Nancy Kelsey
Nancy Kelsey is the Communications Consultant for the Mental Health, Addiction & Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County. She is the former Communications & Community Relations Director for the MHARS Board. She is also a community columnist for Cleveland.com. Prior to that, she was the Assistant Director of Communications for City of Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s office. She also worked in communications for Cleveland State University and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
Before transitioning to public relations, Nancy was a journalist with experience in print, public radio and digital media. Nancy is excited to volunteer as part of the Cleveland International Film Festival’s screening team and also serves on NOACA’s Emerging Leaders group. She is also proud to be part of Leadership Lorain’s 2022 Signature Class.
Learn MoreLauren Cieslak
Lauren works at the MHARS (Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services) Board of Lorain County as a Program Officer, working under the Children and Adolescent Services Director on the Community Services Team.
Lauren has worked passionately in direct mental health services for 11 years. Most recently, six of those years were spent in Lorain County. Lauren is a Board Certified Art Therapist as well as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Supervisor. She is currently a professor at Ursuline College where she teaches practicum and internship students in the double master’s program, of which she is also an alumna. Previously, Lauren was a mental health therapist at The Nord Center where she led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Trauma Informed Care initiatives. Lauren is a founding member of two community nonprofits: The Lorain County LGBTQ+ Taskforce and Public Art Vermilion. Earlier in her career, Lauren worked at The Emily Program, The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Westside Community House. Lauren has a BA in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University, and a double masters in Art Therapy and Counseling from Ursuline College.
Lauren is excited about her work here at the MHARS Board.
Lauren says, “I think that something I’m most excited about is effecting change, starting needed conversations, and destigmatizing mental health and recovery needs in our community by providing support, training and education to our community.”
Learn MorePatrice McKinney
Patrice McKinney is the MHARS Board’s Administrative Services Director. She worked for the former mental health board from March 1995 through the merger with the former addiction board.
A lifelong Lorain County resident, born in Lorain and now living in Elyria, she is a graduate of Elyria West High School, Tiffin University and Ohio Business College, formerly Lorain Business College. Patrice holds memberships in the National Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), National Association of Government Administrators Records & Archives (NAGARA), Elyria Sunrise Rotary Club and Southside Elyria Network. She is a past chair of the #HowICope Mental Health Fair. Patrice is also a past Membership Committee Chair of the Elyria Chapter of National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. (NANBPWC)
She is passionate about her work with the MHARS Board.
“I am a mental health and substance use disorder family member,” she said. “My mother was in recovery from mental illness before she passed away from cancer many years ago. One of my brothers suffered from schizophrenia and substance use disorder. He was on the path to recovery from SUD before he too passed away several years ago. Both received services from The Nord Center. I believe everyone suffering from mental illness and/or substance use disorder deserves a supportive, holistic network to guide them onto the road to recovery.”
MHARS Board Welcomes New Staff Member
The MHARS Board of Lorain County welcomes our new Program Officer, Lauren Cieslak. She will be working under the Children and Adolescent Services Director on the Community Services team.
Lauren has worked passionately in direct mental health services for 11 years. Most recently, six of those years were spent in Lorain County. Lauren is a Board Certified Art Therapist as well as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Supervisor. She is currently a professor at Ursuline College where she teaches practicum and internship students in the double master’s program, of which she is also an alumna. Previously, Lauren was a mental health therapist at The Nord Center where she led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Trauma Informed Care initiatives. Lauren is a founding member of two community nonprofits: The Lorain County LGBTQ+ Taskforce and Public Art Vermilion. Earlier in her career, Lauren worked at The Emily Program, The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Westside Community House. Lauren has a BA in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University, and a double masters in Art Therapy and Counseling from Ursuline College.
Interested in employment opportunities at the MHARS Board? Visit HERE for more information and available positions.
Learn More
Coping with the Holidays Guide Available Online
Holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year for many, but it can also be stressful. There are many expectations surrounding the holiday season such as expensive gifts, spending time with friends and families during the pandemic, work parties, etc.
Here are some tips on how to cope with stress during the holiday season from our Coping with the Holidays Guide:
- Make time for yourself – Do something you enjoy, such as knitting, painting, or even just watching your favorite show.
- Make a list of everything you need to get done and prioritize each of them. When you start getting overwhelmed, work on the first thing on your “must do” list.
- Be around people who care about you – Having supportive friends and family around can help you in many ways.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help – Whether it be having your friends help wrap gifts or reaching out to a therapist, make sure to know your needs and acknowledge them.
- Don’t pressure yourself to buy everyone an expensive gift. Thoughtful, low-dollar gifts are perfect when you don’t want to break the bank.
- Take advantage of discounts and clearance items in stores. This is a great way to save money throughout your gift shopping.
Want more tips to beat stress, delicious recipes, and more resources? Check out the Coping with the Holidays Guide!
Happy Holidays from all of us at the MHARS Board of Lorain County.
If you need help this season, please reach out.
