Our History

Early 1960's 

• Ms. Harriet Cartmell (President, Maysville Planning Commission) meets with Mr. James Sills (Director, Mason County Health Department) to discuss need for MH/MR resources in the Buffalo Trace Area. Appropriate statistics are gathered, needs assessment performed.

1964 

• Kentucky General Assembly passes Community Mental Health Services Act.

1964-66  

• Mason; Bracken and Robertson County citizens meet with representatives from six other Northern Kentucky counties to gather statistics and develop blueprints.

1966 

• Amendment to the Community Mental Health Center Act permits Buffalo Trace counties to form Board. Public meeting held, needs assessed, plans made.

1967  

• Comprehend MH-MR Board is incorporated, appropriate documents drawn, officers elected.

1968 

• Ms. Betsy Burke of Fayette County MH-MR Board helps Comprehend, Inc. develop and submit staffing grant application. 
• First clinic held at the Mason County Health Department, with assistance from Kentucky Department of Mental Health, Eastern State Hospital, local public health personnel, and volunteer workers.

1969  

• Staffing grant approved. 
• Matt Amato was hired as Administrator.
• A facility was rented.
• Donald Tatro, Ph.D. employed as Chief Psychologist and additional personnel employed.

1970 

• Donald Tatro, Ph.D. named first Executive Director. 
• Additional staff employed. 
• Five basic services established. 
• Offices opened in all counties. 
• Medication clinics began operation.

1971  

• Day Care Centers established through 4A funding for developmentally disabled/mentally retarded children.  
• Application submitted for Alcohol Grant.

1972 

• Adult Activity training programs established through Title 16 funds for developmentally  disabled/mentally retarded individuals 16+ years of age. 
• Area Teams organized 
• Amergency service system implemented. 
• Operated first week-long day camp for the developmentally disabled during the summer. 
• New Executive Director (William I. Ivey, MA) hired.

1973  

• Jointly established Interagency Council and Retired Senior Volunteer Program.  
• Purchased vans for the Developmental Disabilities Program. 
• Received permit to operate a Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Program. 
• Employed first speech therapist in area.

1974  

• Received three-year Alcohol Grant. 
• SID Unit facility rented. 
• Established a community youth center to serve adolescent population.

1975  

• Established first Citizen Advocacy Program in the state for developmentally  disabled. 
• Established agreement with the University of Kentucky for placement of psychology and social work interns.

1976  

• Developed regular radio shows. 
• Negotiated contracts with local hospital to provide speech and social work services to their extended care facility. 
• Initiated weekly newspaper articles concerning center services.

1977 

• Received commendation from Department of Health, Education and Welfare for our 24-hour emergency service stemming from a telephone survey conducted earlier in the year. 
• Loss of 8-year NIMH staffing grant resulted in layoff of 40% of center staff. 
• Received overwhelming financial support from local city and county governments resulting in receipt of about $1.35 per capita — highest in the state. 
• Mason County Fiscal Court donated rent-free facilities to house Mason County Offices. 
• Received financial distress grant of approximately $98,000.

1978  

• Purchased and renovated facility to provide non-medical alcohol/drug detox and half-way house services, known as Limestone Alcohol Recovery Center located in Rectorville. Considered to be a model facility in state. 
• New Executive Director (Paul Trussell, MA) hired.

1979  

• Purchased Group Home facility located on West Second Street in Maysville to provide a residence for eight developmentally disabled/mentally retarded adults. 
• Foster Grandparent Program started.

1981  

• Opened Family & Psychological Services offices. 
• Developed community program for the deinstitutionalization of the mentally retarded. 
• Closed Limestone Alcohol Recovery Center and converted to outpatient substance abuse program.

1982 

• Lost Federal Financial Distress Grant.

1983 

• Started the Alternative Intermediate Services for the mentally retarded/developmentally disabled. 
• Purchased facility at 741 Kenton Station Road for Family & Psychological Services offices and Bridgeway Enterprises.

1984  

• New Executive Director (Donna S. Penrose, MPH) hired.

1985  

• Received J.T.P.A. funding to start Kentucky Kandy Kitchen, a candy making business staffed by developmentally disabled/mentally retarded adults. 
• Expanded Partial Hospitalization services to all five counties in the region. Implemented Elderly MR/DD pilot project — only one of its kind in the state. 

1986 

• Received Substance Abuse expansion monies for new program development.  
• Received Case Management grant for Mental Health. 
• Sponsored day-long workshop keynoted by Marie Baiter, subject of the movie "Nobody's Child". 
• Purchased the Robertson County Outpatient/Therapeutic Rehabilitation facility located on Highway 165 in Robertson County.

1987 

• Purchased new facility for regional offices at 611 Forest Avenue, Maysville (formerly Denham Medical Clinic). 
• Received approval from HUD for development of a 30-apartment complex for disabled citizens. 
• Received JTPA funding to start "Another Man's Treasure" thrift store. 
• Also received JTPA funding to implement Supported Employment Program and Teen Parent Program.

