Waterbury health services non-profits to merge

Two Waterbury health services non-profits have agreed to merge their operations.

The boards of directors of Wellpath Inc. and Morris Foundation have agreed to combine their resources, creating a $20 million organization to be called Wellmore Behavioral Health.

Wellpath is a regional provider of comprehensive and integrated behavioral health services for children and families and serves fewer than 100 kids annually.

Morris Foundation provides treatment services for alcohol, other drug addiction and mental illness in men, women and adolescents.

Wellmore’s new administrative offices will be located at 141 East Main St. in downtown Waterbury, which is the former Moriarty Building purchased by Wellpath in June 2011.  Morris Foundation operations will be transitioned into Wellmore over the next 12 months in order to maintain continuity of services and minimize disruption of operations. 

The new organization will serve a 48-town region spanning from Greater Waterbury to the lower Naugatuck Valley and northwest Connecticut.  When combined, the private non-profit company will operate with a $20 million budget and employ nearly 300 employees at 13 sites.  Wellmore is expected to serve more than 18,500 clients on an annual basis, including children, adolescents, adults and entire families.

Officials from both non-profits said the merger is expected to increase capacity to serve clients, diversify services, extend the reach and influence of programs, and increase authority with primary funders.