What Lifeways does

Lifeways, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit behavioral health services organization headquartered in Ontario, Oregon, founded in 1964 as Malheur County Mental Health and privatized under its current name in 1997. The organization operates as the designated Community Mental Health Provider (CMHP) for Malheur County and delivers a full continuum of mental health, substance use disorder, and intellectual/developmental disability services across three counties in two states: Malheur County (OR), Umatilla County (OR), and Ada County (Boise, ID). Its service portfolio spans outpatient counseling, medication management, 24/7 mobile crisis response, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Early Assessment Support Alliance (EASA), forensic case management, intensive outpatient programs, and three residential facilities totaling 62 beds — a 16-bed psychiatric hospital in Boise, a 30-bed Level 3.1 substance use recovery center in Ontario, and a 16-bed Secured Residential Treatment Facility (SRTF, McNary Place) in Umatilla for PSRB-supervised clients.

The organization's technology footprint consists of commodity healthcare IT — Electronic Health Records, a client portal, and telehealth capabilities — with no documented AI/ML or proprietary technology investments. It employs over 250 clinical, residential, and administrative staff, up from 30 in 1997. Revenue is generated through a mix of county government contracts (Malheur County CMHP designation, PSRB forensic contracts), Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement across a broad payer panel (Aetna, Blue Cross of Idaho, Cigna, Humana, Magellan, Molina, Pacific Source, Regence, United Healthcare), sliding-fee client payments, and 501(c)(3) donations. GTM motion is sales-led via institutional referral relationships with schools, courts, law enforcement, DHS, and healthcare providers; the organization also accepts self-referrals and walk-ins, and conducts community-based prevention outreach.

Lifeways is led by CEO Steve Jensen (promoted from CFO in 2022) with CFO Barry Borger, CNO Kiersten Hogg, and Clinical Operations Officer Ron Van Ausdal. Recent expansion activity includes the April 2025 opening of the Lifeways Youth Center (dedicated pediatric services) and the Lifeways Drop-In Center (harm-reduction hub), both in Ontario, signaling continued investment in service-line depth rather than transformational scale. A data security incident notification appears on the company's website, though specific scope and remediation details are not disclosed in the available sources.

Name

Lifeways

Legal name

Lifeways, Inc.

Website

https://lifeways.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Lifeways is a 501(c)(3) non-profit behavioral health provider operating as the designated Community Mental Health Provider for Malheur County, Oregon, delivering mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services across Oregon and Idaho via 250+ staff and 62 residential beds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Behavioral Health Services

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Substance Use Prevention & Recovery Lifestyle Education (Non-clinical) (EDAAAHAL), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Community mental health
• Substance use treatment
• Behavioral health services
• Residential psychiatric care
• Developmental disability services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ontario

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: State and county government contracts as the County's Community Mental Health Provider (CMHP), providing mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities services under government-funded programs.
2. Insurance Reimbursement: Revenue from insurance payers including Aetna, Blue Cross of Idaho, Cigna, Humana, Magellan of Idaho, Molina Medicare, Medicare Part A, Pacific Source, Regence, United Healthcare, and others for covered behavioral health services.
3. Sliding Fee Scale Services: Client fees based on a sliding fee scale determined by family size and income. Organization states 'No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay.'
4. Donations and Grants: Donations from individuals and organizations to support programs beyond what government contracts cover. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Lifeways is a non-profit community behavioral health provider delivering outpatient mental health counseling, outpatient addiction treatment, intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) services, crisis intervention, and residential/inpatient psychiatric care. Services are delivered across Oregon (Malheur and Umatilla Counties) and Idaho (Ada County/Boise) through outpatient clinics, a 16-bed psychiatric hospital, a 30-bed residential recovery center, a 16-bed secure residential treatment facility, mobile crisis teams, and community-based programs.

Product overview

Lifeways is a comprehensive behavioral health services organization offering a multi-tiered portfolio of mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services. The core offerings span six major service lines: Substance Use and Addiction Services, Child and Adolescent Services, Adult Services, Medication Management and MAT, Crisis and Intensive Services, and Residential and Psychiatric Hospitalization. Residential care includes the Lifeways Psychiatric Hospital (16-bed acute care in Boise, Idaho), Lifeways Recovery Center (30-bed Level 3.1 residential in Ontario, Oregon), and McNary Place (16-bed Secured Residential Treatment Facility in Umatilla, Oregon). Specialized programs include an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Boise, a Youth Center for children's mental health and substance use treatment, and a Drop-In Center for peer support. Substance use services encompass DUII treatment, gambling treatment, harm reduction, prevention services, and certified recovery mentors. Crisis services include 24-hour mobile crisis response, Assertive Community Treatment, and EASA for early psychosis. The organization operates as a non-profit that began in 1964 and has grown to over 250 employees across Oregon and Idaho.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lifeways Psychiatric Hospital: A 16-bed psychiatric acute care hospital located in Boise, Idaho providing treatment for psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders.
• Lifeways Recovery Center (LRC)
• McNary Place
• Lifeways Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Stepping Stones Intensive Outpatient Program
• Lifeways Youth Center
• Lifeways Ontario Drop-In Center

