About Us

Who We Are

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At the Blick Center, we believe in the boundless potential of every individual.

At the Blick Center, we believe in the boundless potential of every individual.

About-Blick

We are dedicated to empowering personal growth, continuous learning, and the pursuit of independence and overall well-being.

With over half a century of commitment to our community, The Blick Center is a steadfast partner for individuals of all ages, offering a comprehensive range of clinical outpatient, residential, day program services, and invaluable support. We aim to uplift those facing developmental disabilities, behavioral health challenges, and related conditions, providing the necessary services, support, and resources to unlock their full potential.

Our Mission Is To Enhance Lives

Our Core Values

Build-Better

Building Better Lives with

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Integrity

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles to choose to do the right thing even when no one is watching.

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Commitment

The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause or activity and staying loyal to the work at hand.

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Kindess

The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate to the people we serve and those we work with day to day.

The Blick Center provides services to 2,113 individuals across five locations, with 16 residential homes and a dedicated team of 203 employees.

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Employee Training

The Blick Center takes great pride in our dedication to employee development and well-being. We invest significantly in our in-house training programs, leveraging the versatile online LMS, Relias Learning. Our comprehensive training curriculum covers essential requirements mandated by authorities such as the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services, CARF accreditation, and various boards overseeing our clinical staff. The best part? Most of these vital training resources are available free of charge through the Relias Learning platform.

Employee-Training-Icon

Employee Training

The Blick Center takes great pride in our dedication to employee development and well-being. We invest significantly in our in-house training programs, leveraging the versatile online LMS, Relias Learning. Our comprehensive training curriculum covers essential requirements mandated by authorities such as the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services, CARF accreditation, and various boards overseeing our clinical staff. The best part? Most of these vital training resources are available free of charge through the Relias Learning platform.

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Employee Enrichment

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Employee Enrichment

At The Blick Center, we prioritize creating a safe and prepared workplace, which is why we provide our employees with in-house First Aid and CPR training. This commitment to safety extends to our clinicians, who need Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for their license renewal.

We offer a wide array of online CEU options through Relias, ensuring their professional growth and expertise. Furthermore, we enhance employee enrichment through various training classes, including engaging lunch and learn sessions, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

At The Blick Center, we prioritize creating a safe and prepared workplace, which is why we provide our employees with in-house First Aid and CPR training. This commitment to safety extends to our clinicians, who need Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for their license renewal.

Employee-Enrichment

We offer a wide array of online CEU options through Relias, ensuring their professional growth and expertise. Furthermore, we enhance employee enrichment through various training classes, including engaging lunch and learn sessions, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Our History