Text 4hope to 741-741 to talk to a licensed therapist without having to call. The line is open 24/7.
24-hour Crisis Hotline: 1-800-888-6161
By: Kaeli Moody
Learn More
New Board Member Appointed to MHARS Board of Directors
A new director has been appointed to the Mental Heath, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County. Marie Leibas was sworn in on December 16.
Leibas was appointed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to serve on the MHARS Board of Directors. She has previously worked at Ohio Jobs and Family Services in Elyria, Ohio as a Data Entry Clerk for over five years. She currently is involved in the Lorain Historical Society, Lorain Proud, the Lorain Palace Theatre, and the Mexican Mutual Society. Leibas is extremely passionate about advocating for mental health and addiction issues.
Learn More
You Belong Kicks Off at December Event
The transition from elementary to middle school can be difficult for some students. You Belong is a youth-led initiative designed to support students through this transition. The project liaison, Mike Ferrer, works with adult mentors and students from participating schools with the support of the MHARS Board.
You Belong is designed to support schools interested in increasing the number of students that feel connected to peers and teachers with the understanding that increasing belongingness and decreasing the number of students who experience isolation and alienation, can reduce the risk of suicides. Further, You Belong provides an opportunity for youth to take a leadership role in creating a school climate in which every student understands that he or she belongs.
On December 6, students and mentors from each school involved in the initiative came together at the Spitzer Conference Center at Lorain County Community College for the You Belong Kickoff Event. At this event, roughly nine students from each school and their mentors participated in activities aimed at developing engagement and leadership skills. At the event, Ferrer and his team facilitated multiple activities to prepare students for their roles in You Belong.
The MHARS Board of Lorain County is providing financial support for nine schools this school year. The schools include:
- Longfellow Middle School (Lorain)
- Johnnie Wilson Middle School (Lorain)
- Southview Middle School (Lorain)
- Midview Middle School (Grafton)
- Brookside Middle School (Sheffield)
- Durling Middle School (Lorain)
- North Ridgeville Academic Center (North Ridgeville)
- Learwood Middle School (Avon Lake)
- Keystone Middle School (LaGrange)
By Kaeli Moody
Learn More
4,381.6 Pounds of Drugs Collected During Lorain County Drug Take Back Day
The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County partnered with local law enforcement and various community organizations to collect 4,381.6 pounds of drugs, including opioids, at National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 23. The Fall 2021 total surpasses the 3,883.7 pounds collected at the last Lorain County Drug Take Back event in April 2021.
“Lorain County continues to see the adverse effects of improper opioid use that lead to addiction,” said Michael Doud, MHARS Board Executive Director. “We can all do our part to curb substance use disorder by safely disposing of prescription drugs that could potentially be abused. I thank the many residents, volunteers and public safety personnel who made this event a success.”
Here is a breakdown of how much was collected throughout Lorain County by location:
| Locations | Pounds Collected |
| Amherst Police Department | 502 |
| Avon Police Department | 500 |
| Avon Lake Police Department | 225.6 |
| Columbia Fire Department | 76.4 |
| Elyria Police Department | 206 |
| Grafton Police Department | 177.8 |
| Kipton Police Department | 42.6 |
| LaGrange Police Department | 138.4 |
| Lorain Police Department | 276 |
| Lorain County Sheriff | 1150 |
| North Ridgeville Police Department | 361.8 |
| Oberlin Police Department | 425.4 |
| Sheffield Lake Police Department | 55.8 |
| Sheffield Village Police Department | 74.2 |
| Vermilion Police Department | 27 |
| Wellington Police Department | 142.6 |
| TOTAL: | 4,381.6 |
Residents who were unable to drop off on Drug Take Back Day may still bring their unused prescriptions for safe disposal to local police departments. All Lorain County police departments have receptacles for drop-off in their lobbies.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is led nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
For more information about addiction, treatment and recovery, visit www.mharslc.org/recovery.
Learn More
MHARS Board Offices to Close Oct. 29 for Staff Training
Our offices will be closed on October 29, 2021 for an off-site staff training.
It is possible that some messages and voicemails may not be returned by staff until Monday, November 1.
Thanks!
Learn MoreRFQ Questions Answered
Below are the questions submitted as part of the RFQ for a project manager/owner representative for the Lorain County Crisis Receiving Center. The questions, as they were sent, are listed below in a bolded font.
- Has the site been selected or is acquisition part of the proposal? There are two (2) noncontiguous parcels owned by The Nord Center that has been identified as a possible location for the project. The parcel had a Phase 1 completed.
- Has any entitlement work been initiated? No. The City of Lorain is aware of the project.
- Has a site plan been developed?Preliminary plan created in 2018. Building concept has not been determined.
- Is it possible to extent the deadline for questions into next week?No
- There is a limit of (10) single sided pages, does this include all backup for experience and resumes of our team? Resumes are not part of the 10 pages. All other documents are part of the 10 pages.
