In our over 50 years of operation, we have continually expanded our services and programs in the communities we serve by being innovative and passionate about providing the highest standard of evidence-based services, as reflected in our mission statement:
“To improve the health of the communities we serve through contemporary, innovative, trauma-informed, quality healthcare solutions.”
Timeline of Ozark Center History
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1965 Ozark Psychiatric Foundation created a not-for-profit corporation to operate a mental health center. |
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1969 Ozark Psychiatric Foundation Board of Directors obtained the first private organization award of a comprehensive mental health grant in the state of Missouri. A building was constructed at 2808 Picher and named the Ozark Community Mental Health Center. |
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1978 Ozark Community Mental Health Center conceptualized and conducted political campaigns in Newton and Jasper counties for property taxes, the benefits of which continue today. |
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1979 Substance use services at Nevada State Hospital were carved out and awarded to Ozark Community Mental Health Center, which created New Directions, an all-inclusive substance use program that continues to this date. |
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1981 The Big Brothers Board of Directors leased 40 acres and three group homes to Ozark Community Mental Health Center for the treatment of seriously emotionally disturbed children and adolescents. Today, the facility continues as Turnaround Ranch. |
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1982 Ozark Community Mental Health Center initiated a psychosocial rehabilitation program and independent living services for serious and persistent mentally ill adults. |
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1985 Ozark Community Mental Health Center’s name was officially changed to Ozark Center. The center was designated an Administrative Agent of the Missouri Department of Mental Health. |
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1991 The Adolescent Support Group merged with Ozark Center, which continues as a townhouse at Turnaround Ranch. 1991 |
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1994 Ozark Center established a psychiatric pharmacy. |
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1995 Ozark Center was awarded a contract to provide psychiatric crisis intervention services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. |
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1996 Ozark Center joined Freeman Health System, increasing patient access to behavioral healthcare. Two psychiatric inpatient units, Stephens Unit and Senior Serenity, were opened within 60 days of the new partnership. |
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2002 A new 30-bed residential care facility with psychiatric components was constructed on Schifferdecker for Ozark Oaks. The original Oaks facility was converted to an intensive service unit for emotionally disturbed youths diagnosed with both a mental illness and learning disorder. |
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2004 Ozark Center started its Family Focus program. This component offers supportive services to children and their families following discharge from a residential setting. |
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2005 Ozark Center opened 39 apartments to house chronically mentally ill adults after receiving two HUD grants for the construction. |
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2007 Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism, developed in consultation with the Cleveland Clinic Autism Consulting Group, opened an applied behavior analysis (ABA) program for preschool children with autism. |
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2012 Will’s Place opened to provide comprehensive behavioral health services to individuals ages birth to age 21. |
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2013 Ozark Center opened a second Pre-Adult Transitional Housing (PATH) apartment complex, a new residence for homeless youths in need of long-term housing and assistance developing essential life skills. |
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2017 Ozark Center becomes one of a select few Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHC) in the nation. |