Transitions Rehabilitation history

1954 Vocational Rehabilitation Act amendments: Funding for training and research to better rehabilitation services

1963 Vocational Education Act: Increased funding and vocational programming for people with disabilities

1966 Elementary and Secondary Education Act amendments: Beginning of the Bureau of Education of the Handicapped as well as supporting state special education programs

1967 Vocational Rehabilitation Act amendments: Increased funding for research, training and rehabilitation

1968 Vocational Rehabilitation Act amendments: Funding model for states created.

Transitions was founded in 1969 by a group of citizens concerned about the lack of addiction recovery services for Northern Kentucky’s less fortunate residents.

1970 Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act: States are assisted in forming support systems for people with developmental disabilities

1975 Education of All Handicapped Children Act: Introduced and began funded the implementation the least restrictive environment and free appropriate public education for people with disabilities.

1976 Vocational Education Act amendments: increased access and funding around vocational programming for individuals with disabilities

Starting in 1979 when a small group of families of adult children with mental illnesses came together to discuss meeting the needs of their loved one.

1980: Transitions began operating as a local Alliance for the Mentally Ill as a private not-for-profit organization, consisting of a six-bed residential facility in Rock Island.

1982 Job Training Partnership Act: Funding provided in order to train and place students with disabilities in jobs

In 1983: Transitions began offering vocational training services through Home Helpers, an agency designed, created, and owned lawn mowing/lawn care service.

In 1984: vocational training opportunities for clients were expanded by opening the Mes Amis Café in downtown Rock Island.

1989: A snapshot of TMHA would look dramatically different from the agency you know today.

In 1990: Transitions again increased clients’ vocational training opportunities when it added building repair and renovation activities to Home Helpers’ list of available services.

By 1992, Transitions became the first residential treatment program in Kentucky for women accompanied by children.

1993: San Luis Obispo was inspired to reach out to our neighboring County, and the San Luis Obispo Mental Health Association began its first program on South Broadway in Santa Maria.

In 1995: Transitions expanded the offerings at Mes Amis Café to include a full menu of sandwiches, salads, Mexican and pizza, and changed its name to VIP’s Restaurant.

In 1996: our vocational training was expanded once again as Transitions opened a printing business.

1997: SLO Transitions, Inc. and the San Luis Obispo Mental Health Association merged, and Transitions-Mental Health Association was born.

In 1999: Transitions purchased the T-West property near downtown Rock Island.

In 2001: The agency expanded and renamed the printing company to its present name, The Printer’s Mark.

2005: California lawmakers passed The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), dramatically changing the future of mental health resources for the better.

In 2007: Transitions began offering psychiatric services with the addition of a psychiatrist in private practice who contracted to work with us.

In 2008: Property Professionals began renovations to the Crooners building to change it into office space to accommodate our expanded rehab program.

2009: Transitions-Mental Health Association moved its headquarters to the former Quaglino Hardware Store, making High Street our new location.

2014: TMHA launched 50Now, a collaboration with the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo (HASLO) and the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services.

Transitions has continued to grow over the years, with the most recent addition being the Residential Treatment Center in 2018.