A new $3 million-plus building may be in the future for the Adolescent Treatment Center of Winnebago, however, first they must hire a new program director.

Greg Bloodgood recently submitted his letter of resignation effective Nov. 1. He has accepted a position with Phoenix Group Home Inc. in Mankato.

Bloodgood has been at the treatment center for the past 15 years and says deciding to leave was tough, and he has mixed emotions.

“At one point I was patting myself on the back, then I was slapping myself on the forehead asking, ‘Why are you doing this?'” he says. “I’ll always be a part of this center and Winnebago.”

United Hospital District administrator Jeff Lang says the opening will be advertised and internal candidates will be considered.

“I think there are a lot of pluses that will assist in our search. We have a good reputation and organization,” says Lang.

Although still in “shock” over his decision, Bloodgood says the move is the right thing to do.

“I’m feeling the need to go after a bigger challenge. I’m starting and creating a new integrated outpatient services system,” he says.

The program at the group home, says Bloodgood, will be for adolescents with mental and chemical health issues.

“The difficulty occurs when they get back in their communities. The question will be, ‘How can we build an effective support system for them?” he adds.A new $3 million-plus building may be in the future for the Adolescent Treatment Center of Winnebago, however, first they must hire a new program director.

Greg Bloodgood recently submitted his letter of resignation effective Nov. 1. He has accepted a position with Phoenix Group Home Inc. in Mankato.

Bloodgood has been at the treatment center for the past 15 years and says deciding to leave was tough, and he has mixed emotions.

“At one point I was patting myself on the back, then I was slapping myself on the forehead asking, ‘Why are you doing this?'” he says. “I’ll always be a part of this center and Winnebago.”

United Hospital District administrator Jeff Lang says the opening will be advertised and internal candidates will be considered.

“I think there are a lot of pluses that will assist in our search. We have a good reputation and organization,” says Lang.

Although still in “shock” over his decision, Bloodgood says the move is the right thing to do.

“I’m feeling the need to go after a bigger challenge. I’m starting and creating a new integrated outpatient services system,” he says.

The program at the group home, says Bloodgood, will be for adolescents with mental and chemical health issues.

“The difficulty occurs when they get back in their communities. The question will be, ‘How can we build an effective support system for them?” he adds.