Sat Nov 21 2009
Funding for mental health and recovery services is being threatened by cutbacks as the state struggles with an estimated $3.2 billion in revenue shortfall.
The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County has absorbed a half-million dollars in budget cuts during the past year. No services have been reduced thanks to local levy funding that has covered the gap. But levy dollars are limited.
The budget setback comes at a time when agencies funded by the board to provide services are seeing an increase in crisis cases. Many of these new cases are adults, some with families, who have lost jobs and have limited or no income.
The board and its network of agencies are looking at every avenue to maximize funding and serve those in need. But our community can help by letting policy makers know that reducing behavioral health services is not an option. Funding services is an investment in the future financial stability of Ohio.
Contact members of House and Senate leadership and the governor and ask them to restore funding for the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services. Each year more than 1,000 Portage County adults and youth receive treatment that is paid for with funds from ODADAS; some are veterans.
More than 2,500 Portage County adults and children with severe and persistent mental illness are served with funds from the Ohio Department of Mental Health.
As the legislation is proposed, $31 million will be cut from these community services in 2010 which will impact every Ohio county including Portage. Without that funding, adults and families will lose services and support.
Go to www.ohio.gov to send an e-mail to: Gov. Ted Strickland; Bill Harris, Senate President; Tom Niehaus, Senate President Pro Tempore; Capri Cafaro, Minority Leader; Armond Budish, Speaker of the House; Matt Szollosi, Speaker Pro Tempore; and William Batchhelder, Minority Leader.
Our Portage County delegation of State Rep. Kathleen Chandler, State Rep. Steven Dyer and State Sen. Tom Sawyer are supportive of holding the line on cuts to behavioral health. Your voice will help them make a stronger case for maintaining funds to mental health and recovery services.
For more information about mental illness and substance abuse, please visit www.mental-health-recovery.org or contact the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County at 330-673-1756.
Hal Farrier
Excutive Director
Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County
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