Thrive Behavioral Health

The story of Thrive Behavioral Health isn't about a single founding moment, but a strategic combination of established community pillars. Its direct lineage begins with The Kent Center for Human and Organizational Development, which started serving the Kent County, Rhode Island area in 1976 with a mission to improve the quality of life for those facing behavioral health challenges. For decades, it operated as a key local provider of mental health and substance abuse programs. A significant turning point came in June 2017, when The Kent Center merged with another respected local organization, Riverwood Mental Health Services. This wasn't an acquisition, but a joining of forces. David Lauterbach, the CEO of The Kent Center, and Dan Kubas-Meyer, Riverwood's Executive Director, saw an opportunity to create a more robust entity. The merger expanded their geographical reach and combined their distinct expertise—The Kent Center's experience in trauma-informed care and Riverwood's work with individuals experiencing homelessness. Following the merger, the expanded organization needed a new identity to reflect its broader mission. In September 2018, under the leadership of newly appointed President and CEO Dan Kubas-Meyer, The Kent Center officially rebranded as Thrive Behavioral Health. The new name was chosen to represent their core goal: providing people with the tools to truly thrive. This marked the birth of the organization as it is known today, a comprehensive human service provider serving thousands of Rhode Islanders annually.