The new year will bring new management to the county’s Mental Health Association.

Southwestern PA Human Services, headquartered in Charleroi, Washington County, will take over management of the organization, beginning Jan. 1.

The Mental Health Association, more than 55 years old, provides services and advocacy on behalf of hundreds of county residents with mental health illnesses.

Following the retirement of longtime executive director Pam Grabe on Feb. 15, the organization made a pitch to merge with the Beaver County Mental Health Association.

The Beaver organization voted against the merger, but has ever since provided the management for the Butler Group.

Gwilym Price, a member of the Butler association’s board, said the management provided by the Butler group, led by executive director Joe Cook, was exemplary and helped ease the transition after Grabe’s retirement. However, the Butler organization was looking for a permanent management team to lead it into the future.

“SPHS has a long history as a health and human services integrator and innovator,” said Claire Schmieler, president of the MHA board of directors.

SPHS currently provides administrative support and consolidated management services to a group of nine nonprofit agencies that serve more than 50,000 people annually.

SPHS will provide management and executive leadership and be responsible for funding streams, programming, record keeping, personnel management and information technology.

“We’re excited by this opportunity and proud to be associated with such a respected and established Butler County institution,” said Jeff Burks Mascara, SPHS executive vice president and CEO.