Albertina Kerr and Children's Developmental Health Institute Combine

Albertina Kerr and the Children’s Developmental Health Institute (Children’s) have officially combined organizations as of October 1, 2013. The partnership between the organizations will provide for additional capacity to serve children and families currently served by Albertina Kerr as well as increased capacity to serve others in  need in the community. The strategic partnership will also provide stability to ensure that much needed vital services will continue to be provided to children, adults and families currently served by Children’s.   “Together, the organizations will be better poised to fully engage in the changing healthcare environment – better meeting both the physical and behavioral health needs of the most vulnerable children in our community, improving the quality of care, and gaining cost-efficiencies through economy of scale,” said Chris Krenk, CEO of Albertina Kerr.   About the Children’s Developmental Health Institute Founded as the Portland Hearing and Speech Institute in 1927, Children’s has evolved into a unique community resource that specializes in team-based developmental care focusing on diagnosis and treatment of  developmental delays and disabilities as well as providing hearing health services to adults and children. Developmental/behavioral pediatrics provides evaluation and ongoing case management for children with communication and developmental delays, ADHD, behavior issues, autism, and other issues affecting the ability to relate effectively with their family and the environment. Additional rehabilitation services include speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, pediatric and adult audiology, clinical psychology, and counseling. In 2012 approximately 2,015 children and their families were served as well as 686 adults with hearing health needs. Children’s annual operating budget is $3.9 million and they employ 20 professional staff. Children’s, also formerly known as the Artz Center, includes the Children’s Developmental Health Institute and the Hearing Institute, and is located at 1675 SW Marlow.   About Albertina Kerr Since 1907, Albertina Kerr has been strengthening Oregon families and communities. Today, Kerr provides a wide range of services to children, adults and families with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. Albertina Kerr serves people from throughout Oregon and is located in the Eugene-Springfield, Corvallis-Albany, Salem and Portland metropolitan areas. Professional expertise includes child psychiatry, pediatric, adult and psychiatric nursing, clinical social work, professional counseling, skill training, behavior management, foster care recruiting and training, employment development and residential support for adults with developmental disabilities. Kerr employs 839 professionals, has 750 enthusiastic volunteers and an annual operating budget of approximately $44 million.