River Edge Behavioral Health Expands Services to Six Additional Georgia Counties
Wednesday, September 16th, 2026
River Edge Behavioral Health has been designated by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to serve Baldwin, Hancock, Jasper, Putnam, Washington, and Wilkinson counties following the merger of River Edge with the Oconee Center Community Service Board.
“River Edge is honored to have been selected by DBHDD to serve these communities,” said Cass Hatcher, Executive Director of River Edge Behavioral Health. “Our commitment is to work alongside individuals, families, providers, schools, hospitals, law-enforcement agencies, and local officials to make sure people can access compassionate, effective care close to home.”
The two Community Service Boards officially merged on August 1, 2026, bringing together two organizations with a long history of serving central Georgia. As part of that transition, DBHDD designated River Edge to serve the six counties previously served by Oconee Center, creating a stronger regional safety net provider for behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disability services.
The designation is intended to strengthen the public behavioral health safety net across the region by bringing services under one organization with greater capacity to coordinate care, address service gaps, and support more consistent access to services across county lines. Individuals currently receiving services should experience no interruption in care as River Edge assumes responsibility for the six-county area.
Through this designation, River Edge will work with DBHDD, local leaders, community partners, individuals, and families to ensure residents have access to high-quality, person-centered behavioral health services. River Edge will coordinate a thoughtful transition designed to promote continuity of care, strengthen local relationships, and expand access to needed services throughout the six-county area.
As one of Georgia’s safety net providers, River Edge offers a comprehensive continuum of services for individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability needs. Services may include crisis intervention and stabilization, outpatient treatment, psychiatric services, substance-use treatment and recovery support, supported employment, developmental disability services, supportive housing, and community-based care coordination.
For more information about River Edge Behavioral Health, visit river-edge.org or contact Jen Holbrook, Marketing and Communication Manager,jholbrook@river-edge.org , (478) 803-7707.
