Spring Street House, at 412 N. Spring St., both in Independence. These provide services to those individuals with extended mental health needs. Gateway at 416 College provides residential treatment for those needing structure and counseling while undergoing substance abuse treatment. The Adolescent CSTAR program is located at 10819 E. Winner Rd. and Community Support is at 17866 E. 23^rd .

CMHS directly serves the population of northeastern Jackson County as well as the inner city of Kansas City, MO. The staff number approximately 230 (including psychiatrists, social workers, case managers, and mental health technicians) who serve about 4,000 clients per year. Fees for services are on a sliding fee scale. Translation services are provided for deaf and hard of hearing.

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