WOODSTOCK – The county’s only mental health agency geared exclusively to the elderly will lose its director later this year.

Carol Louise started Family Alliance 30 years ago. She will retire in December. From a humble beginning in 1981 with a $1,000 budget, two volunteers and two senior clients, Louise is credited with growing Family Alliance into a leading social service agency recognized statewide and nationally.

The agency rapidly expanded to offer senior counseling programs, support groups, an on-site, adult, day health program and outreach counseling for seniors with chronic mental illness diagnoses. It also provides training in aging, dementia and long-term care options.