1988  

• Received approval from HUD for development of a 30 Apartment Complex in Flemingsburg for disabled citizens — plans halted due to lack of housing need.  
• Received Project Asset Grant. 
• Received funding for Regional Action Group.

1989  

• Purchased new outpatient facility in Flemingsburg located at 610 Elizaville  Avenue. 
• Began construction of HUD 30 Apartment Complex in Maysville to be completed by January, 1990. 
• Received JTPA Job Coach Grant for DSS referred clients. 
• Received JTPA Grant for employment training for DSS referred clients. 
• Received JTPA Grant to provide Teen Parent Program in Lewis County.

1990  

• Purchased the Staffed Residence I facility at 420 East Second Street in Maysville to provide residence for three developmentally disabled/mentally retarded adults. 
• Construction completed for the 30-apartment building complex in Maysville.

1992 

• Purchased the Bracken County Outpatient/Therapeutic Rehabilitation facility in  Brooksville located at 134 Grandview Drive. 
• Purchased facility at 731 Kenton Station Road to house the Mason County Therapeutic Rehabilitation Program, First Steps Program, Regional Prevention offices and Another Man's Treasure Thrift Store.

1996  

• Purchased new facility at 505 Second Street in Vanceburg for the Lewis County Outpatient offices, Lewis County Therapeutic Rehabilitation Program and Lewis County Bridgeway workshop. 
• Started operation of the Thrift Store in Lewis County.

2000 

• Purchased the Staff Residence II facility at 2330 US Hwy 69 to provide a residence for three developmentally disabled/mentally retarded adults. 
• Purchased facility located at 221 Wood Street (formerly Mason Manor) for the Children's Crisis Stabilization Unit.

2001  

• Received grant for School Based Services from the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati.

2002 

• Purchased property next door to 611 Forest Avenue to provide office space for  maintenance staff and a respite facility for developmentally disabled/mentally retarded adults. 
• Partnered with Maysville Housing Authority and Women's Crisis Center for the purpose of providing permanent housing for homeless disabled clients of Comprehend and Women's Crisis Center.

2003  

• Purchased facility at 611 Reynolds Drive in Maysville for the Acute Care Team Program. 
• Received the following grants from the Health of Greater Cincinnati: ACT Team Grant, School Services Coordinator Grant and the Planning for a Drug Free Future Grant.

2004 

• Started the Families in Transition (FIT) Program for divorcing parents with children.

2005 

• Purchased new Group Home facility located at 4011 KY. 10, Maysville to provide a residence to eight developmentally disabled/mentally retarded adults.  
• Sold old facility located on West Second Street, Maysville.

2007  

• Received an Illness Management Grant from the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. 
• Due to budget constraints, closed Fleming County Therapeutic Rehabilitation Program in December and merged with the Mason County Therapeutic Program.

2008  

• Received $100,000 Integrated Care Grant from the Foundation for Healthy Kentucky. 
• AIOP Program moved from Brooksville to Comprehend owned facility located next to Administrative Office on Forest Avenue.  
• Purchased and renovated two warehouse buildings from Sapp Electric located at 610 East Third Street to be used for maintenance. 
• Board member Dwayne "Pie" Jett died. 
• Donna S. Penrose, Executive Director announced retirement effective August 1, 2008. 
• New Executive Director (Pamela M.Vaught, Ph.D.) hired August 1, 2008. 
• Changed Executive Director's title to President/CEO and Administrator to Vice-President of Finance.

2009 

• Created CompTran for the transportation of clients to programs. 
• Increased fleet of company vehicles for employee use. 
• Purchased house on Forest Avenue for POE

2010 

• Remolded Treasure Trunk thrift store. 
• Developed a Supportive Employment Evidence based program from Dartmouth. 
• Added a shuttle bus to CompTran to transport clients to programs.

2011 

• Managed Care began November 1. 
• Purchased new Group Home in Rectorvillle. 
• Opened an Adult Crisis Unit in Maysville. 
• Remodeled Another Man’s Treasure. 
• Recipients of the Balloon Race proceeds. 
• Received $100,000 NIATX grant to further Substance Services. 
• Received $300,000 KY Seed Grant. 
• Regional Prevention Center started the S.T.O.P. Regional Youth Coalition which empowered teens to take a stand against drugs and bullying and to promote mental health. 
• Switched paper filing system to EMR (Electornic Medical Records) system.

2012 

• Opened an Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit.  

2013 

• Combined Mason and Bracken County Therapeutic Rehabilitation programs to offer increased services. 
• Comprehend hosted An Evening of Jazz Gala with Barbara Zweigart and Fathead Davis for Entertainment.

2014  

• Relocated the First Steps Program to E. Second Street. 
• Relocated Administration to 619/621 Forest Avenue to allow for increased clinical services at 611 Forest Ave. 
• Closed the Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit due to lack of reimbursement by MCOs. 
• Combined Robertson TR program with the Mason program. 
• Opened ID/DD residential house in Robertson County. 
• Started the Peer Support Program as another tool to assist clients in their journey in seeking services.  
• Comprehend held the Harriett Hord Cartmell Charity Golf Benefit at Laurel Oaks Golf Club. 
• Comprehend hosted An Evening of Mystery Gala with the late Emmy Award Winner Jay Flippin and Barbara Zweigart for entertainment.

2015 

• Received a grant to continue the Foster Grandparent program from the Cooperation for National and community Service. 
• Kentucky Kandy Kitchen celebrated 30 years of business. 
• Comprehend and the Maysville Younger Women’s Club hosted An Evening of Elegance Gala with the band Superfecta for Entertainment. 
• The Regional Prevent Center received the KidsNow Grant which allowed the expansion of prevention services for expectant mothers and the provision of substance abuse case management for expectant mothers. 

2016  

• March of Dimes Grant to develop a new consortium Safe Beginnings. 
• Awarded a State grant to start a sober living facility. 
• Comprehend joined with the Women’s Crisis Center and provided Maysville with a New Year’s Eve Celebration as a fundraiser which included a Ball Drop and Fireworks. 
• Comprehend hosted Paint the Town Red Gala with the band Superfecta for Entertainment. 
• The Regional Prevention Center received the DJJ Grant for $49,000 which allowed for the expansion of adolescent substance abuse prevention and early intervention programming. 

2017 

• Comprehend received a 3 year accreditation for its Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Prevention program from CARF (Commission on Accreditation of  Rehabilitation Facilities). 
• Comprehend opened the January House – a sober living facility in Fleming County. 
• Comprehend along with two other Community Behavioral companies, contracted with Maysville Community and Technical College to provide counseling services to college students on each of their regional campuses. 
• Began the KSTEP program which is to prevent unnecessary removal of children by providing substance abuse services to parents.
• Demolished the three houses next to 611 Forest Avenue (619 & 621 Forest Avenue and 619 ½ Reynolds Drive
• Comprehend Administration office moved to Moody Drive in preparation of the expansion/addition project. 
• Contracted with Trace Creek Construction to serve as Construction Manager for the new expansion/addition to 611 Forest Avenue. 
• Contracted with architectural firm GRW for the planning and design for the expansion/addition to the main office located at 611 Forest Avenue.

2018 

• Moved 134 Grandview Drive Bracken County office to Bracken County Health Department. 
• Renovated 134 Grandview Drive office into a group home.
• March 29th Held Grand Breaking Ceremony for New Medical Office Building.
• May 28, contractors started removing ground for New Medical Office Building.

2019

• Board of Directors approved the acquisition of Magee’s Bakery.
• New Building construction completed in September.
• October 23, 2019, held Ribbon Cutting for the Harriett Hord Cartmell Medical Building.
• October 28, 2019, held the Ribbon Cutting for Magee’s Bakery in its new location on Market Square Drive.

2020

• Awarded a $300,000 grant by the Kentucky Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities in partnership with the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy to fund the expansion of Treatment and Recovery services for individuals with Opioid Use disorders. Comprehend will utilize the grant dollars to provide a Women’s Sober Living facility, called the Harmony House, in Mason County. 
• Dr. Peter Kambelos resigned from Buffalo Trace Medical Arts in February.
• Dr. Peter Egan began in May as Medical Director and Internist for Buffalo Trace Medical Arts.
• ID/DD Services purchased a new staff residence home.
• Facilities Comprehend received a 3-year accreditation for its Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Prevention program from CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation).  

2021

• Harmony House Sober Living Facility opened and began taking referrals.
• Dr. Pamela Vaught left the position as CEO.
• Don Rogers was hired as Interim CEO.
• Donna Hicks started as CFO in October.
• Joe Gulley was hired as CEO and began in November.
• First Day Forward Program was put into place as a new partnership with Mason County Detention Center.
• January House Sober Living Program ended in November.

2022

• Marta Scott was named the new CCO-IDD effective January 1.
• Primary Care Clinic closed in March.
• Maysville Roller Rink fire created a need for smoke mitigation to the 611 Forest Ave. location.
• June 2, a Grand Re-Opening of the Adult Day Training Program was held after being closed due to COVID.
• Consolidated Magee’s and Kentucky Candy Kitchen into Sweet Creations.
• Harmony House Sober Living Facility closed in August.
• Closed the Washington and Robertson County Residential Homes.
• Melissa Greenwell was named CEO by the Board of Directors and began in November. 
• We were awarded $248,000 for the Substance Expansion Grant to be used for the purchase a mobile unit for outreach.
• The original 611 Forest Ave. building experienced a flood on Christmas Day that shut that part of the building down for approximately 6 months.

2023

• Mitigation and construction were completed for the flood damage caused in 2022. No client services were cancelled after that entire building being shut down for 6 months.
• Closed the Children’s Stabilization Unit.
• Comprehend received a 1-year accreditation for its Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Prevention program from CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities).
• Rod Baker was hired as the COO and began in June. 
• Sold Lewisburg and POE properties. POE staff moved into the 611 building.
• Purchased and launched the RV for mobile outreach for our substance abuse programs.
• Fundraiser raffle (Polaris) raised $10,000.