North Range Behavioral Health, Greeley Colorado

Organization History

The foundations of North Range Behavioral Health date all the way back to 1910. We have been providing services in Weld County since the Mental Hygiene Clinic was established in 1934. As times have changed, so have we. We're proud of our work and our long record of outstanding service to the people of Weld County. The following is a chronology of the events that make up our rich and colorful history.

1910 -	Questionnaire. Public school teachers completed a questionnaire for each child in the public school system to identify children who might need the services of a specialized clinic to assist exceptional or atypical children. The percentage of those identified as having a "moral defect" was so high that teachers began clamoring for constructive things to be done.

1920 -	Dr. Franklin White came to Greeley and conducted a class in mental hygiene. As a result, the Mental Hygiene Association was formed.

1929 -	The Child Guidance Clinic, the first in Colorado, was established to deal with "problem children". It was funded by PTA, other community organizations and individual donations.

1930 -	American Legion took over funding of the Child Guidance Clinic.

1934 -	Mental Hygiene Clinic was established.
1938 -	Mental Hygiene Clinic became part of the Weld County Health Department.

1946 -	National Mental Health Act provided federal funding enabling traveling teams of mental health professionals to provide mental health services throughout the state.

1948 -	Kellogg Foundation awarded a grant of $18,000 over five years. The first services under the auspices of the Mental Health Clinic of Weld County were provided in an old house at the corner of 11th Avenue and 16th Street that was a part of the Weld County Health Department.

1953 -	Kellogg grant expired. Weld County began funding services through its oversight of the Weld County Health Department.

1956 -	State Department of Public Health was declared the State Mental Health Authority.

1958 -	State appropriated 2.8 cents per capita to provide mental health treatment in the state. Mental Health Advisory Committee was formed to assist the Weld County Board of Health. 250 Weld county residents were in the State Hospital.

1962 -	Department of Institutions assumed responsibility of being the State Mental Health Authority to promote aftercare of individuals leaving the State hospital. Weld County Commissioners created the "Weld County Board for Mental Health". Name changed to Mental Health Center of Weld County. The County provided $18,000 in funding, the State $13,000.

1963 -	State passed the Mental Health Clinic law and increased its support of community mental health from 2.8 cents to 25 cents per capita. Mental Health Center of Weld County moved into professional building at 928 13th Street - the Center's first home. The federal Community Mental Health Centers Act was passed.

1964 -	Mental Health Center of Weld County moved into Medical Professional Building at 1220 11th Avenue.

1967 -	Mental Health Center of Weld County received a Federal staffing grant $153,290 per year for five years. The Center's budget increased from $64,000 to $248,000 in one year.

1971 -	Alcoholism Treatment program opened halfway house. Incorporated as the not-for-profit Weld Mental Health Center, Mental Health Center of Weld County separated from the County.

1973 -	Federal HEW grant of $248,609 funded 36 additional staff members.

1975 -	Weld Mental Health Center moved into its current location at 1306 11th Avenue.

1977 -	Half-way house for those addicted to alcohol was closed as responsibility for treatment of alcoholism was turned over the Weld County Health Department.

1980 -	Dale Peterson became Executive Director and remained for more than 20 years.

1982 -	Direct federal funding to Community Mental Health Centers ended. Federal funds for mental health treatment went to the States in the form of "block grants." The State began to contract with mental health centers directly.

1983 -	The treatment of mental illness became a benefit of Medicaid.

1987 -	Due to insufficient state and federal funding to meet the needs of all people with mental health issues, the State prioritized funding to those most in need, creating "target" populations.

1989 -	Mentally ill residents of nursing homes were required to be provided mental health treatment.

1990 -	Frontier House opened. It was the first clubhouse model treatment program in Colorado.

1990 -	Construction began on the Acute Treatment Unit, which opened January 3, 1991.

1994 -	Current facility at 1306 11th Avenue was remodeled.

1995 -	The Integrated Service Access Team (ISAS) was formed to address waiting lists.

1995-	First Medicaid Capitation contract awarded to Weld Mental Health Center.

1997 -	The Center's name changed to North Range Behavioral Health.

1999 -	North Range Behavioral began operating a residential treatment center for severely emotionally disturbed children at the Kathleen Painter Littler Center.

2001 -	Multicultural Services Program initiated Wayne Maxwell became Executive Director following the retirement of Dale Peterson.

2002-2003 -	NRBH experienced a loss of annual revenues amounting to nearly $900,000. In response to this funding crisis NRBH was forced to lay off 11 staff members and reorganize its service delivery system.

2003 -	North Range received federal and other grants totaling nearly $1 million for the purchase of nine duplex apartments to provide permanent housing to its consumers.

2004-2005 -	The state economy improved, and the previous cuts in funding were fully restored.

2005 -	North Range received a grant from the Colorado Trust to develop its Latino Professional Development Program to provide tuition and fee support and paid internships for individuals seeking masters degrees in mental health professions.

2006 -	North Range received a additional State funding to provide services to individuals with mental illnesses who are involved in the criminal justice system. By partnering with Island Grove Regional Treatment Center a program was developed that provides services for persons with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders for persons who would otherwise be in jail, not because they are criminals, but because their display of symptoms of their illnesses led them to be arrested.

2006 -	Multisystemic Therapy and Functional Family Therapy teams were added to Child and Family Services Program.

2007 -	Between Christmas and New Years North Range Behavioral Health consolidated programs housed in five different locations into a new $6 million, 33,000 square foot building.

Our Mission Statement