The Family Success Consortium (FSC) was incorporated as an S-Corp (professional services organization) in 1990. Mark K. Evans, Psy.D. and training colleagues at Wright State University began research earlier to form a multi-specialty psychological group practice. The multi-specialty concept to organize a psychological practice was innovative. Recognizing the growing research available to psychologists for clinical application, the old model of general practice would soon become unsustainable. The multi-specialty model catapulted FSC into a early period of rapid growth.
By 1996 FSC had opened offices in Cincinnati, Dayton and Northern Kentucky. Acreage (an initial 210 acres then a 56 acre tract) was purchased to develop an Outdoor Retreat Center called Lunasol. Also, a 501(c)3 educational nonprofit (University Success Consortium) was organized to develop and distribute community education services. Additionally, specialty consulting contracts were secured in hospital, school settings, and nursing homes in the region.
FSC specialty programs were operating in Underachievement, Attention Deficit Disorder, Neuropsychological Testing, Pain Management and Geriatric Psychology. John M. Tidd, Psy.D. joined the practice and began development of a Marital/Couples Program. Dr. Tidd promoted a valued collaborative spirit within FSC and in his training with national leaders in marital/couples treatment. In this six year period the FSC staff (a mixture of full and part-time) had grown from zero to 22. A unique community education model was developed to introduce programs. Talks of merging with another regional professional group were underway. Ironically, these merger talks would lead to FSC’s first major growing pain.
Between 1996 and 2002, FSC underwent a period of consolidation. Still applying the multi-specialty practice model, a new staffing strategy was designed. FSC Founder, Dr. Mark K. Evans, became the sole shareholder of FSC, as two other founders left FSC during this period. The Geriatric Program was sold and the Pain Management Program was merged into Medical Clinic. FSC made a strategic decision to exclusively staff with full-time Psychologists.
In the period from 2002-present, the strategy of staffing with psychologists led to a slow maturation. FSC continued to develop programs in this period. Margaret Rinck, Ed.D. joined the practice adding Christian Counseling services in 2002. Dr.Rinck’s drive to community connection and her strong relations with national leaders (authoring and co-authoring many books with national leaders) brought new dimensions to FSC community and national involvement. Then, most recently, Angela Vredeveld, Psy.D. joined FSC to support the FSC Testing Program and work with Dr. Rinck to develop an Early Intervention Substance Abuse Program.
Toward the future, more significant investments are being made into Lunasol. Plans for a Retreat Lodge are completed and a currently operating community education retreat model (www.Islandwood.org) has been identified in Seattle, Washington. Plans for a new main office location in Hyde Park (Cincinnati, Ohio) are underway. The FSC staff continues to work hard to develop specialty programs. However, more than anything, the 20 years of FSC’s past and future success emanates from the FSC core value- Supporting the Success of All Families.
