The concept for COMTREA originated in 1973 with three men who were seeking an alternative to incarceration as a means of treatment for individuals with mental illness and drug and alcohol misuse.
Since 1973, the community has seen COMTREA expand from the initial single site halfway house, to a comprehensive Federally Qualified Health Center that extends beyond Jefferson County to South St. Louis and other parts of the St. Louis Metro area.
At current count, there are over 17 different COMTREA locations that provide a full complement of mental health, primary care, dental care and counseling, along with a host of specialty services including safe housing for victims of domestic violence, children’s advocacy centers, and canine therapy.
It is our firm belief, as manifested in our mission statement, that emotional and social problems, substance use, domestic violence, affordable primary and dental health care, and psychiatric illness are major concerns of today.
COMTREA pledges to address these issues through seeking sufficient funding, outreach activities, training and education, and pursuit of excellence in clinical and quality outcomes. It is not enough to just be compassionate, one must act. We are honored to be the safety net for Jefferson County.