Mr. Chris Richardson

KENT, Ohio, September 19, 2023 – Chris Richardson, a well-known behavioral health clinician in northeast Ohio, has joined Coleman Health Services as its Senior Chief Officer of Substance Use Services.

Richardson has over 28 years of experience in behavioral health, addictions and healthcare. He was previously the Chief Operating Officer at CHC Addiction Services (Community Drug Board) located in Akron, Ohio. He also served as CEO at AxessPointe Community Health Centers, a local federally qualified health center. Under his leadership AxessPointe served over 19,000 clients at 5 locations. Mr. Richardson’s additional experience included serving as Program Manager at Oriana House where he was responsible for the oversight of the ADM Crisis Center (detoxification unit).

Richardson received both his Bachelor’s (Criminal Justice) and Masters of Education (Rehabilitation Counseling) from Kent State University where he also served as an adjunct professor. He is licensed as an Independent Clinical Dependency Counselor with Clinical Supervisor Designation and Professional Counselor

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris to Coleman,” Hattie Tracy, Coleman Health Services’ president and CEO said. “At Coleman, our mission is fostering recovery, building independence & changing destinies for individuals & families, and we believe Chris aligns perfectly with our mission and values.”

In addition to his professional experience he is a current board member of the Akron/Canton Regional Foodbank, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, Truly Reaching You Ministries, Kent State University Public Health Advisory Council, Kent State Rehabilitation Advisory Council, and Ardmore Inc. He is a graduate of Leadership Akron Class 34 (Class of 2018).

Coleman Health Services is a nonprofit provider of community based behavioral health and addiction recovery services with a focus on whole-person treatment and wellness. Coleman integrates behavioral health treatments with physical health monitoring and social support services such as peer programs, housing, and employment to establish a solid foundation for recovery. Coleman has offices in 12 Ohio counties and provides services in an additional 21 counties.

###

CONTACT INFORMATION
Coleman Health Services
Steve Bossart, VP of Business Development and Marketing
330-388-0719
Steve.bossart@colemanservices.org

Catherine Chudakoff, LISW-S

 KENT, Ohio, February 27, 2023 – Catherine Chudakoff, LISW-S, has been named Coleman Health Services’ Chief Officer for Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. As Chief Officer, she will manage Coleman’s Trumbull and Mahoning business units.

Chudakoff is currently serving as Coleman’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Project Director for six Ohio counties. She has over 13 years of experience in the field of Social Work with five years of supervisory/management experience. She previously served in a variety of roles at Pathway Caring for Children in Canton, Ohio before joining the Coleman team in 2021. 

“I am passionate about being a part of something bigger than myself,” Chudakoff said. “I enjoy helping people navigate complicated systems and find their worth and full potential, especially those who have been historically marginalized and excluded from full participation.”

 “We are thrilled to welcome Catherine Chudakoff to this role at Coleman, as she brings a depth of experience and passion for our work and will provide great value to our clients,” Hattie Tracy, Coleman Health Services’ president and CEO said. “At Coleman, our mission is fostering recovery, building independence & changing destinies for individuals & families, and we believe Catherine aligns perfectly with our mission and values.”

Coleman has locations at 611 Belmont Avenue in Youngstown and 103 W. Market Street in Warren. The organization is a nonprofit provider of community based behavioral health and addiction recovery services with a focus on whole-person treatment and wellness. Coleman integrates behavioral health treatments with physical health monitoring and social support services such as peer programs, housing, and employment to establish a solid foundation for recovery. Coleman has offices in 12 Ohio counties and provides services in an additional 23 counties.

###

CONTACT INFORMATION
Kathy Myers
Director of Marketing and Advocacy
330-676-6926
Kathy.Myers@colemanservices.org

Nicole Martin

KENT, OHIO (Sept 8, 2022) – Nicole Martin, a well-known behavioral health clinician in northeast Ohio, has joined Coleman Health Services as its Vice President of Clinical Strategy and Innovation. She began work on September 6.

