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CHNK Behavioral Health Announces Evolution to OneQuest Health, Scaling a Nearly 150-Year Legacy in Order to “Transform America’s Health.”

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COVINGTON, Ky. — August 20, 2026—OneQuest Health announces a new research partnership with the Center for Economic Analysis and Development (CEAD) at Northern Kentucky University to study the broader economic and fiscal impact of behavioral health and substance use challenges across the region.

The study will examine the broader economic and fiscal effects associated with behavioral health and substance use disorders, including healthcare utilization, criminal justice involvement, workforce participation and education. It will also evaluate the potential economic implications of prevention, intervention and recovery support services using published research and conservative assumptions.

"Organizations like ours have long relied on the stories of individual clients and families, people facing abuse, neglect, addiction, and other adverse experiences, to make the case for support," said Rick Wurth, CEO and Chief Philanthropy Officer of OneQuest Health. "Those stories are real, and we will always serve people at their hardest moments. But this study is about something different: a new way of interpreting our impact as an organization. We can't rely on heartstrings alone. We have to effectively demonstrate the specific ways we're making a difference in every sector of society, healthcare, the justice system, the workforce, our schools. CEAD will help us better understand that impact and provide credible information that can guide future policy and investment."

The research will be led by Janet Harrah, Executive Director of Outreach and Senior Director of the Center for Economic Analysis and Development at Northern Kentucky University, whose team specializes in translating regional economic data into tools for policymakers and community leaders.

"Behavioral health and substance use challenges carry real economic weight in healthcare spending, in the justice system and in lost workforce participation. That weight is often invisible in public conversation because no one has quantified it locally," said Harrah. "Our goal is to provide policymakers, community leaders and funding partners with a data-driven assessment of the economic and fiscal effects associated with behavior health and substance use challenges, as well as what existing research indicates about the potential impact of prevention and recovery services."

The study is being underwritten by OneQuest Health Board of Trustees member Dr. Dorothy Air and her spouse, Dr. Gordon W. Air. Dr. Dorothy Air has served on the OneQuest Health Board of Trustees since 2018.

"We are deeply grateful for their investment in research that can inform future conversations about policy, funding and community needs," said Wurth. "Through their support of this study, she and Gordon are helping us develop a clearer, data-informed understanding of the broader economic impact of behavioral health and substance use challenges in our region."

"I've served on this board long enough to see what access to care can mean for individuals and families," said Dr. Dorothy Air. "Gordon and I wanted to support research that looks beyond individual stories and helps policymakers and funders better understand the broader economic and community impact of behavioral health and substance use challenges. We hope this study provides credible information that can guide future decisions."

The CEAD partnership builds on an already deep relationship between OneQuest Health and Northern Kentucky University. NKU nursing students complete internships at OneQuest Health under the preceptorship of an advanced practice registered nurse, and three OneQuest Health team leaders serve as subsidized adjunct faculty teaching NKU College of Health and Human Services coursework directly on OneQuest Health's campuses.

"OneQuest Health was built on the idea that behavioral health is a community-wide issue, not just an individual one," Wurth added. "This study will help us better understand its broader economic and social impact and provide policymakers and philanthropic partners with credible information to guide future decisions."

The final report, executive summary, and stakeholder presentation are expected in January 2027.

OneQuest Health commissions NKU study on economic impact of behavioral health challenges

Derecho left main campus without power for four days and internet for six — no critical incidents reported across any location

August 17, 2026 —The derecho that tore through Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, knocked out power across the region — and put OneQuest Health's emergency planning to its toughest real-world test in years. Six days later, every client, family, and associate came through safely.

OneQuest Health's main campus in Devou Park lost power the afternoon of August 11 and did not have it restored until August 14. Internet connectivity remained down even longer, not returning until August 17. Without generator capacity, the main campus could not safely continue operations and remained closed for the full week. 

