Wednesday, September 1, 2010, a Governor’s press release announced that “Ohio’s mental health system will receive $32.6 million to help provide critical treatment for adults and children with mental illness and preserve jobs in the mental health system.”  The funds are being designated  from Ohio’s portion of Enhanced Federal Medicaid dollars that will flow to the state as part of a projected $518.6 million in total new funds to offset Medicaid payments.  Of the new funding, $30.6 million will be distributed to County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Boards on a per capita basis for community mental health services, and $2 million will be set aside for children’s mental health services.

Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) President Joseph L. Szoke, Executive Director of the ADAMHS Board for Montgomery County, commented, “We are grateful for this funding that will go directly to Ohio communities to provide desperately needed mental health treatment services and recovery supports like consumer-directed services, employment, and housing that enable so many adults to live productive lives in the community. This means that vital services like crisis care will be maintained to help people avoid costly alternatives such as state hospitals, emergency room visits, and even jail.”

According to Cheri L. Walter, OACBHA CEO, “The additional funding will help to replace the loss of state funds for community-based services.  Ohio’s behavioral health system of care has hung on by a thread, and this new funding will allow access to treatment for non-Medicaid individuals and the recovery supports that keep people alive.  We are very thankful for these additional dollars; people with a mental illness and their families will truly benefit from the services provided. We know that Treatment Works, and People Recover when they have access to the community-based services and recovery supports they need.”