Martin, a resident of Aurora in Portage County, most recently served as the Executive Director of Silver Maple Recovery in Lorain, Ohio. Before becoming Executive Director, Martin was the Director of External Relations. She was hired to open a new detox and residential treatment center for drug and alcohol services. Her experience includes facilitating all of the activities to acquire state licensure, Medicaid enrollment and Joint Commission accreditation. Prior to joining Silver Maple, Martin was a senior executive with the Centers for Families and Children in Cleveland. Martin is a three-time graduate of John Carroll University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree as well as two Masters degrees in Counseling and Human Services and Nonprofit Administration.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nicole Martin to Coleman, as she brings a depth of experience and passion for our work and will provide great value to our clients,” Hattie Tracy, Coleman Health Services’ president and CEO said. “At Coleman, our mission is fostering recovery, building independence & changing destinies for individuals & families, and we believe Nicole aligns perfectly with our mission and values.”

“I believe in the impact community behavioral health care can have,” Martin said. “Coleman is helping clients in 33 counties throughout Ohio, and I am really looking forward to aiding in the pursuit of its important mission.”

Coleman Health Services is a nonprofit provider of community based behavioral health and addiction recovery services with a focus on whole-person treatment and wellness. Coleman integrates behavioral health treatments with physical health monitoring and social support services such as peer programs, housing, and employment to establish a solid foundation for recovery. Coleman has offices in 10 Ohio counties and provides services in an additional 23 counties.

###

CONTACT INFORMATION
Coleman Health Services
Steve Bossart, VP of Business Development and Marketing
330-388-0719
Steve.bossart@colemanservices.org

Article: Original article written by Craig Webb, published in the Akron Beacon Journal. Image: An areal view of the I Promise HealthQuarters on West Market Street in Akron. Photo courtesy of the LeBron James Family Foundation.

LeBron James has said it takes a village to help raise a kid and make a true difference.

And Tuesday’s announcement of the new I Promise HealthQuarters furthers his contention that a holistic approach is needed to make change not only in a child’s life but for the student’s entire family.

The new I Promise HealthQuarters will be the latest addition to the growing set of resources offered by James’ namesake foundation and will be situated right across the street from the now-under-construction House Three Thirty.

Like the old Tangier, the property and building was owned by the George family that has operated Bell Music Co. — which supplies arcade-type amusements to businesses — for decades out of the structure that includes offices and a large warehouse space.

AxessPointe to partner with LeBron James Family Foundation

The foundation has partnered with AxessPointe Community Health Partners to offer the medical, dental and optometry care along with on-site lab services and even a reduced-cost pharmacy.

Mark Frisone, executive director of AxessPointe, said everything just fell together to make this possible right when it seemed things were somewhat falling apart for the non-profit that targets the medical needs of underserved areas in Summit and Portage counties.

AxessPointe operated a fourth full clinic on South Broadway in Akron that had to close about a year ago when its partner, the Cleveland Clinic, opted to switch the services offered at the site. Frisone said they were looking for another spot in Akron to open up when they teamed up with the foundation.

“Bluest skies are on the other side of the darkest clouds,” he said.

A combination of grant funding and charitable donations will make the $3 million-plus project move forward.

Frisone said a lot of people, from the foundation to the city, have been working for months to make the project possible.

What’s unique about this particular clinic is that it will offer a wealth of services all under one roof.

For many, he said, the lack of access to health care — particularly when it comes to transportation, scheduling and even billing — creates barriers to preventive and critical care.

And to have it located in the heart of a neighborhood where it can serve the greatest number of residents both young and old is a plus.

“The greatest wealth for a community is good health,” he said. “The (LeBron James Family) Foundation understands this for the community.”

A key component for this particular project, Frisone said, is that it also includes mental health services. Often one’s physical health is impacted by one’s mental health, or vice versa.

“This is truly a transformational project for this part of town,” he said.

Peg’s Foundation also partnering with LeBron’s foundation

Coleman Health Services and Peg’s Foundation are also partners.

Hudson-based Peg’s Foundation has been working with James’ foundation over the last five years to offer educational support through mental health services for students to the tune of about half a million dollars per year.

Rick Kellar, president of the foundation, said the organization’s motto is to “think bigger” in its mission to help improve access to mental health care and treatment.

Creating a one-stop place for I Promise students and families and the Greater Akron community, Kellar said, to address both physical and mental well-being under one roof was simply something they had to be part of.

“Where the need is sometimes the greatest, you have the least resources,” he said. “There’s an opportunity here in Akron to do something different and change the world.”

The world can be a scary place, particularly in the eyes of a kid.

There’s a war in Europe.

Racial and political tension in America.

And violence is not far from the doorstep for many Akron school kids.

Just this past week an Akron teen was beaten to the death in an apparent dispute in the parking lot of the I Promise School that the Foundation and Akron Public Schools have partnered in running. The school was closed for the school year.

