1969-1999
Blick Clinic began providing services in 1969.
Judith Blick, parent of two children with disabilities, sought financial support to begin the Clinic which would provide responsive
community services. Ms. & Mr. Donald Cook, who worked with Judith, continued her effort to provide responsive community services.
Blick expands from a monthly to a five day a week operation in 1971 after receiving State funding.
The agency received its first accreditation from the Accreditation Council on Services for People with
Developmental Disabilities and obtained Ohio Department of Mental Health Certification as a Community Mental Health Agency. The Joint
Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) awarded the Clinic its first accreditation.
Clinical services expanded to include Partial Hospitalization, Social Work, Psychology, Psychiatric,
Medical, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech/ Language Therapy, and Physical Therapy in response to increasing population service and
support needs.
Blick moved to the main building at 640 West Market Street in Akron, Ohio and its name was changed to
Blick Clinic, Inc.
Gregory LaForme, Ph.D. served as the Executive Director.
Blick purchased a second building at 682 West Market Street in Akron, Ohio in order to expand services.
In 1984, the deinstitutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities continued. This event
prompted the development and ongoing expansion of the Blick Clinic’s Residential Services Program.
The Fallsview Psychiatric Hospital closed resulting in the need for expansion of community mental health
services. In response, the Clinic developed the Community Support Program Service (now known as Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment). Blick
expanded our residential program to include adults moving from Fallsview.
2000-2010
In 2007 Karin Lopper-Orr, L.I.S.W.-S, became the interim Executive Director.
In 2007, Blick was awarded 3-year accreditation by the International Commission on the Accreditation of
Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF accreditation took the place of earlier accreditations and has been maintained through the present.
Added grant funded services and supports, and expanded school-based consultations.
2011-2020
Blick purchased a third building at 661 W. Market St. in Akron. This building houses our Residential
Administrative Staff.
Blick purchased a fourth building at 2641 W. Market St. in Akron. This building allowed us to expand
our Day Program services as well as vocational/community services.
We started an agency endowment fund at the Akron Community Foundation in 2015 as a way to ensure a
permanent, predictable stream of funding for our clients and mission.
In 2016, Blick Clinic rebranded to The Blick Center with an updated logo and changing the way
individuals “see” the agency. This allowed Blick’s consumers to have a better understanding of the holistic services the agency provides.
In 2017, Blick held its first annual fundraising event – “Blick to the Future,” to help spread awareness of the
mission to the community and raise funds for our endowment.
Added Money Management, Supported Employment, Non-Medical Transportation, and Telehealth to our
service array.
We expanded services in Stark County by opening a North Canton office.
Acquired Vantage Aging staff and clients and began offering substance abuse assessment and treatment,
an Intensive Outpatient Program and Peer Recovery Support Services.
Celebrated 50 years of providing services to individuals, their families, and our community.
2021
Continuing to enhance lives in Summit and surrounding counties.