Milestones

In 1991, Bohemia Residential Community became a qualified Medicaid provider.

The next year, in order to reflect the goal of providing mental health services to the broader community, Bohemia Residential Community changed its name to South Lane Mental Health and secured its first full-time executive director. In 1992, Tom Wheeler, the current executive director, was hired. He helped the Board of Directors identify two key goals, which shaped South Lane Mental Health's direction. Those are:

  1. 1. Provide outpatient counseling to anyone who asks for assistance, and
  2. 2. Expand independent housing options for adults with severe mental illnesses.

A first step toward increasing independent housing options was accomplished through Oregon Housing and Community Services grants. Funds were used to renovate a transitional cottage behind Bohemia Residential Community. Over the next several years, three additional duplex houses were developed as well. Today, 11 adults with severe mental illnesses live there.

In 1994, South Lane Mental Health was awarded state funding to help five long-term patients from state hospitals transition to living in the community. The program, known as “Passages”, nearly doubled the agency budget.

In 1995, to accommodate the agency's growth, a new office for outpatient services opened at 410 N. Ninth St. in Cottage Grove.

Also in 1995, South Lane Mental Health hired Christine Menager, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, the first medically qualified individual in South Lane County with a specialty in managing psychiatric medications.

Agency expansion continued and in 1997, South Lane Mental Health was designated a LaneCare contractor providing mental health services to Oregon Health Plan recipients.

In 2000, South Lane Mental Health began serving children. Over the next several years, a children's treatment supervisor and five additional children's counselors were hired. Relationships were developed with Head Start, South Lane Family Relief Nursery, and South Lane School District.

In 2008, the City of Cottage Grove won a Community Development Block Grant to purchase and renovate a new community mental health facility for South Lane Mental Health.

In mid-2010, South Lane Mental Health moved from rented quarters to a permanent home at 1345 Birch Avenue in Cottage Grove.