Coleman Health Services part of new facility from LeBron’s foundation

As much as we try to insulate our kids, Hattie Tracy, president and CEO of Coleman Health Services, said, children are exposed to violence daily, and it is taking a mental toll.

“This is no easy task for our kids to see and deal with on a daily basis,” she said.

That, coupled with the fears and isolation during the pandemic, she said, has created a greater need for mental health services and counseling for both children and adults.

Tracy said there is an opportunity with the HealthQuarters to make mental health services as readily available as seeing a dentist for a cavity or a doctor for a stomachache.

“We have an opportunity to work with some families who historically have been underserved,” she said. “This will be a much more elevated and collaborative level than we have previously done.”

George family promise is to help foundation help community

David A. George, whose family operated the Tangier and owned the building where the HealthQuarters will be located, said there’s been a lot of interest in the building — particularly as House Three Thirty takes shape across the street.

He said he’s fielded calls from developers interested in building everything from offices, to a fast food-restaurant, to a gas station, to even a marijuana dispensary.

But in the end, he said, the family decided — just like the fate of the Tangier — what was best for the neighborhood and the city was partnering with the foundation.

“Our top priority was helping the foundation transform this area of Akron,” he said.

The family’s arcade supplier business is not going away.

George said they are now in the midst of finding a new spot for the business that has been around since 1935 and has about 800 or so clients.

“We marvel at what the foundation does,” he said. “They are doers.”

CONTACT INFORMATION
Kathy Myers
Director, Communication and Advocacy
330-676-6926
kathy.myers@colemanservices.org

Bambi Simon, LNHA, CDP

Ravenna, Ohio (March 8, 2022) – Coleman Adult Day Services recently welcomed Bambi Simon, LNHA, CDP as its new Chief Officer. Bambi has spent her career working with seniors in nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities as well as being the Program Director at an adult day center.

She is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, a Certified Dementia Practitioner was a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, making her the ideal leader for Coleman’s Adult Day. Coleman Adult Day Services, located at 6695 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna, provides a medical model of daytime care for adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s in a safe, supportive, and socially stimulating setting. It also provides daytime care for a small number of adults with developmental disabilities.

Coleman President and CEO, Hattie Tracy, said “Bambi Simon has the expertise and experience we were seeking.  We are fortunate to have found such a wonderful, qualified individual for Chief Officer at Coleman Adult Day Services. Bambi’s uplifting attitude has truly become a light at the facility as she begins building on Adult Day’s long history of serving our seniors in our communities.”

“The clients here at Coleman Adult Day are absolutely delightful and the staff is excellent and really cares about them,” said Bambi. “I understand some families worry that having their loved one in a daytime program while they are away at work or running errands, might be confusing to the loved one. We work very hard to keep our clients engaged and active while they are here. They have the opportunity to socialize and play games, which is helpful in slowing the progression of their neurological disease. I am glad to be working for an organization and with other staff that have similar values as I do.”

Coleman Adult Day offers a free 4-hour trial, but it must be scheduled in advance to insure proper staffing. If you are interested in learning more, visit Coleman Adult Day Services or call 330-296-3214 to schedule a tour today.

Coleman Adult Day is a service of Coleman Health Services, a nationally recognized nonprofit provider of behavioral health and addiction recovery programs that improve the lives of individuals, families and businesses in Ohio.  For more information about the many services, visit Coleman Health Services.

###

CONTACT INFORMATION
Kathy Myers
Director, Communication and Advocacy
330-676-6926
kathy.myers@colemanservices.org

Youngstown, OH – A Professional Development Symposium on Racial Justice, Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention will take place on February 4, 2022 at the Eastwood Event Center in Niles. The keynote speaker for this important event is Kevin Richardson. Richardson, at age 14, was wrongfully convicted and served seven years in prison for a brutal crime in New York’s Central Park. His story is told in the Netflix mini-series When They See Us. The symposium is a day-long event presented by Coleman Health Services in partnership with the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board (TCMHRB).

The often “uncomfortable” topic is the idea of Katie Cretella who until recently worked as the Director of Access (crisis) at Coleman in Warren and is now working as Director of Clinical Services at the TCMHRB.

“The goal of this event is to educate the community, while raising awareness and bridging the gap between the medical, mental health and legal systems of care,” said Cretella. “We are excited to be able to provide this educational event for many different professional fields while also being proactive on these critical issues. We are all here to serve our communities and being able to come together for this all-day event will be impactful.”

