The Nicholas & Dorothy Cummings Foundation was incorporated in 1994 as a nonprofit educational and research institute solely dedicated to excellence, innovation and the importance of behavioral health services, especially as these pertain to organized systems of care in which behavioral health is integrated into primary care. Headquartered in Reno, Nevada, The Cummings Foundation fulfills its mission by funding a number of internally generated research, educational and demonstration projects.

The Nicholas & Dorothy Cummings Foundation has in the past funded a number of outside projects. At the present time, resources are committed indefinitely in funding a number of extensive projects through the Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health. It also provides research and clinical scholarships for students at the University of Nevada, Reno. Information on the activities of the Foundation may be obtained by contacting Dr. Janet Cummings.

Mission Statement

The mission of The Cummings Foundation for Behavioral Health is to promote improved quality in behavioral healthcare.   The major objective is to end the fragmented healthcare system by integrating behavioral health into the healthcare system.  The Foundation believes this is essential to improving patient health as well as improving the efficiency of healthcare.  To achieve these aims the Cummings Foundation supports efforts in the following areas:

• Integrating behavioral health into primary care medical settings
• Supporting  the increased utilization of evidenced-based assessments and treatments
• Supporting innovations in behavioral healthcare practice and education that break down barriers and conventions that harm positive innovation
• Innovating education to better prepare students and professionals for a 21st Century healthcare system
• Preparing professionals to practice in a manner that allows them to meet all the behavioral health needs of the patient, including prescription authority
• Decreasing any antagonism between the science and practice of behavioral health

To achieve these aims the Foundation supports activities such as:

• Conferences and workshops
• Scholarly books and journal articles
• Demonstration projects
• New curricula and training programs
• Awards and prizes
• Consultation