The organization's Burlington campus also lost power in the storm, but its on-site generators kept life-safety systems, HVAC, and support for its round-the-clock treatment team running throughout. That capacity became critical: psychiatric residential clients from the main campus, along with treatment team members from all three shifts, were relocated to Burlington for the duration of the closure, allowing continuity of care to continue uninterrupted. 

The storm's reach extended well beyond residential care. OneQuest Health's Outpatient division felt the disruption too — Day Treatment and Partial Hospitalization programming shifted to other locations for clients affected by the closure, and new employee orientation was relocated to OneQuest Health's Covington outpatient center at 5th and Philadelphia Streets, where the organization offers individual therapy, medication management, and a full range of outpatient services. 

As the only licensed Level I psychiatric residential treatment facility in Kentucky's Northern Bluegrass Region, a multi-day power outage at OneQuest Health's main campus carries risk-management stakes far beyond inconvenience. Badge-entry security systems protecting the administration building and youth residential buildings depend on battery backup during outages, and the length of last week's outage required staff to activate emergency evacuation procedures to keep clients safe throughout the closure. 

The main campus is also home to Covington Independent Public Schools' alternative education programs for students requiring specialized interventions, prompting the district to stand up contingency plans that redirected affected staff to other district sites for the week. And on a more practical note, the commercial kitchen at the main campus — which prepares meals not only for OneQuest Health locations across Northern Kentucky but also for other area nonprofit meal programs — was unable to operate from August 11 through August 17. 

"I was especially proud of how every department of this organization, from business operations to philanthropy, knew exactly what role they needed to play," said Crystal Leugers, Chief Programming Officer, who oversees treatment services across all five OneQuest Health locations in Northern Kentucky and Louisville. "Our teams relied on emergency planning processes we've built and rehearsed for exactly this kind of moment, and they executed them efficiently and without hesitation. I want to be clear: there were no critical incidents at any location throughout the closures or the relocation. That outcome was not luck — it was preparation." 

CEO and Chief Philanthropy Officer Rick Wurth pointed to the community response that made the week manageable. "State Representative Stephanie Dietz was personally engaged with us throughout the closure, and she helped connect our leadership with the right people at the right moments," Wurth said. "Duke Energy, Altafiber, and the City of Covington were all tremendous partners. When fallen trees and branches blocked access to our main campus via Home Road in Devou Park, the City of Covington had crews on site within a very short window. Covington Mayor Ron Washington and his team were there for us."

 Wurth also credited the organization's donors for investments that proved their worth in the moment. "Our donors have provided things like enhanced security features and our Digital First Strategies work, and both played a real role in how we navigated this," he said. "I want to specifically thank Carol and Bob Griffin, whose gift of our entire vehicle fleet in years past already serves us daily across our outpatient and residential treatment programs. During last week's closure, that same fleet became the means by which we moved staff and psychiatric residential clients safely between campuses. Our donors have our backs every single day, and we never saw that more clearly than we did during the very dark storms of last week."

 Looking ahead, OneQuest Health's Board of Trustees Real Estate and Facilities Committee will explore the installation of emergency generators at the main campus as part of its next meeting, with the goal of closing the gap that forced the week-long closure and ensuring the campus can remain operational during future extended outages.

Downed trees at the Devou Park Campus of OneQuest Health in the aftermath of the derecho on August 11, 2026. 

OneQuest Health Returns to Full Operations After Major Power Outage; Emergency Plans Kept Kids Safe

OneQuest Health launches “The 208 Connection Challenge” for its Founder’s 208

Celebrating the 208th birthday of Covington philanthropist Amos Shinkle, OneQuest Health repurposes his bridge-building legacy to tackle loneliness and depression across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. 

COVINGTON, KY – August 11, 2026 – OneQuest Health (formerly CHNK Behavioral Health) is celebrating the 208

 birthday of one of the region’s defining historic figures, Amos Shinkle, with its “The 208 Connection Challenge.” The challenge is a simple initiative designed to combat loneliness, anxiety, and depression through intentional human connection. 

