Quarterly Report Volume 2 - Flipbook - Page 6
Chairman Bennett Retires
In recognition of extraordinary service and leadership, the Board of Directors of River Edge Community Service Board honored
Mr. Ray A. Bennett. On June 30, 2022, Mr. Bennett completed 17 consecutive years as chair of the River Edge Behavioral Health
governing board.
During his tenure, River Edge operating revenues have grown from $9M to $53M+ annually, delivering more than $153M in
economic development impact to the central Georgia region each year.
Throughout Mr. Bennett’s chairmanship, River Edge has opened and sustained many new service lines:
2003: “Training for Success” for individuals with behaviors too dangerous to participate in traditional community services
and previously hospitalized long-term in state hospitals
2003: Family violence services
2003: On-site services at Bibb Law Enforcement Center
2006: Core outpatient services in Baldwin County
2007: Mental health court services
2010: Georgia’s most intensive crisis stabilization services for youth ages 5-14
2010: Billingslea house 21 bed residential treatment facility for men seeking recovery from substance use disorders
2010: Co-located behavioral health and primary care services
2010: Assertive community treatment
2011: Mobile crisis, in-home supports and crisis homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
residing in 33 counties of east central Georgia
2011: Onsite mental health assessment and disposition facilitation services in the emergency department of the facility now
known as Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin
2012: Baldwin Crisis Service Center
2012: Onsite mental health services in area schools begins and continues expanding to additional schools through 2022
2013 Expanded supported employment and intensive case management
2014: Internal telemedicine network
2016: InTUNE first episode psychosis services for teens and young adults
2017: Core outpatient services in Fulton County
2018: Medication assisted treatment for opioid dependence
2018: Addiction Recovery Support Center, Macon Recovers
2019: Supported education and employment services
2022: Selected as one of two Certified Behavioral Health Clinics in Georgia
During Mr. Bennett’s chairmanship, River Edge supportive housing offerings grew to make River Edge Georgia’s largest Shelter
Plus Care provider for persons formerly homeless due to mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Also, River Edge has
expanded to serve residents of Baldwin, Crawford, Fulton, Houston, Peach, Putnam, and Wilkinson counties.
Mr. Bennett’s vision contributed to the formation of River Edge Foundation that has created the following community assets:
81 units of permanent supportive housing
a residential treatment facility with capacity to serve up to 21 women seeking recovery from substance use disorder and up
to 40 of their children at a time. The facility includes a commercial kitchen through which all River Edge locations are
supported
6 state of the art community residential alternative homes to support individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities
a state of the art crisis stabilization facility with 30 beds for adults, 16 beds for youth and an outpatient crisis service center
raised $8,302,565.83 from private philanthropy and other sources since the Board of Trustees began fundraising efforts
During Mr. Bennett’s Chairmanship, River Edge has won numerous international, national and state awards.
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