Lincoln Behavioral cuts jobs, prepares to merge

By William K. Alcorn

YOUNGSTOWN — Lincoln Behavioral Health Care, 800 E. Indianola Ave., is on the verge of merging with a national company and is not closing its doors, said company spokesman Christopher Flak.

There have been about 10 employees laid off, however, and more layoffs are expected because of program changes associated with the proposed merger, said Flak at a press conference Friday. He did not reveal the name of the potential new owner.

The owner and chief executive officer of Lincoln Behavioral, formerly known as Lincoln Place, is Carl Vaccar. The business, located in the former Woodside Receiving Hospital on the city’s South Side, includes a residential facility, a school and other services for troubled youths age 8 to 20 sent there from various Ohio counties.

A telephone call to Vaccar was not returned.

Information from an anonymous Lincoln Behavioral employee, however, says workers were told by Vaccar in meetings this week and last that there will be downsizing. Residential services will be closed but could be regained in the future.

Employees also said Vaccar told them that Lincoln’s funding source will pay only for time actually worked but will not be responsible for personal time, sick time, vacation and holiday pay, and Vaccar won’t pay it.

Further, according to employees, they will not be paid for any personal, sick, vacation or holiday taken after June 23, leading some to fear that the money paid them will be deducted from the paycheck they are scheduled to receive Monday.

Flak, a former Mahoning County deputy sheriff, said that to his knowledge the “payroll is in place” for Monday and the firm’s bills are being paid.

The facility is licensed for 240, but the census is down from about 200 to just over 70, Flak said.

The business is not closing, Flak reiterated. “We are going through a transition, and to keep the company viable, we have layoffs,” he said.

alcorn@vindy.com