About Us

               CIRC's Mission Statement

It is the mission of  the Crisis Intervention and Recovery Center, Inc., to provide person-centered crisis intervention, stabilization, and recovery-based services in the least restrictive environment feasible, and to respond to evolving community mental health and  chemical dependency programming needs by developing and providing needed services.

Crisis Intervention & Recovery Center History

“At a Glance”

January 1970                

• Crisis Prevention Committee of the Stark County Mental Health Association met to discuss extensive research conducted by Mrs. Sheila Fisher.

 March 1970

• Suicide Prevention & Crisis Help Service was organized.
• Herbert Heine was hired as Director.
• Membership Drive was begun to recruit volunteers to answer the crisis lines.
• Secured a space at Aultman Hospital and phone lines were installed.
• Volunteers trained.

 June 1970

• Funding for the agency was provided by passing of Ohio House Bill 648.  The budget for the center was initially $18,000 and approved for $22,000 for FY70 (7/70-6/71) through the Stark County Mental Health Board (648 Board).
• Center opened June 1970.

 December, 1972

• Discussions began for an outreach program.

 May, 1975

• Walk-in center was proposed to the 648 Board.

 January, 1976

• Walk-in center was approved by the 648 Board.

 September, 1976

• Walk-in center opened when the Crisis Center moved to 1341 North Market Street and officially became the Crisis Intervention Center of Stark County.

June, 1976

• Funding increased to include: 

                  -     24/7 psychiatric emergency program

                  -     Availability of 4 psychiatrists for consultation

                  -     On-site psychiatric treatment

                  -     Part-time Medical Services Director (Dr. Omar Elazar).

 June, 1977

• Funding increased to include:

-          Full time:  psychiatric nurse, director, bookkeeper, secretary, 4 counselors

-          Part time:  7 counselors, Volunteer Coordinator 

October, 1977

• The agency incorporated.

January, 1983

• Moved to 2421 – 13^th Street N.W., Canton (occupying the first level).

 January, 1991

• Agency purchased the building.

 1992

• Expanded its services to provide a stabilization unit which consisted of 4 beds.

 February, 1994

• Huge renovation project of both floors
• Crisis Stabilization Unit began operation:  14 beds for adults, 2 beds for detox clients, 12 beds for psychiatric clients, and a kids unit where children and adolescents were able to stay and receive treatment.

 March, 1995

• Due to budget constraint, the kids unit was closed.

1998

• MST (Multi-systemic Treatment) Program was started.

 April, 2004

• Foundations, a client operated agency came under the umbrella of the Crisis Center.

 July, 2004

• ACTT (Assertive Community Treatment Team) became a program of the Crisis Center.

 August 5, 2005

• Nova Behavioral Health Center closed.

 August 8, 2005

• Recovery Center opened for business with the following programs:  SAMI, Mental Health Track, Forensic, and A.I.R.R.

 December, 2005

• Official name change to Crisis Intervention & Recovery Center, Inc.

  January, 2006

• Formalized the purchase of the building.
• Major renovations.

March - April, 2006

• Administration, Clinical, ACTT and MST moved into the McKinley Avenue building.

 May, 2006

• Open House

 January, 2007

• Foundations became independent.