Yellowstone Behavioral Health, one of the main providers of mental health services in Park County, is joining with similar institutions in Big Horn and Washakie counties to form a new organization that is expected to enhance area services.

YBH Executive Director Becky Ransom spoke to Park County commissioners on Feb. 6 about the formation of Oxbow Center, which combines the Park County organization in Powell and Cody with Cloud Peak Counseling Services in Worland and Big Horn County Counseling Services in Lovell and Basin.

“Oxbow is going to serve all three counties,” she said. “There will be no changes in existing services to county residents. Actually we're going to be enhancing services and increasing services, which is one of the benefits of this merger.”

Oxbow Center will continue providing residents with access to counseling services, crisis care, residential options and psychiatric medication management, and, according to the announcement, will strive to fill any current gaps in services with new and enhanced programs. 

Oxbow Center will continue to offer sliding scale pricing. The organization relies on state provided support, grants and private donations.

Oxbow Center will be led by CEO Mary Johnson (former CEO of Cloud Peak Counseling Center), Dey Lynn Stebner as chief program officer (former Big Horn Basin Counseling Services executive director), and Rarsom as chief financial officer. 

“I’m very excited about the challenges ahead,” Ransom said.

Ransom said the merger is to be finalized April 1.

Yellowstone Behavioral also helps the Park County Sheriff’s Office with Title 25 evaluations, which are assessments conducted on individuals who may be at risk for suicide or homicidal intent.