Rushford history

In 1982, Tri-County opened a 22-bed residential alcoholism treatment center, with financial assistance from a special grant provided by the Connecticut General Assembly.

In 1987, Tri-County’s Board of Directors changed the organization’s name to Rushford Center, at the same time broadening the mission to recognize alcohol and other drug use prevention and treatment.

Rushford officials eagerly launched a capital campaign to raise additional funds that resulted in the purchase of the former Town Farms Inn on Silver Street in Middletown in 1990.

National recognition of quality of care came to Rushford in 1991, when it received full accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

In 1993, Rushford assumed operation of Middlesex Hospital’s Substance Abuse Outpatient Clinic, began a daytime partial hospitalization program, and increased its halfway house bed capacity from 12 to 22.

In 1997, it opened a satellite office in Glastonbury, offering the full range of outpatient recovery services for teens and adults, and established ambulatory detoxification services at its Middletown facility

Also in 1998, Rushford joined Hartford HealthCare, an affiliation that continues today, providing opportunities for continued growth and integration with physical health care.

In 2002 Ron Beverly donated the Blacksmith Shop to the Historical Society with the provision that it be used as a blacksmith shop.

The map below is from the 2004 edition roadmaps published by the Allegany County Department of Public Works.

In 2005, Rushford leaders were active in a statewide advocacy effort to “carve-out” behavioral health services under Medicaid so that they could be more effectively administered by a single entity that would promote improved access and quality of care for consumers.

The Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership was established by the state legislature in 2006 and Jeffrey Walter was named to co-chair the oversight council with State Senator Christopher Murphy.

The Rushford Grange donated their building in the fall of 2010 to the Rushford Historical Society.

In 2011, insulating windows and a new high-efficient furnace was installed.

Jeff Walter ended his 34-year tenure with his retirement as Rushford CEO on November 15, 2013.