Three community agencies that provide mental health and substance abuse treatment to patients on Maui will be merging into one organization, The Maui News reported.

The boards of Aloha House, Maui Youth and Family Services and Malama Family Recovery Center will combine starting next month, according to a joint statement released Friday. Executives for the nonprofit agencies said the merger will not affect client services, but it will allow them to administer their programs more efficiently and economically.

"It'll just enable us to work a lot closer together," said Aloha House CEO Jud Cunningham, who will take the reins of the combined organization.

Peter Cahill, current chairman of the MYFS board, will become president of the combined boards for the first year. The agencies will continue to operate under their existing names.

Cunningham said the move would create an economy of scale that would allow the new organization to invest in better management, with full-time directors overseeing quality assurance, fundraising and computer systems, and a certified public accountant serving as financial director for the whole agency.

"It makes us stronger," he said.

He did not expect any cutbacks in staff or programs, noting that administrative staffing has already been reduced through attrition.

"(The client) shouldn't be able to see a difference," he said.

Maui Youth and Family Services CEO Tim Murphy said the merger would allow for more "seamless," coordinated service.

"It's not uncommon for us to serve the kids in a family and Aloha House to serve the adults, but we have not worked together in the past," he said.

MYFS recently shuttered its residential youth facilities, replacing them with five treatment foster homes, where youths can receive therapy or substance abuse treatment in a family setting, rather than in a group home.

Cunningham said he expected to see the treatment foster home program expanded.

"There are a number of areas where we hope to see program growth," he said.

Aloha House provides mental health and substance abuse treatment services for adults, while MYFS works with juveniles. Malama treats pregnant women.

For more Maui news, visit www.mauinews.com.