Meck County leaders to meet with Cardinal Innovations' CEO after 2 local counties sever ties

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — The CEO of mental health provider Cardinal Innovations Healthcare will meet with Mecklenburg County leaders on Tuesday, just 24 hours after two other local counties dropped his company.

Union County announced Monday that it is ending its partnership with Cardinal Innovations and will team up with a new company to provide behavioral and mental health services.

The board of commissioners unanimously approved the new partnership on Monday afternoon with Partners Behavioral Health Management. Commissioners said Partners Behavioral Health Management aligns with the county’s vision and strategic planning more than Cardinal Innovations.

“I think it’s very obvious that if we were happy with them, we wouldn’t be looking for this change,” said Michelle Lancaster, Union County Deputy Manager.

[‘We are in a mess’: Meck County considers cutting ties with Cardinal Innovations]

Union County commissioners adopted the resolution, saying it wanted out. Cabarrus County commissioners followed the same action a couple of hours later.

“It’s in no one’s interest to take our eye off what’s important here, and that’s the members and their care,” said Trey Sutton, Cardinal Innovations' CEO.

[Woman claims discrimination at company that provides mental health treatment]

Critics said Cardinal Innovations has not helped enough, in particular, when it comes to the mental health needs of foster children.

“I would say there have been times they have fallen short in authorizing what we believe are necessary and appropriate services,” Lancaster said.

After several discussions, Cardinal Innovations thought it was close to patching things up.

“We had hoped we were heading in the right direction and really believed we were,” Sutton said.

Both counties decided to work with Partners Behavioral Health Management, which is based in Gastonia.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see (other counties) take different steps or similar steps,” Lancaster said.

The official transition date has not been announced.

Sutton told Channel 9 that Tuesday’s meeting with Mecklenburg County was previously scheduled and doesn’t have anything to do with the decisions made on Monday.

Eyewitness News has reported that leaders in Mecklenburg County have expressed concerns about Cardinal Innovations in the past. In February, commissioners complained about delays in treatment for children and cuts in crisis team funding.

Cardinal told Channel 9 they have been working with the county and have already added almost 100 therapeutic foster care homes this year alone.