Jerome Golden Center for Behavioral Health 2.94

Created with contributions from our community's private sector and with government financing arranged by our former Congressman Paul G. Rogers, the Jerome Golden Center for Behavioral Health – considered a state-of-the-art facility – opened its doors in September 1970. Some of the original founders were Ed Eissey, PhD, Vivian Rubinger, Jon Moyle, Esq., and Dr. Carl Brumback, all pillars of the community who’s vision was “to treat mental health problems and returning patients to the community where they can function comfortably in the family and community.” During the late 70s to the early 80s, in response to the movement from institutional to community-based mental health care and the needs of a growing number of young adult chronic patients – the largest mass of homeless in the nation since 1920, many new programs were created under the auspices of the Center. With the Center’s growth came the Center’s name changes eg. 45th Street Mental Health Center and Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches.

In 2011, the Center was given a generous gift by long-time supporter, Jerome Golden. The Center was renamed “The Jerome Golden Center for Behavioral Health.”

The Center has a 46-year-old, well-established and highly refined infrastructure, which uniquely positions it to provide quality behavioral healthcare services. Based on decades of experience implementing best practices and evidence-based programs, the Center provides comprehensive coordinated services always understanding the latest developments in the field and finding a way to implement them. The CEO serves on numerous State and National Board as well as a Joint Commission Advisory Committee and the CMO is a CMS Surveyor. The integration of these efforts, combined with well-developed Quality Management and Performance Improvement programs ensure comprehensive and efficient programs. In essence, the Center is dedicated to providing care to this vulnerable population, because it understands the profound positive impact that it will have on the lives of these most fragile consumers and their families who deserve every chance to build a life that reaches their highest potential.

Eighty-two percent of clients have an income under $10,000, so the focus is on serving individuals who otherwise would not have access to treatment due to inability to pay. The Center does not refuse services based on the individual’s ability to pay.

The Center provides the right service at the right time in the right moment. This could mean going to someone’s home at 4:00 am to help a family cope with their teenager’s suicide or spending Sunday afternoon with a veteran suffering from PTSD.