Spectrum of Supportive Services was created in Cleveland in 1997 by combining two mental health agencies that were founded in 1970 (Panta Rhei; founding executive director Stuart Greenberg) and 1978 (Aftercare Residential Services; Stephen Morse First Executive Director, Wendy DiGregorio Executive Director at the time of the 1997 merger).

From the beginning, the agencies utilized funds from the Cleveland Foundation and the Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board to provide housing, vocational, employment and supportive services to adults with psychiatric disabilities.

Spectrum is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation accredited by CARF certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and certified by the State of Ohio to participate in the governmental set-aside purchasing program.

Spectrum is a contract agency/vendor of the Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board, the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission and the Social Security Ticket-to-Work program.

Spectrum and/or its leadership individuals are members of the Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers, NAMI, USPRA, Mental Health Advocacy Coalition and other organizations dedicated to fair, adequate and appropriate services leading to recovery for people with psychriatic disablities, without regard to their ability to pay.