The event will also feature Laurese Glover, who with the help of the Ohio Innocence Project, had his case overturned in 2016 after being charged with a 1995 murder in Cleveland. Other speakers include Judge Carla Baldwin of Youngstown Municipal Court, James DeLucia of the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center, State Representative Thomas West, Attorney Pierce Reed of the Ohio Innocence Project, Dr. Doug Smith of the Summit County ADM Board, and Carmella Hill, Clinical Director of Coleman Health Services Trumbull County. Malik Mostella, Community Liaison for the Youngstown Police Department, will serve as emcee and Carol Bennett, Assistant Provost of Diversity at YSU, will moderate the interviews and panel discussion.

“The past three years in this country, we have seen events take place that have caused society to look at itself in the mirror,” reflects Mostella. “It is good that we are able to sit down to discuss our differences, and ironically find out that we are not that different from each other.”

A limited number of free tickets will be available to first responders and college students. Continuing education credits will be available for counselors, social workers, attorneys, nurses, school counselors, and EMTs.

“The Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board wants to ensure health equity and cultural competence within all behavioral health programs in our community,” said April Caraway, Executive Director of the TCMHRB. “We want to make certain that services meet the needs of diverse populations. We see this conversation as the next step to achieving this goal.”

“When we first began talking about this event, there were sponsors who immediately stepped up,
recognizing the potential impact of this symposium,” added Stacia Erdos, Coleman Health Services’
Regional Development Director for the Mahoning Valley. “Because of their generosity, we are able
to bring Kevin Richardson to the area, and provide free tickets to more than 100 students and law
enforcement.”
In addition to the TCMHRB, other sponsors include the Coleman Foundation; Cafaro Foundation;
Mercy Health Foundation and Mercy Health; Farmers Bank; the Warren Area Chamber of
Commerce Education, Civic and Cultural Foundation; Pegs Foundation, Platt Insurance; The Ross
Griffin Memorial Foundation; and Covelli Enterprises. A meet and greet will take place on the
evening of February 3rd at The Grand Resort.
Registration is now open, with tickets costing $100 which includes breakfast, lunch, and CEUs.

ABOUT COLEMAN HEALTH SERVICES

Coleman Health Services was founded in Kent, Ohio in 1978. It offers comprehensive behavioral health, residential, employment, and supportive services. Coleman serves clients in 22 counties across Ohio. Its footprint stretches from Steubenville and Youngstown in the Eastern part of the state to Lima and Wapakoneta in the western half of Ohio. It earned the 2021 Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit ColemanServices.org.

###

Media Contact
Kathy Myers
Director of Communications & Advocacy
330-676-6926
Kathy.Myers@ColemanServices.org

Move Will Allow For Improved Access, Additional Staff, and Expanded Services 

Akron, Ohio, December 10, 2021 – Coleman Health Services is pleased to announce its move from within Summa Health at 525 East Market Street, Akron, to 1815 West Market Street, Ste. 301, Akron, 44313. The new office will open December 21, 2021.

The relocation comes as the organization had sought to find a larger, more comfortable setting to deliver patient care. The new office space more than quadruples the 1,300sf size of the Summa Health location. At 5,400sf, the larger space will enable Coleman to expand services and staff to better meet the growing needs of the community.

“Summa Health has been such a gracious host to us,” commented Keri Deyling, Coleman’s Chief Officer of Summit County. “We are excited to move to our new, larger office in the Wallhaven neighborhood. By having our own dedicated space, we can further establish Coleman as an independent organization, which it has always been.”

Ease of access to care was another consideration when choosing the new location. Not only does it offer convenient parking, but it is also on the Metro RTA bus line, making it easy to get to for many clients.

Additionally, Deyling sees tremendous opportunity for growth in several areas that will benefit clients. Coleman will now be able to offer more services for children, adolescents, and adults, including expanded services for substance use disorders. There will also be dedicated space for its case management team to more easily address the specific challenges that many clients face, such as housing, poverty, and employment.

Another advantage of the new office directly addresses a need that so many clients have expressed: a larger area for group therapy. Group therapy had been limited at the existing location due to a lack of space.

Deyling anticipates that there will be no disruption in client services as the move takes place.

