SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse–based Helio Health and Central New York Services Inc. (CNYS) — described as two of the region’s largest nonprofit behavioral-health systems — on Wednesday announced their affiliation and planned merger.
The organization will continue operations as Helio Health. It didn’t release any financial terms of its agreement with CNYS.
Helio Health isn’t sure when the merger will become official because of the regulatory process involved, including approval from the New York State Attorney General’s office, Lauren Klemanski, chief marketing officer at Helio Health, told BJNN in a Wednesday afternoon phone call.
Central New York Services operates at 518 James St. in Syracuse. Helio Health has facilities in Syracuse, Rochester, Utica, and Binghamton.
CNYS’ annual operating budget is $17 million and it employs 248 people. The combined organization will operate under a $70 million budget with combined employee count of 729 people, Helio Health said in a Wednesday news release.
The combined organization will include “dozens” of clinics and residential-care centers, Helio Health added.
John Warren, executive director of Central New York Services, will assume the position of VP of residential construction and development. Jeremy Klemanski, president and CEO of Helio Health, will continue leading the combined organization.
“We are excited about building a more integrated behavioral healthcare network for our region,” Klemanski said in the release. “We want people in our region to have access to the best behavioral health services available, and this merger helps us build towards that goal.”
“The chance to join Helio Health in developing an integrated continuum of care for our most vulnerable citizens is a great opportunity,” Warren said. “Bringing our agencies together solidifies and enhances critical community services. Central New York Services is delighted to be part of this important step in enhancing the quality of community behavioral healthcare in our region.”
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com