Best known for financing the iconic Roebling Suspension Bridge and founding the Covington Protestant Children’s Home, which was the precursor to OneQuest Health, Amos Shinkle generously built bridges between people and the resources they needed to thrive. Nearly 150 years later, OneQuest Health is repurposing Shinkle’s bridge-building spirit to address today’s modern health epidemic of social isolation.

“Amos Shinkle understood that connection is a lifeline, from building a physical bridge over the Ohio River to creating a place for children in need,” said Rick Wurth, CEO of OneQuest Health. “Today, as 3.4 million Kentuckians live in mental health professional shortage areas, connection remains our most vital protective factor. Isolation feeds depression; genuine connection builds resilience.” 

 birthday, OneQuest Health encouraged its team and supporters to collectively make 208 meaningful connections on August 11. 

·        Check in on someone: Reach out to a friend, family member, or co-worker with a genuine “How are you feeling?”

·        Build a gratitude bridge: Share a message of thanks with a healthcare provider, teacher, or local caregiver.

·        Prioritize self-care: Schedule a personal therapy or coaching session to support your own mental fitness.

·        Create your own: Any intentional act of human connection counts.

·        Share your moment on August 11 by tagging @onequsthealth on social media or dropping a comment on their post. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for free, confidential 24/7 support. To connect with OneQuest Health for therapy, life coaching, or EAP services, visit onequesthealth.org or call 859-261-8768. 

OneQuest Health is a multi-state integrated behavioral and primary care nonprofit headquartered in Covington, Kentucky, serving Kentucky, southern Ohio, and Indiana. Formerly known as CHNK Behavioral Health, the organization carries a nearly 150-year legacy of service that has evolved from its origins in child welfare into a modern, integrated care enterprise. Today, OneQuest Health employs approximately 165 professionals across Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Williamstown, and Louisville. It provided approximately 50,000 treatment services and 7,000 client and family impacts in fiscal year 2026. Learn more at 

OneQuest Health Associates celebrate Amos Shinkle's birthday and the 208 Challenge

OneQuest Health launches “The 208 Connection Challenge” for its Founder’s 208th Birthday

Rooted in trauma-informed care, ‘The Community Meeting’ brings emotional check-ins from clinical programs straight to the family breakfast table.

COVINGTON, KY – August 4, 2026 –As students return to the classroom, back-to-school transitions bring new academic pressures, schedule changes, and heightened emotional stress for families. In Kentucky, where 3.4 million residents live in a mental health professional shortage area, accessible support is more critical than ever. OneQuest Health reminds parents that the solution to our mental health crisis isn’t always found in a clinic—sometimes it can start right at the breakfast table.

To help families navigate this transition, OneQuest Health is encouraging parents and caregivers to adopt a simple ritual used by clinical professionals: 

. As a tool from the Sanctuary Model®, this 60-second check-in fosters emotional safety, open communication and daily accountability through three straightforward questions:

 – Encourage emotional vocabulary; surface-level cop-outs like “fine,” “good,” or “tired” are off-limits.

 – Focuses attention on forward momentum and individual agency.

 – Normalizes asking for support and reinforces connection.

“We use The Community Meeting across our psychiatric residential and outpatient programs every single day because it establishes emotional safety before tackling the challenges of the day,” said Adam Roland, vice president of outpatient services at OneQuest Health. “Bringing this 60-second practice home gives parents a quick, structured way to gauge where their kids are emotionally before drop-off or at dinner. It gives families a shared language to build resilience together.”

By embedding simple check-ins into daily routines, families can identify emerging stress before it escalates into a behavioral crisis or burnout.

OneQuest Health is a multi-state integrated behavioral and primary care nonprofit headquartered in Covington, Kentucky, serving Kentucky, southern Ohio, and

Indiana. Formerly known as CHNK Behavioral Health, the organization carries a nearly 150-year legacy of service that has evolved from its origins in child welfare into a modern, integrated care enterprise. Today, OneQuest Health employs approximately 165 professionals across Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Williamstown, and Louisville. It provided approximately 50,000 treatment services and 7,000 client and family impacts in fiscal year 2026. Learn more at onequesthealth.org.