Products and services

• Substance Use and Addiction Services Comprehensive behavioral health services addressing substance use concerns through evidence-based approaches including individual and group counseling, case management, and specialized treatment tracks for DUII, gambling, domestic violence, and harm reduction.
• Lifeways Psychiatric Hospital A 16-bed psychiatric acute care hospital in Boise, Idaho treating severe mental illnesses including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders through medication management, psychotherapy, individual and group therapy, skills training, activity therapy, and community reintegration support.
• Lifeways Recovery Center (LRC) A Level 3.1 co-ed residential substance use treatment program in Ontario, Oregon with 30 residential beds (17 men, 13 women). Provides person-centered treatment with minimum 90-day stays using evidence-based practices including Seeking Safety, Moral Reconation Therapy, Living in Balance, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
• McNary Place A 16-bed Secured Residential Treatment Facility (SRTF) in Umatilla, Oregon serving individuals diagnosed with severe persistent mental illness under the supervision of the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB). Provides high-level support and supervision to promote community safety and reintegration.
• Child and Adolescent Services Mental health and behavioral services for children and adolescents including individual and family counseling, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, medication management, peer services, skills training, WRAP Systems of Care, Intensive In-Home Behavioral Health Treatment, and Intellectual Developmental Care Coordination.
• Adult Services Behavioral health services for adults including individual and family counseling, treatment and support groups, community health worker services, peer services, skills training, supported employment and education, medication management, care coordination, and program housing.
• Medication Management and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Medication management services by licensed mental health providers for all aspects of mental health across age groups. MAT combines medication with counseling and behavioral therapy for opioid use disorder treatment. Long-acting injectable medications (LAI) are also offered.
• Crisis and Intensive Services Crisis intervention and intensive support services including 24-hour community-based mobile crisis response, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Early Assessment Support Alliance (EASA) for psychosis, forensics case management, and supported employment.
• Lifeways Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) A specialized intensive outpatient program in Boise, Idaho for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Offers individual counseling, medication management, and group classes including DBT skill-building, processing, and education. Groups held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:00-4:00 pm.
• Lifeways Youth Center A specialized mental health and substance use treatment center for children located at 1257 S.W. Fourth Ave., Ontario, OR. Offers Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), processing, skills, and peer groups, and WRAP Systems of Care.
• Lifeways Drop-In Center A safe community space for individuals impacted by substance use, located in the Ontari Shamrock Building at 225 SW 1st Ave., Ontario, OR. Provides connections to resources, services, and peer support.
• DUII Treatment Program Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants treatment program offering DUII Education (minimum 12 hours over 4 sessions) for first-time offenders without substance use disorder, and DUII Rehabilitation with individualized ASAM-level care for those meeting diagnostic criteria.
• Prevention Services Community-based prevention programming providing training in Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, QPR, Toolbox, tobacco/marijuana/e-cigarette courses, and problem gambling education. Actively participates in Malheur County Prevention Coalition, Red Ribbon Week, and other community events.
• Intensive In-Home Behavioral Health Treatment (IIBHT) Lifeways' highest level of outpatient mental health treatment for children, adolescents, and young adults (up to age 20) providing 4-6 hours of intensive services per week at family-preferred times and locations. Includes 24/7 crisis support and family training.
• WRAP Systems of Care A fidelity-based planning process for children and families experiencing complex needs. Team-based care planning serving youth ages 0-21 involved in two or more systems (behavioral health, child welfare, special education, juvenile justice, or intellectual/developmental disability).
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Evidence-based treatment for caregivers and young children (ages 2-6) experiencing social, behavioral, or emotional challenges. Uses live coaching via bug-in-the-ear system with weekly sessions and 12-20 session treatment length.
• 24-Hour Community-Based Mobile Crisis 24/7 mobile crisis response in Malheur County by Qualified Mental Health Professionals, Qualified Mental Health Associates, and Certified Peer Support Specialists. Services include crisis assessment, SUD screening, safety planning, Naloxone administration, and treatment referrals.
• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Multi-disciplinary team approach for individuals with severe persistent mental illness (SPMI). Team includes therapist, psychiatric provider, nurse, substance use disorder specialist, peer support specialist, and supported employment specialist with small client-to-staff ratio.
• Forensics Case Management and Treatment Three forensic programs: Jail Diversion (voluntary community-based services to keep individuals with mental health concerns out of the criminal justice system), Aid & Assist (Oregon Revised Statute-guided services for individuals unfit to proceed with criminal charges), and PSRB (services for individuals under Psychiatric Security Review Board jurisdiction).

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Acadia Healthcare: Large publicly traded behavioral health company operating psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment facilities, and outpatient programs across the U.S. Overlaps with Lifeways' psychiatric hospital and residential SUD services but operates at vastly greater scale and for-profit structure.
• Universal Health Services (Behavioral Health Division): Major publicly traded health system with a large behavioral health division operating acute psychiatric hospitals and residential facilities. Comparable service lines (psychiatric hospital, residential) but with national footprint and for-profit capital base.

Emerging players

• BayMark Health Services: National provider of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and addiction services including outpatient and residential programs. Directly overlaps with Lifeways' MAT, outpatient SUD, and Level 3.1 residential services but operates as a for-profit with national scale.

Regional players

• Jefferson Center for Mental Health: Colorado-based Community Mental Health Center providing outpatient, crisis, residential, and substance use services. Highly comparable operating model as a CMHC with similar service mix and 24/7 mobile crisis, but serving a different geography.

Direct peers

• Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI): Oregon-based behavioral health organization contracting with multiple counties for mental health and substance use services. Operates in a comparable role coordinating behavioral health services for rural Oregon counties.
• Options for Southern Oregon: Non-profit CMHP serving Jackson and Josephine counties in Oregon, providing mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services. Direct comparable on CMHP designation, scope of services, and rural Oregon footprint.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Large non-profit behavioral health provider operating residential, outpatient, and community-based programs for individuals with mental health, IDD, and behavioral challenges nationally. Comparable on non-profit structure, residential treatment, IDD services, and multi-state footprint.
• Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare: Oregon-based non-profit Community Mental Health Provider offering outpatient mental health, substance use, and IDD services across multiple counties. Highly comparable to Lifeways as a similarly structured regional CMHP with overlapping service lines and payer mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lifeways