Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1515255
Opening doors for 50 years 9 The Bridge of Central Massachusetts • 2012 The Bridge opens program in Hyde Park to serve individuals with I/DD and continues to focus on evidence-based practices throughout its services. • 2015 Barry Walsh, PhD retires as Executive Director of The Bridge and Ken Bates becomes President and CEO. • 2016 Open Sky becomes a licensed outpatient clinic serving individuals with Medicaid, Medicare and other insurances. Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. • 2010 Alternatives Unlimited is awarded new contracts by DMH and assumes the operation of North Central Human Services, Inc. in Gardner. The Bridge and Alternatives collaborate on five north county programs. • 2011 First "Club 21" launched in Worcester – a social club matching 10 individuals served with 10 community volunteers. • 2012 Adult Family Care program grows to 75 individuals and their families. • 2016 Alternatives ends its 40th year with 700 staff and budget of $45 million. • 2018 Affiliation becomes official on July 1, 2018. THROUGH THE YEARS 2010- 2018 2018 The Beginning of Open Sky Community Services • 2018 Dennis Rice retires as Executive Director of Alternatives Unlimited, and Ken Bates becomes President and CEO of the merged entity. • 2018 Together the two agencies become Open Sky Community Services, Inc., representing the idea of limitless possibilities for people who face a myriad of challenges. • 2018 Open Sky forms Central Community Health Partnership (CCHP) and participates in the MassHealth Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Pilot. • 2018 Open Sky is awarded our first SAMHSA grant and becomes a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). • 2018 Open Sky collaborates with MassHealth to pilot Behavioral Health for Justice Involved (BHJI). • 2018 Open Sky opens our first DPH / BSAS funded program – Co-Occurring Enhanced Residential Program in Douglas. Open Sky expands homeless services and services for justice-involved. • 2022 The agency is awarded a contract from DMH for Tradewinds Club House in Southbridge and from DDS for the Family Support Center of Blackstone Valley. • 2023 Open Sky collaborates with Seven Hills Foundation and other partners to form new Career Pipeline programs for immigrants and refugees and BIPOC staff, receiving $6 million in grant funding over three years. • 2023 Today, Open Sky has 1,300 employees in more than 100 programs throughout Central Mass with a budget of $118 million. • 2018 Alternatives Unlimited and The Bridge of Central Massachusetts affiliate on July 1, 2018.