OneQuest Health Shares 60-Second Mental Health Ritual to Help Families Navigate Back-to-School Stress

New Louisville mental health center promises no waitlist

Louisville Outpatient Center Grand Opening

OneQuest Health recently held the Grand Opening of our new Louisville Outpatient Center on July 8. We were joined by almost 50 area neighbors and businesses taking a tour of our new offices and joining us at the Welcome Ceremony held in the nearby offices of one of our neighbors, Kosair for Kids, which kicked off our day.

Dr. Mariya Leyderman, from the Office of Mayor Craig Greenberg, gave us the proclamation of July 8 as "OneQuest Health Louisville Grand Opening Day." Immediately afterward, Jordan Clemons of OneLouisville, gave the scissors to our Board of Trustees Chair, Robert Simmons, to officially cut the ribbon for us.

Mr. Simmons noted that our continued growth in this area of Kentucky now helps alleviate the shortage of mental healthcare workers in the Commonwealth. Additionally, fellow OneQuest Health Board of Trustees member, Dr. Bobbie Glass, Special Resource Teacher with Jeffeson County Public Schools, gave special commentary on the importance of our presence in Louisville.

You can find us in the Medical Arts Building located at 1169 Eastern Parkway in Suite G-58, Louisville, KY 40217. 

We are excited to feature M & P Logistics, a company based in Florence, KY as our newest monthly donor to OneQuest Health. M & P Logistics company president, Steve Hall, is a lifelong resident of Northern Kentucky and has been familiar with the care and services we have been providing for nearly 150 years. 

One of the principles of his company is to give to organizations that support the most vulnerable young people in our region and throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Steve is well aware of the healthcare needs of our clients now and in the near future, and he has seen the love and care we have for all our individual clients and families.

Steve told us recently, "The guiding principles of M & P Logistics is to honor God in our work, mentor young men and women in our business, and to support ministries and charitable groups that impact our people in need." OneQuest Health is truly grateful and excited that M & P Logistics has joined us at the start of our new 2027 fiscal year by becoming our newest monthly donor.

This is especially important as we prepare to launch our new Monthly Giving program next month on Founders Day, August 11 (the birthdate of Amos Shinkle, who founded our organization back in 1880).

This day is the birthdate of our founder, Amos Shinkle, a prominent Covington, Kentucky businessman who helped fund the Roebling Suspension Bridge and gathered several of his fellow businessmen in the area to help charter the establishment of the Children's Home of Northern Kentucky, now known as OneQuest Health.

A special invitation-only event will celebrate this group of $5k+ donors which will include a bourbon-tasting, and a distinguished clothier's line of new apparel, among other things.

Mark your calendars now to attend our event before it sells out. Look for more information in future upcoming Monthly E-News issues, which will include Sponsorship Opportunities and a special Reservations link.

Staff Spotlight: Kara Pangburn, Day Treatment-Partial Hospitalization Program Supervisor

Kara first joined OneQuest Health in August 2019 as an intern in our Day Treatment Program while earning her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Once she obtained her advanced degree, she became a Therapist for our Day Treatment Program.

Kara says her favorite part of her work with our clients is being part of an organization where she feels supported, valued, and encouraged to dream big and take on new challenges each day. She is one of our countless dedicated employees who helps drive our mission. "I am truly grateful to work alongside people who believe in innovation, inclusivity, continuous learning, and the importance of uplifting one another while providing the best possible care for our clients," said Kara.

Kara told us she has been given wonderful opportunities to develop through leadership experiences, specialized trainings, retreats, and hands-on learning. She feels these experiences helped her grow personally and professionally as a therapist and a supervisor. She continued, "I enjoy mentoring staff, helping them build confidence in their roles, and creating a team environment where people feel empowered, engaged, and invested in the work they do."

