Agency set to take over Oakwood known for good reputation

The agency that runs Eastern State Hospital will soon take over the troubled Communities at Oakwood, a facility in central Kentucky that serves adults who are mentally disabled.

The Bluegrass Regional Mental Health-Mental Retardation Board will run Oakwood, starting Nov. 1, 2006, at a cost of about $56 million a year.

Bluegrass, the state's largest regional mental-health agency, already serves about $30,000 mental-health clients in a 17-county region. It took over Eastern State in 1995 from the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Bluegrass has a history of being creative, flexible and willing to listen to advocates and families