CHC welcomes you to an exciting 2026!



I want to welcome you to our updated newsletter service that will provide quarterly updates on programs, services, and ways that you can become more involved with the agency. Our hope is that you had a great holiday season!

This past July, I was humbled to be chosen as the new CEO of CHC, an agency I have respected for a long time. With an incredible and dedicated staff, we move into 2026 with ideas, plans, action steps, and goals to continue the fantastic patient care that CHC is known for.

Janet Wagner retired after over 40 years of outstanding service to the agency, including as the most recent CEO. During her time at CHC, Janet challenged the agency to provide the best patient care, develop new programs and services, and seek improvements to its physical properties. That culminated in the purchase, renovation, and opening of the 745 E. Market St. location in Akron. This space adds to our Market St. corridor of services so that patients can receive integrated care within a small campus. We thank Janet for her leadership! In her honor, the 745 E. Market St. location is recognized as the Janet Wagner Behavioral Health Center.

Since 2000, CHC has delivered some level of primary health care to its patients. Initially located at 702 E. Market St., primary care is essential to the recovery efforts of those struggling with addiction and mental health challenges. To enhance our integrated care model, CHC has opted to seek Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike (FQHC LAL) certification. With the assistance of Burrow’s Consulting, the agency has been involved in six months of information-gathering and preparedness work and will submit an application for consideration to the federal government’s Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) early in 2026. This certification assists CHC in expanding access to primary care for underserved areas, offers enhanced Medicare/Medicaid rates, and provides support for other crucial and needed services. Having enhanced primary care on campus will mean that patients can receive integrated physical and behavioral health services from a single location. This eliminates barriers such as transportation, seeking services from multiple providers at multiple locations, and working with professionals who understand the needs of those with mental health and addiction challenges.

Significant renovations have also taken place at Touchstone, CHC’s Women’s Residential Treatment Center. With the move of administrative offices to the new 745 E. Market St. location, space became available at Touchstone for additional treatment beds. This well-respected Women’s Residential Treatment Center, located at 838 Coburn St. in Akron, also allows women to bring up to two children (up to the age of five) with them while they are in treatment. An on-site daycare allows moms to focus on treatment during the day and continue to be moms. One of only a few similar programs in Ohio, this is supported by the MOMs (Maternal Opiate Medical Services) program, which assists with needed baby supplies such as diapers, wipes, cribs, and pack-and-plays. Tours are available!

These are just a couple of the exciting advances that CHC has made. As we move into 2026, we continue to place patient care—delivered by a great staff—at the forefront of what we do at CHC.

Thank you for your continued support of CHC through volunteering, encouragement, and sharing your resources.

With blessed gratitude,

Keith Hochadel

CEO

Your First Step to Recovery: Inside CHC’s Intake Process

At the Community Health Center (CHC), our Clinical Intake Team is dedicated to welcoming and supporting new patients from their first point of contact. New patients are seen on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to ensure timely and accessible care.

Patients should bring a form of ID, proof of income (if applicable), and any insurance cards. For those without insurance who may be eligible for Medicaid, CHC provides on-site assistance through the Department of Job and Family Services to help determine eligibility and begin the enrollment process.

Following a financial assessment, patients meet with a clinical provider for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment focused on substance use, mental health, and determining other essential needs such as housing, transportation, and food security. Based on this assessment, appropriate next steps are scheduled, which may include counseling, medication-assisted treatment, psychiatry, groups therapy, residential services, and/or case management and peer support.



Our goal at CHC is to ensure that every new patient leaves their intake experience feeling cared for, supported, and hopeful as they begin their journey toward recovery.