Kara's favorite quote is from John R. Green, "There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn't." This quote speaks to her belief that helping clients find hope is one of the most powerful parts of therapy that she has witnessed throughout her career here at OneQuest Health. She adds, "Sometimes clients come to us during some of the most difficult moments in their lives and having someone believe in their ability to grow and overcome challenges can make a lasting difference"

Thank you, Kara, for helping make that difference in clients' lives every day.

We always welcome and need new donors to help fuel our mission to provide all healthcare needs for our clients, families, and all individuals. Please feel free to become a Monthly (recurring) donor, One-Time donor, or make a Pledge and establish your pledge payment plan this year.

A group photo of the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Louisville Outpatient Center Grand Opening event.

Monthly E-News: July 2026

New Louisville mental health center opens as Kentucky faces shortage of care options

Kenton County Mayors: Rick Wurth of One Quest Health talks about expanded vision and need to ‘transform health’

Integrated care provider names a new slate of officers, honors a decade of service from outgoing President Jeffrey Sackenheim, and establishes a standing committee to guide its digital transformation.

 — OneQuest Health, the multi-state integrated behavioral and primary care nonprofit formerly known as CHNK Behavioral Health, today announced a new slate of board officers, the addition of seven new trustees, and several governance changes formalized at the organization’s annual board retreat on June 1, 2026. The changes mark a leadership transition for an organization that now impacts approximately 7,000 clients and family members each year across Kentucky, southern Ohio, and Indiana. 

The announcement follows the conclusion of Board President Jeffrey Sackenheim’s tenure after ten years of faithful service. Under his leadership, OneQuest Health navigated a period of significant growth and transformation, including the opening of two satellite locations in Williamstown and Louisville that expanded access to integrated care across the organization’s service region. Vice President Geoffrey Egbers and Treasurer Josh Ruth also conclude their terms as executive officers.

“The new roster of board members coming onboard is an exciting moment for OneQuest Health. The business, legal, and medical professionals who volunteer to lead this organization as members of the Board of Trustees are simply stellar human beings who are truly transforming America’s health and creating the kind of world we all want to live in,” said CEO and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Rick Wurth. 

The board’s new executive officers, who each serve two-year terms, are:

·         President:  Robert Simmons  ·  Messer Construction

·         Vice President:  Karen Morgan  ·  GE Aerospace (Retired)

·         Treasurer:  Melanie Smart  ·  Rudler, PSC

·         Secretary:  Charlene Erler  ·  Community Organizer (Retired) 

As part of the governance changes, the board voted to reinstate the office of Secretary, with Charlene Erler serving in the newly restored position. Robert Simmons, of Messer Construction, assumes the presidency of an organization whose integrated behavioral and primary care services reach thousands of clients and families each year.

Effective July 1, 2026, OneQuest Health welcomes seven new members to its Board of Trustees, broadening the board’s depth of healthcare, industry, technology, and community expertise: 

·         Dr. Latonya Brown  ·  St. Elizabeth Healthcare

·         Keith Durbin  ·  Little Owl Strategies

·         Derek Haught  ·  Yung Family Foundation

·         Reva Henderson  ·  Harris Products Group, a Lincoln Electric Company

·         Dr. Joe Kremer  ·  The Christ Hospital

·         Nick Recker  ·  Blue Alliance

·         Dr. Robert Tagher  ·  St. Elizabeth Physicians 

Subject Matter Experts Advancing to Trusteeship

The OneQuest Health Board of Trustees uses a two-tiered membership approach. New members serve a minimum of one year with a voice but no vote, learning the organization’s culture, treatment philosophy, and the infrastructure mechanics of the five-location enterprise. Full trusteeship then brings voting rights and a three-year term, renewable for up to three terms. 

The following subject matter experts are advancing toward full voting rights as trustees:

A New Committee for Digital Transformation 

Looking to the future of care delivery, the Board of Trustees voted to establish a new standing committee charged with overseeing the digital transformation of the organization. Keith Durbin, of Little Owl Strategies, and Nick Recker, of Blue Alliance, will serve as the committee’s inaugural members, bringing technology and strategy expertise to a function that is increasingly central to how integrated care is delivered. 

