YOUNGSTOWN — COMPASS Family and Community Services and Community Corrections Association, two longtime area nonprofit organizations, are merging to better meet the evolving needs of both organizations’ clients, constituencies and communities, the organizations stated in a news release.

Both will continue to operate under their current names and will continue to operate at their separate facilities. But they will reorganize and merge under an umbrella organization. There are no plans to change any programs or services offered at either organization. There are no plans to reduce staff or services, the release states.

On June 12, the two organizations voted unanimously to “legally reorganize for the purpose of operating the agencies as subsidiaries under a single parent organization,” and a new board will be created, the release states. The name of the single parent organization will be announced by Oct. 1.

“Merging under this structure means COMPASS and CCA continue to operate under their current names,” said Joe Caruso, CEO and president of COMPASS. “But, we now share the strength and capacity that comes with being part of a larger organization.”

“COMPASS and CCA have a long history of successful collaboration,” said Dave Stillwagon, chief executive officer of CCA. “So, we have experience that has demonstrated that greater alignment will lead to greater community outcomes.”

COMPASS, founded in 1908, provides programs to care for people from infancy through their senior years, including integrated behavioral health and social services, the release states.

CCA, founded in 1974, provides local alternative sentencing solutions for adults in the criminal justice system.

Stillwagon will remain chief executive officer of CCA and will assume the role of CEO of COMPASS from June 28 through Oct. 1. Stillwagon will additionally assume the role of CEO of the parent organization following the completion of the reorganization in October, the release states.

Caruso, who in September 2024 initiated the discovery process leading to the decision to combine the organizations under a single legal entity, will play an advisory role in the transition, the release states. Caruso will be transitioning to the role of chief executive officer of the Mahoning Valley’s new Mercy Health Behavioral Hospital, a joint venture of Mercy Health and Lifepoint Health on Belmont Avenue in Liberty Township.

“Our services have evolved over the years to reflect changes in societal issues, ” stated Laura Weymer, chair of the COMPASS board. “Our decision to align our efforts under a single entity was driven by our careful consideration of the best interests of the Mahoning Valley.”

Shannon Tirone, CCA board chair, says of the decision by CCA’s board, “We recognized the inner-connectedness of many of the issues facing not only our clients but our community. As our clients re-enter the community, workforce development and the availability of behavioral health services become paramount.”

COMPASS services provided throughout the Mahoning Valley include behavioral health residential and outpatient services, social services of Sojourner House domestic violence services, rape crisis and counseling, senior guardianship, permanent supportive housing as well as workforce development.

CCA serves the tricounty area, including residential state and federal halfway houses, a community-based correctional facility, day reporting, electronically monitored house arrest, probation services and behavioral health services for justice-involved individuals.