FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2018
MEDIA CONTACT
650-513-1509
development@caminar.org
Nonprofits Caminar and Project Ninety Announce Merger
Partnership Will Expand Capacity for Integrated Behavioral Health Care on the Peninsula
San Mateo, CA – Two nonprofit behavioral health organizations with decades of service to individuals and families on the Peninsula have joined forces. As of June 1, 2018, Caminar and Project Ninety, both headquartered in San Mateo, have merged, making Project Ninety the newest division of Caminar. By bringing together mental health and substance use treatment programs, Caminar and Project Ninety will strengthen support in San Mateo County for individuals in recovery, especially adults with co-occurring disorders.
Caminar and Project Ninety have collaborated for many years to serve local residents with complex behavioral health needs. The new organization has an operating budget of $37 million and more than 450 employees. Caminar, which serves more than 14,000 individuals annually, also has operations in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Solano and Butte counties. As a division of Caminar, Project Ninety will help to advance the organization’s mission: to empower and support individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness and independence.
Caminar has been expanding over the last 18 months through partnerships with established, pioneering behavioral health organizations. In January 2017, Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley, which has been serving children, youth and adults in Santa Clara County since 1948, became a division of Caminar. In May 2018, Caminar acquired Healthy Partnerships, which offers mental health, substance use treatment and DUI programs in Solano County. The addition of Project Ninety continues the organization’s strategy of extending its continuums of care to meet the complex needs of individuals and families.
Jim Stansberry (left) of Project Ninety division, with Caminar COO Karen Gianuario and CEO Charles “Chip” Huggins
“By bringing together Caminar’s and Project Ninety’s expertise and programs, we will enhance care for San Mateo County adults who are living with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders,” said Charles “Chip” Huggins, CEO of Caminar. “Our organizations share a strong belief in recovery and in the importance of empowering people with essential skills and support to advance wellness and recovery.”
“San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services has enjoyed a partnership with both Caminar and Project Ninety for many years to provide behavioral health services to our consumers and families. We are pleased to learn that they will be joining forces to enhance their services and strengthen their work with persons with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders,” said David A. Young, PhD, MPH, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, San Mateo County Health System. “We look forward to our continued relationship with the merged organization in our mutual commitment to serving communities in San Mateo County.”
Through the merger, two members of Project Ninety’s Board of Directors have joined the Board of Directors of Caminar: John M. Bentley Jr. and Ken Koskella. Project Ninety Executive Director Jim Stansberry, who joined the organization in 1989, will assist with the merger transition in a consulting role.
“Project Ninety is looking forward to the joint continuation of services to the community and those in San Mateo and the Bay Area,” said Jim Stansberry.
Project Ninety’s San Mateo County programs are continuing. More information about Caminar’s growing portfolio of programs is available at www.caminar.org.
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About Caminar
Founded in San Mateo, California, in 1964, Caminar serves more than 14,000 individuals annually in San Mateo, Solano, Santa Clara, San Francisco and Butte counties. The nonprofit organization’s portfolio of behavioral health and supportive services empowers and supports individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness, and independence. More information at www.caminar.org.
About Project Ninety
For more than four decades, Project Ninety has served individuals, families and the Bay Area community through its residential alcohol and substance abuse recovery services. The organization operates licensed residential substance abuse treatment programs in San Mateo County. More information at www.projectninety.org.