The following trustees will serve as chairs of the board’s standing committees: Dr. Bobbie Glass, Geoffrey Egbers, Deborah Ramirez, Sal Santoro, and Keith Durbin. Their leadership ensures continuity of governance as the organization advances its mission. 

“I’m honored to step into this role at such a pivotal time,” said Robert Simmons, the board’s incoming President. “OneQuest Health touches 7,000 clients and family members every year, and the board’s job is to make sure the organization has the governance, the discipline, and the vision to serve them well for decades to come.” 

OneQuest Health is a multi-state integrated behavioral and primary care nonprofit headquartered in Covington, Kentucky, serving Kentucky, southern Ohio, and Indiana. Formerly known as CHNK Behavioral Health, the organization carries a nearly 150-year legacy of service that has evolved from its origins in child welfare into a modern, integrated care enterprise. Today, OneQuest Health employs approximately 165 professionals across Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Williamstown, and Louisville, and projects approximately 50,000 treatment services and 7,000 client and family impacts in fiscal year 2026. Learn more at 

 concludes ten years of dedicated service on the Board of Trustees, having guided OneQuest Health through significant regional growth and satellite expansions in Williamstown and Louisville.

, of Messer Construction, steps into the role of Board President to lead OneQuest Health’s governance and strategic vision across Kentucky, southern Ohio, and Indiana.

, a retired executive from GE Aerospace, serves as Vice President of the OneQuest Health Board of Trustees.

, representing Rudler, PSC, will serve as the OneQuest Health Board Treasurer.

 serves as Board Secretary, fulfilling a newly reinstated executive officer role on the Board of Trustees.

OneQuest Health Welcomes New Board Officers and Announces Governance Changes

Organization expedited through review for sixth straight cycle and has scored 100% compliance with all applicable standards since 2010; COA reviewers highlight clinical team's use of measurement-based care.

COVINGTON, Ky. (July 14, 2026) — OneQuest Health, a multi-state integrated behavioral and primary care nonprofit serving Kentucky, southern Ohio and Indiana, today announced it has earned its sixth consecutive reaccreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA), a service of Social Current — marking 24 consecutive years of national accreditation since the organization's first review in August 2002. OneQuest Health, formerly Children's Home of Northern Kentucky (CHNK), was again expedited through COA's Pre-Commission Review process after receiving no out-of-compliance ratings across any fundamental practice standard.

COA accreditation is awarded on a four-year cycle and requires organizations to demonstrate compliance with rigorous standards of best practice across administration, management and service delivery. Every reaccreditation cycle since 2006 has been expedited through COA's review process, meaning OneQuest Health has moved through each reaccreditation without additional site visits or corrective action periods. Since 2010, the organization has scored 100% compliance with all applicable standards.

In a letter notifying OneQuest Health of the achievement, Social Current President & CEO Jody Levison-Johnson praised the organization as "outstanding" and one that "has met high-performance standards and made a commitment to delivering quality services."

"This reaccreditation belongs to every clinician, care coordinator, support professional and board member who shows up for our clients every day. Twenty-four years of expedited compliance isn't a formality — it's independent, national confirmation that the standard of care we hold ourselves to is the standard our clients and communities deserve," said Rick Wurth, Chief Executive Officer of OneQuest Health.

Among the highlights of the 2026 reaccreditation review, COA reviewers praised OneQuest Health's clinical team for its approach to measurement-based care and its use of patient data to inform treatment goals and progress. Results from 2025 reflect highly effective treatment across multiple evidence-based measurement tools.

"Twenty-four years of accreditation tells you where we've been. What excites me is what it makes possible next — expanding access, deepening our clinical practice, and continuing to earn this trust year after year as OneQuest Health," said Julie Raia, Chief Strategy Officer.

The reaccreditation comes as OneQuest Health continues a period of significant growth, including the March 2026 opening of a new outpatient facility in Louisville.

