A residential care facility in Calais has cut 40 positions as it prepares to be acquired by another health care provider.

The residential services division of Washington County Psychotherapy Associates, which has provided crisis, counseling, residential and geriatric services in Washington and Hancock counties for 12 years, is expected to be acquired soon by Aroostook Mental Health Center, according to the Quoddy Tides. WCPA intends to cut its residential program beds from 25 to 15. Dr. John Edwards, a founding partner of WCPA, told the paper that if it were not for a pending acquisition many other positions might have been cut.

After the acquisition is complete, AMHC will continue to offer services in Aroostook County under its own name. Washington and Hancock counties will be served under a yet to be determined name. According to a release from AMHC, the acquisition will strengthen programs and the financial viability of behavioral and other health care services in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties.