About BHP

BHP is a private, non-profit behavioral healthcare organization that provides integrated mental health and addiction treatment services for youth, adults, and families. We help individuals and families recover by focusing on each person’s unique needs. We address these needs by offering a full range of services through a comprehensive continuum of care.

Executive Staff

Dr. Kathryn St. James

  • Kate joined BHP as President and CEO in 2016. For the past 20 years she has held leadership positions in the behavioral health field focused on mental health and addiction services. In addition, she has worked as a lobbyist advocating for mental health and addiction providers, clients, and healthy mental health systems.

    Kate graduated from The Ohio State University with her Bachelor’s in psychology. Following graduation and before starting graduate school, she spent two years in Washington, D.C. as a research assistant for a non-profit advocacy organization. Kate returned to Ohio to attend Xavier University, where she received a doctorate in clinical psychology and a master’s certificate in non-profit management through Xavier’s MBA program. She completed her doctoral and post-doctoral training at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

 

Julie Wagar

  • Julie Wagar joined BHP in November 2017. She has over 30 years experience working in mental health, criminal justice, and substance abuse treatment settings. She is a Licensed Social Worker and an independently Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Much of Julie’s work for the last ten years has been with organizations developing programs and providing services to individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, substance use, and mental health concerns.

    Julie is an adjunct faculty member at Columbus State Community College, teaching courses and serving as a faculty liaison for students in the Social and Human Services Department. She currently serves on the SARNCO (Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio) Board and provides specialized training for their volunteers. Julie has a strong interest in the application and use of contemplative practices in recovery and wellness work. Her interest in this area took her to India where she researched the effects of meditation and alternative treatments to women experiencing trauma. Julie enjoys a collaborative approach in working with co workers, community partners, and clients.

 Board of Directors

BHP is pleased to have a committed, active Board of Directors. The Board meets monthly and assists BHP leadership by setting goals and reviewing objectives to meet BHP’s mission and vision.

Board committees include Marketing & Development, Finance, and Ad Hoc. Committees are comprised of Board members, BHP staff, community partners, and volunteers.

If you are interested in becoming a Board member please click on the button below .

  • Executive Committee:
    James Jarc, President
    COTC Professor

    Elycia Taylor, Vice-President
    Columbus State Community College

    Bill Jefferson, Secretary
    Retired

    Sam Thompson, Immediate Past President & Treasure
    Park National Bank

    Members-at-Large:

    Natasha Short
    Energy Cooperative
    Marketing & Development Committee

    Lisa Morse
    Mortgage Broker

    James Jarc
    COTC
    Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and Marketing & Development Committee

    Sam Thompson
    Park National Bank
    Executive Committee and Finance Committee

    Bill Jefferson
    Retired
    Finance Committee

    Marti Kolb
    Retired
    Marketing & Development Committee

    Elycia Taylor
    Columbus State Community
    College
    Executive Committee and Marketing & Development Committee

    Anita Armstrong
    COTC Newark
    Marketing & Development Committee

    Christine Mills
    Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
    Marketing & Development Committee

    Steven Fields
    Columbus Dispatch
    Marketing & Development Committee

  • Executive (Board members only):
    • Compromised of the Board officers
    • Have the interim authority to act on behalf of the full Board
    • Set Board meeting agenda
    • Review special reports and projects
    • Appoint Ad Hoc committees
    • Recruits, recommends for board approval, welcomes and orients new Board members.
    • Coordinates on-going training for all Board members.
    • Recommends annual slate of Board Officers.
    • Conducts annual Board assessment.

    Finance Committee:
    • Recommends and monitors fiscal policy.
    • Reviews statement of finance, position or/and statement of activities at least quarterly.
    • Assists in the development of the annual budget.
    • Meets with auditors to review the annual audit.
    • Oversees facility/capital improvement plan.
    • Reviews organization’s insurance policies.

    Marketing Committee:
    • Ensure Community awareness of and exposure to the organization.
    • Serves as a “think tank” for marketing and communication innovation.
    • Advocates on behalf of the organization.
    • Plans and coordinates annual awards and recognition ceremony.

    Ad Hoc Committees:
    The BHP Board of Directors forms ad hoc committees for a limited period of time to address a specific need. When the work of the ad hoc committee is completed, the committee is dissolved. An ad hoc committee may exist for less than a year or for a year or more depending on the extent of the work assigned to it.

 The History of BHP

Behavioral Healthcare Partners of Central Ohio, Inc. [BHP] was created in 2010 to provide a single organization with the most comprehensive behavioral healthcare services in our community created from a merger between two long-time respected area organizations, BHP builds on a history of service to our community that dates back to 1955. Moundbuilders Guidance Center and The Sheryl L. Kraner, Esq. Youth and Family Behavioral Health Campus were combined in this partnership to improve service to individuals and families in Knox and Licking Counties.

Moundbuilders Guidance Center

Established in 1955 to provide mental health services Moundbuilders Guidance Center, Inc. began as a clinic on Hudson Avenue in Newark, Ohio.  As the demand for service grew the organization relocated several years later to North Fifth Street in Newark.  The organization was headquartered here until 1979.  Again, due to an increased demand for services, it moved to its current location on Messimer Drive in Newark.

In 1969 the organization opened an office in Mount Vernon, Ohio on Blackjack Road to serve the Knox County community.  Due to increased demand for services over the years, this facility has doubled in size.

The organization has been a state-wide leader in providing innovative, effective, and efficient community-based mental health services.

The Sheryl L. Kraner, Esq. Youth and Family Behavioral Health Campus

Also referred to as Kraner Behavioral Health, the program has evolved from an organization well-known since its establishment in 1969; Spencer Half-Way House, Inc.  The property at 69 Granville Street in Newark, Ohio was bequeathed to the Second Presbyterian Church of Newark, Ohio by the Spencer family to be used as a men’s halfway house for the treatment of alcohol addiction.  Spencer House later expanded to include treatment for other drug addictions and to accommodate women as well.

The demand for services at Spencer House and the need for a separate women’s facility spurred a capital campaign in 2005 that raised over a million dollars, making it possible to purchase the house opposite Spencer House.  The house became The Courage House Women’s Recovery.   During the capital campaign, a significant donation was made by the Kraner family in the name of their daughter, Sheryl L. Kraner, and thus the newly formed “campus” was named in her honor.

Behavioral Healthcare Partners of Central Ohio, Inc., Today

Today, the programs from both of these organizations have developed, improved, and evolved into a continuum of services.  The new organization has simplified and improved access to treatment reduced administrative and operational costs and strategically elevated the long-term viability of the organization.

BHP Mission:
To improve and save lives by serving the healthcare needs of those who experience mental illness and/or addiction-related conditions.

BHP Vision:
To be the most trusted, highly effective, and accessible provider of behavioral healthcare services in the region with a unique ability to provide a continuum of integrated cost-effective services addressing a broad spectrum of needs.