OneQuest Health will receive its formal accreditation notification letter, Final Accreditation Report and accreditation certificate, along with a plaque for display, upon completion of Social Current's final administrative processing.

OneQuest Health Earns Sixth Consecutive COA Reaccreditation, Marking 24 Years of National Accreditation

LOUISVILLE, KY – July 9, 2026 – OneQuest Health officially marked the opening of its brand-new outpatient behavioral health office in Louisville, expanding vital mental health and substance use services to Jefferson County at a critical juncture for Kentucky’s healthcare landscape.

Yesterday’s grand opening celebration comes as mental health remains a pressing topic across Louisville, complicated by systemic Medicaid funding cuts and workforce shortages that have left thousands of Kentuckians struggling to access timely care.

The grand opening began at 11:00 a.m. at Kosair for Kids on Eastern Parkway with public remarks and networking among civic leaders, healthcare advocates, and community partners. Following the formal presentations, attendees gathered down the road at OneQuest Health’s new clinic inside the Medical Arts Building (1169 Eastern Parkway, Suite G-58) for an open house, facility tour, and light refreshments.

Located in the heart of Louisville, the fully operational clinic is already accepting patients with no wait list. The location offers individual, couples, and family therapy, alongside intensive outpatient programming, family preservation services, and telehealth options.

Community and organizational leaders took to the podium to share remarks on the importance of expanding behavioral health infrastructure in Jefferson County.

“One of the things we’re committed to is catalytic partnerships. We have to partner very effectively with the city, with our state elected officials, with our hospital systems, with fellow not-for-profits, and certainly with the business community, otherwise we are not going to be able to accomplish what we want to accomplish.”

Dr. Mariya Leyderman, Executive Director of Behavioral Health, Mayor’s Office of Behavioral Health

“We are really grateful that we have another place for mental health…Behavioral health isn’t you go and cry in a therapist’s chair. Behavioral health is part of a city and a structure; it’s part of an entire system. If we don’t do behavioral health right, we can’t really do anything in a community or city right. So, I think it’s just great that

behavioral health is being recognized for where it needs to be, which is the front line.”

Robert Simmons, OneQuest Health Board President

“The story of OneQuest Health has never been simply about opening buildings. It’s about opening doors to opportunity, to healing, to hope and to healthier futures. From one location in 2010 to five today, our growth has been guided by clear strategic vision – be proactive, embrace integrated care, advance equity and build catalytic partnerships.”

Addressing the Medicaid Access Gap in Kentucky

The opening of OneQuest Health’s Louisville office comes during an unprecedented squeeze on Kentucky's mental health safety net.

· 3.4 million Kentuckians live in federally designated mental health professional shortage areas.

· 70% of adults with substance use disorders in Kentucky do not receive treatment.

· 54% of youth suffering from major depression go without care, while 10.7% of children and adolescents sought emergency room care for mental health crises in 2023 alone.

These gaps are exacerbated by significant reductions in federal and state Medicaid funding. Kentucky is projected to lose nearly $2 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next decade, putting dozens of rural hospitals at risk of closure and forcing health systems statewide to scale back essential services. Because Medicaid covers 57% of all emergency department visits in Kentucky related to mental health and substance use diagnoses, provider cuts threaten to push the existing emergency care system past its breaking point.

Formerly known as CHNK Behavioral Health, OneQuest Health has served the region for nearly 150 years. The organization's strategic expansion into Louisville represents a broader movement away from reactive crisis care toward an integrated model combining mental and physical wellness.

To maintain financial sustainability while serving low-income and Medicaid-enrolled patients, the nonprofit mental health organization operates through a hybrid public-private structure. In addition to traditional clinical services, the organization offers wellness programming, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for local businesses, and life coaching—allowing commercial revenue streams to subsidize care for vulnerable populations. Recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for LGBTQ+

inclusion, the new Louisville outpatient clinic aims to provide a welcoming space for patients of all backgrounds.

Residents seeking services or more information about the new Louisville outpatient office can visit www.onequesthealth.org or email info@onequesthealth.org.