1969
Blick Clinic began providing services in 1969.
1969
Judith Blick, parent of two children with disabilities, sought financial support to begin the Clinic which would provide responsive community services. Ms. & Mr. Donald Cook, who worked with Judith, continued her effort to provide responsive community services.
1969
Ms. & Mr. Donald Cook, who worked with Judith, continued her effort to provide responsive community services
1971
Blick expands from a monthly to a five day a week operation in 1971 after receiving State funding.
1979-1984
Mr. Steven Eidelman served as the Executive Director and established a foundation for continued growth
1979-1984
Blick received its first accreditation from the Accreditation Council on Services for People with Developmental Disabilities and obtained Ohio Department of Mental Health Certification as a Community Mental Health Agency.
1979-1984
The Clinic developed a Partial Hospitalization Service Day Program
1979-1984
Clinical services expanded to include Social Work, Psychology, Psychiatric, Medical, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech/ Language Therapy, and Physical Therapy in response to increasing population service and support needs.
1979-1984
Services became available to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout their entire life span
1979-1984
Blick moved to the main building at 640 West Market Street in Akron, Ohio and its name was changed to Blick Clinic, Inc.
1984 to early 2003
Gregory LaForme, Ph.D. served as the Executive Director
1984 to early 2003
The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) awarded the Clinic its first JCAHO accreditation.
1984 to early 2003
Blick purchased a second building at 682 West Market Street.
1984
The deinstitutionalization of individuals with mental retardation began. This event prompted the development and ongoing expansion of the Blick Clinic’s Residential Services Program.
1984 to early 2003
Clinical services grew to include the development of school-based consultations.
1984 to early 2003
The Fallsview Psychiatric Hospital closed resulting in the need for expansion of community mental health services. In response, the Clinic developed the Community Support Program Service (now known as Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment).
1984 to early 2003
The Clinic began providing other new services including Help-Me-Grow, Payeeship, Day Activities, Extended Care and Alternative Education Programs in response to increasing community needs.
April 2003 through August 2004
Blick expanded its service portfolio to include Children Who Witness Violence, Children’s Trust Fund, and Summit County Juvenile Court Forensic evaluation and treatment services.
April 2003 through August 2004
The number of school system contracts also increased.
2006
In September Karin Lopper-Orr, LISW, became the interim Executive Director and in February 2007 was offered and accepted the position of Executive Director
2007
In 2007, Blick was awarded 3-year accreditation by the International Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
2006-2007
The Residential Service Program continue to expand and was awarded a new contract from the County of Board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities to provide Temporary Emergency Respite Services (TERS).
2008
The Residential Services Program continued to expand, providing care to ninety-four (94) individuals with group home services.
2008
Added grant funded services and supports
2009
The Day Programs (Alternative Education, Partial Hospitalization, and Extended Day Treatment) expanded. Blick expanded its campus by renting space for our Residential Services Program administrative staff at 611 W Market Street.
2010
Blick was again awarded 3-year accreditation by the International Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
2011-2013
Blick purchased a third building at 661 W. Market St. in Akron. This building houses our Residential Services Administrative Staff and Partial Hospitalization Program.
2011-2013
Blick was awarded the 3-year accreditation by the International Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Blick continues to expand in its Foster Care program and as well as its Residential Services acquiring new homes for their residential clients.
2014-2017
Blick purchased a fourth building at 2641 W. Market St. in Akron. This building allowed us to expand our Day Program services as well as vocational/community services.
2016
The Blick Clinic rebranded our name to The Blick Center, still DBA The Blick Clinic, Inc., updating our current logo and changing the way individuals “see” our agency. We were never a “medical clinic” and that’s how some people perceived what we were.
2015
Established Blick Center Endowment Fund thru Akron Community Foundation
2018-2020
Added Money Management to our service array
2018-2020
Added Supported Employment to our Day Programs
2018-2020
We expanded services in Stark County by opening a North Canton office.
2018-2020
Acquired Vantage Aging staff and clients and began offering substance abuse assessment and treatment, an Intensive Outpatient Program and Peer Recovery Support Services to Older Adults.
2018-2020
Remained open and provided services during COVID-19 State of Ohio’s Emergency Order as an essential workplace.
2018-2020
Implemented telehealth service.
2018-2020
Celebrated 50 years of providing services to individuals, their families, and our community.
2021-2022
Established COVID-19 protocols to safely enable continuation of services to new and existing individuals.
2021-2022
Blick held a successful virtual Blick Tie Affair
2021-2022
Awarded a SAMSHA Systems of Care grant allowing Blick to collaborate with StarkMHAR and Stark DD to provide co-located services to youth. The grant funds a full-time counselor/case manager and family support specialist
2021-2022
Blick began providing school based mental health services in Stark County and has dedicated one clinical staff full time to Jackson High School.
2021-2022
Awarded 3-year CARF accreditation. CARF identified demonstrated strengths in the welcoming culture and dedication of Blick staff, their creativity for ensuring that the needs of clients are met within the organization and through the utilization of community resources with sensitivity to cultural diversity, complementary approaches and individual preferences, and passionate and compassionate care for clients and one another. There was strong evidence of teamwork, mutual respect, cooperation, and open communication throughout the organization. Clients reported feeling treated with dignity and respect and expressed credit to Blick programs for improving and saving their lives. Parents reported being so grateful for Blick programs and the wonderful care the programs provide to their children
2023
Karin Lopper- Orr retired as Executive Director and Laura Pletcher was named the new Executive Director.
2023
Services in Stark County have continued to expand. Blick will have 3 full time clinical staff providing services to Jackson Schools.