Agency Summary

Cowlitz County Guidance Association is a private, non-profit organization with tax-exempt and charitable status under IRS code 501(c)(3). It was founded as a child guidance association by the Longview Junior Service League in 1947, and incorporated in 1953. In 1963, when the Community Mental Health Act was enacted in the State of Washington, the Center enlarged its focus and accepted the role of a comprehensive outpatient community mental health center. With that change came the business name for our publicly-funded services, Lower Columbia Mental Health Center.

A seventeen-member volunteer Board of Directors governs the Center. The Board serves in an advisory capacity and sees as its charge that of: assuring financial stability of the organization, developing the mission of the Center, and establishing policy and procedure to accomplish the mission. The Board employs the Chief Executive Officer, who manages the operations and implements policies and procedures.

The Center has always provided outpatient mental health services.

We currently offer:
• Involuntary Treatment Act Administration
• 24-hour Crisis Response Services by outreach and phone
• Crisis Support Unit, a short-stay residential program designed for sub-acute hospital diversion
• Crisis Respite Services
• Comprehensive Community Support Services
• Therapy
• Case Management
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Employment Services
• Brief Intervention
• Specialized Older Adult Services
• Employee Assistance Plans
• School-based Child and Family Services
• Prevention and Early Intervention Services
• Psycho-education
• Co-occurring Disorders Treatment
• Crisis Intervention Training for law enforcement officers and other first responders
• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
• Cowlitz River Clubhouse, a skill-building day program
• Supported Residential Services

The Southwest Regional Support Network/Prepaid Health Plan (SWRSN/PHP), a department of Cowlitz County, contracts with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services’ Mental Health Division to be a provider of publicly-funded mental health services. The SWRSN/PHP subcontracts with community mental health providers for specific services.

LCMHC contracts with the SWRSN/PHP to provide approximately one-half of the voluntary outpatient services and all involuntary outpatient services to state and federally funded clients. The contract with the SWRSN/PHP is our primary source of income. In addition, we provide services funded by Medicare, United Way of Cowlitz County, private fee and insurances.

As a licensed community mental health center, the Center adheres to the RCW statutes of 71:05, 71:24, 71:34, and 71:36, along with the applicable Washington Administrative Codes (WACs).

In November of 1998, the Cowlitz County Guidance Association introduced a new program in to its array of services. Riverview Psychiatric and Counseling Service was established in response to the changing mental health care environment. Recognizing the need to diversify its base of funding and reduce reliance on dwindling public funds, the Association opened Riverview to court private payers such as insurance provider panels, local employers and individuals searching for specialized services. Riverview was established to further the Association’s mission and support of the community. While maintaining a separate business name, Riverview operates under the corporate umbrella of the Cowlitz County Guidance Association and its nonprofit status. All proceeds from Riverview are reinvested to benefit the community.

Collaborative Efforts

Cowlitz Comprehensive Healthcare ~ A Strategic Health Care Alliance

Law Enforcement~Mental Health Community Improvement Group

Developmental Disabilities~Mental Health Community Improvement Group

Cultural Task Force

Community Safety Staffing

Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Child Psychiatry Coalition

Cowlitz Kin Care Coalition