Services Coleman in Summit County offer includes, child counseling and psychiatry, Adult MH and SUD counseling and psychiatry, Adult Case management, Employment Services, and Nursing. 

“We are thrilled to offer integrated care, in a comfortable environment, that gives our clients the best chance for successful recovery,” stated Deyling. “Our clients are at the core of every decision we make. This new office will dramatically enhance our ability to meet their needs.”

For more information, visit ColemanServices.org 

ABOUT COLEMAN HEALTH SERVICES

Coleman Health Services was founded in Kent, Ohio in 1978. It offers comprehensive behavioral health, residential, employment, and supportive services. Coleman serves clients in 22 counties across Ohio. Its footprint stretches from Steubenville and Youngstown in the Eastern part of the state to Lima and Wapakoneta in the western half of Ohio. It earned the 2021 Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit ColemanServices.org.

###

Media Contact
Kathy Myers
Director of Communications & Advocacy
330-676-6926
Kathy.Mysers@ColemanServices.org

KENT, OHIO August 6, 2021 – Coleman Professional Services, a nonprofit provider of behavioral healthcare and rehabilitation services, is now Coleman Health Services. The new name better reflects the organization’s focus on whole-person treatment.  

 “The name ‘Coleman Professional Services’ no longer represents the continuous changes in our behavioral health field,” Nelson Burns, president and CEO, said. “We now can expand our services to meet the holistic nature of healthcare; we provide more integrated health services than ever before.”

Burns, who is retiring after 36 years of service, noted that the mission of Coleman has not changed – to improve the lives of people it serves regardless of their ability to pay, by delivering mental health, substance use, residential, and rehabilitation services. Coleman has recently been designated a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in a number of the counties where it provides services.  As a CCBHC, Coleman will also have primary care offered at those locations.

Hattie Tracy, Coleman’s new President and CEO, enthusiastically endorses the new name and logo. “Now that Coleman is offering expanded services to treat our clients’ behavioral health and physical health needs, the new name will better represent Coleman and all that we do in the counties that we serve.” She added, “The logo is great because it represents our clients in the center surrounded by Coleman’s seven values.”  

Coleman started in 1978 in Portage County as the Kevin Coleman Center. In 1996 the name was changed to Coleman Professional Services and the organization began to grow beyond Portage County. Coleman now provides services in 22 Ohio counties, from the western border to the eastern border.

Services provided by Coleman in addition to behavioral health include employment, residential, and various social services.  Coleman operates four enterprise businesses to help provide funding for Coleman’s award-winning services. For more information, visit ColemanServices.org.

#####

CONTACT INFORMATION
Kathy Myers, Director of Communications
Coleman Health Services
330-676-6926
kathy.myers@colemanservices.org

Hattie Tracy

KENT, Ohio. August, 2021 – Coleman Health Services is excited to welcome Hattie Tracy as its new President and CEO. Tracy previously served Coleman as the Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations and succeeds Nelson Burns after nearly 36 years in the role. Tracy’s new role officially started on August 7th, 2021.

 “We are thrilled with the selection of Hattie Tracy to be our next President and CEO,” Kris Syrvalin, board chair, said. “Our organization’s strategic plan has us poised to continue our growth and our ability to provide the best integrated care to the clients in our service areas. Hattie was involved in that planning and is the right person to lead us in that exciting direction. She will bring the leadership, knowledge and innovation the position requires in order to continue to support and serve individuals in all Coleman communities.”

Tracy has a long and successful history in the behavioral health field. She brings nearly 20 years of behavioral health and human services experience, with over 10 years in executive team roles. She has a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree from Kent State University and a Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University. She is a licensed social worker in the state of Ohio.

“I entered this field because I wanted to make a difference for the people we serve,” Tracy said. “Leading Coleman is the best way I can think of to have that positive impact. I am so excited to work with the Board, the senior leadership team and all of our 900 employees to put those we serve right in the middle of Coleman’s core values.”

Tracy was chosen from more than 100 applicants in a National Search. Coleman Health Services was founded in Kent, Ohio in 1978. It offers comprehensive behavioral health, residential, employment, and supportive services. It earned the 2021 Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. Earlier this year, Coleman earned the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) designation from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), one of 11 such designees in the state. This designation will allow Coleman to provide fully integrated health services across six Ohio counties. Tracy has been leading that effort.

###

For more information, visit ColemanServices.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Coleman Health Services
Steve Bossart, VP
330-676-6921
Steve.bossart@colemanservices.org