LEWISTON (WGME) — A Lewiston-based mental health provider is merging with one of the states largest behavioral health organizations.
The merger between Common Ties and Sweetser will create the largest mental health provider in Maine.
The goal is to ensure long-term stability and expand access to care across the Lewiston region.
“Now that they are part of Sweetser, they have access to this whole array of behavioral health services,” Sweetser President and CEO Jayne Van Bramer said.
Common Ties Mental Health Services has provided essential care in Lewiston for more than 40 years to their almost 300 clients.
The nonprofit Sweetser is one of the state’s largest behavioral health organizations, providing services across Maine.
Those services including mental health care, psychiatric rehabilitation, case management, crisis stabilization and more.
“They will have more access to resources, programs and staffing,” Van Bramer said.
The merger comes at a critical time as behavioral health organizations are navigating growing operational challenges and increasing uncertainty around funding.
“Our goal as an agency was to find a safe place for the clients, as well as the staff, to land,” former executive director of Common Ties Mental Health Services Karen Bate said.
For the almost 300 individuals receiving treatment through Common Ties, there won’t be any disruption in care.
“The more robust the services are under the same roof, it increases the quality of life for the folks that we serve,” Bate said.
Right now, there are 18 employees at Commons Ties. All but three of them will continue to work for Sweetser.
The Common Ties facility will temporarily remain on Bates Street in Lewiston.