OneQuest Health is dedicated to transforming America’s health by championing a proactive, integrated approach to physical and mental well-being. Built on the nearly 150-year legacy of CHNK Behavioral Health, OneQuest Health empowers individuals and communities to move beyond reactive care, fostering healthier, more resilient lives through a scalable, sustainable, and empathy-driven system of care. For fiscal year 2026, OneQuest Health, is on track to perform 50,000 treatment services, representing 7,000 client impacts across Kentucky and parts of Ohio and Indiana.

OneQuest Health Board President Robert Simmons (center left) cuts the ceremonial ribbon alongside CEO Rick Wurth (center right), who holds the official mayoral proclamation declaring July 8, 2026, as "OneQuest Health Grand Opening Day" in Louisville, Kentucky. Standing two places to Wurth’s left (viewer’s right) is Dr. Mariya Leyderman, executive director of behavioral health for the Mayor’s office, surrounded by OneQuest Health leadership and staff.

OneQuest Health Opens Louisville Outpatient Center Amid Statewide Mental Health Shortages

COVINGTON, KY – July 1, 2026 – A new grant from the WHAS Crusade for Children is paving an easier path to mental health support for teenagers living in rural parts of the Northern Bluegrass region. OneQuest Health has been awarded a three-year, $23,000 grant from the Crusade to directly expand vital therapy and telehealth services for youth ages 12 to 17 in Carroll, Grant, Owen, and adjacent counties.

The funding arrives at a critical moment for the Commonwealth’s heavily strained healthcare system. Proactive mental healthcare is increasingly difficult to access in rural communities, leaving families with few options during a crisis.

“The treatment gap for Kentuckians with mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorders is staggering,” said Rick Wurth, CEO of OneQuest Health. “Currently, 3.4 million Kentuckians live in an area where there is a shortage of mental health providers.”

While the national average sits at one mental health provider for 290 residents*, local rural shortages paint a much starker picture:

·        Carroll County: 1 provider for every 1,360 residents

·        Grant County: 1 provider for every 1,150 residents

·        Owen County: 1 provider for every 2,860 residents

These local shortages force many families to travel long distances for face-to-face care or forgo treatment entirely.

Local educators and emergency departments report a steady increase in young people experiencing acute mental health crises. Across the state, more teenagers are reporting prolonged periods of severe depression and anxiety, leading to a rise in school-based referrals and emergency room visits for self-harm and suicide attempts.

Left untreated, behavioral and substance use disorders limit a child’s development, academic success, and future well-being. However, healthcare experts emphasize that early intervention is highly effective. By expanding local access to telehealth and in-person counseling, this grant aims to help rural youth build emotional wellness, improve their relationships, and transition into healthy adult lives.

OneQuest Health, formerly known as CHNK Behavioral Health, carries a nearly 150-year legacy of evolving to meet the state’s most pressing healthcare challenges. The organization has actively worked to position providers directly within underserved communities, including opening the Griffin Outpatient Center in Williamstown and embedding dedicated school-based services across regional districts.

This rural expansion aligns with OneQuest Health’s accelerating statewide growth, which recently reached the Louisville market. The organization is celebrating the grand opening of its first outpatient mental health office in the Medical Arts Center at 1169 Eastern Parkway on July 8, expanding care access for residents of Jefferson and surrounding counties.

While the WHAS Crusade for Children grant is strictly earmarked to fund therapy and telehealth for youth in the rural Northern Bluegrass counties, OneQuest Health’s expanding safety-net network ensures that low-income, uninsured, or Medicaid-reliant families across the Commonwealth have an easier path to care.

To learn more about regional mental health care availability or to support OneQuest Health’s expansion, visit onequesthealth.org.

*Per County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 9/24/25, 

https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data

WHAS Crusade for Children Awards $23,000 Grant to OneQuest Health for Rural Youth Mental Health Services 

Visit our news archive to catch up on all the latest developments and activities at OneQuest Health that you might have missed the first time around.

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