Retirement Open House for Elaine Georgas to Be Held July 29

Former Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County Interim Executive Director Elaine Georgas has announced she will retire effective July 30. Please join us in celebrating her work and retirement at an open house on July 29 at the Amy Levin Center next to the MHARS Board offices. Drop-in hours are from 3-6 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

In 1991, Georgas joined the staff at the ADAS Board of Lorain County and became its Executive Director in 1999 until it merged with the county mental health board in 2019. Click here to read more about her retirement announcement.

Although an RSVP is not required, it is appreciated. Please RSVP via Eventbrite by clicking here.

If you are unable to attend or would like to record or write a farewell message, please visit our Kudoboard.

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MHARS Board Announces Retirement of Former Executive Director

LORAIN, OHIO – Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County former Interim Executive Director Elaine Georgas has announced she will retire effective July 30.

“It has been a privilege to serve in various roles over my career to build systems and services that enhance Lorain County’s system of care for prevention, treatment and recovery services to support our residents and their families,” Georgas said. “I cherish the expertise and friendships from our board’s committed staffs and board members, community providers, city, county and state leadership – who I worked alongside – to accomplish what we have done together. My future is still being written.”

Following the merger of the former Lorain County Board of Mental Health and the Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services (ADAS) Board of Lorain County in 2019, Georgas led the newly formed MHARS Board for more than two years as interim Executive Director. In that time, she helped the new MHARS Board navigate the challenging process of merging two staff teams, a new Board of Directors, an integrated budget, blended roster of service providers and consolidated locations among other things. During the process, the MHARS Board also was responsible for communicating those changes to the community, governmental leadership, partner agencies and countless other stakeholders. In early 2021, following an extensive search with the aid of a consulting firm, the Board of Directors announced it had selected a new Executive Director to fill the role, Michael Doud.

“I sincerely thank Ms. Georgas for all she has done to merge the two boards. She has laid a good foundation for the MHARS Board’s important work as we continue to move forward,” Doud said. “I also thank her for her 30 years of service with the ADAS and MHARS Boards on behalf of our staff and the countless others whose lives were bettered by her work.”

In 1991, Georgas joined the staff at the ADAS Board of Lorain County and became Executive Director in 1999 until the merging of the two boards. She holds a B.A. in Finance from Cleveland State University and an Associate of Arts degree from Lorain County Community College.

Some of her civic and other accomplishments include the following:

• Member of Lorain Rotary Club. Past Secretary/Treasurer – Lorain Rotary Memorial Scholarship
• Lorain County Children and Families Council – Past President (2003) and Secretary (2008- 2021)
• Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities – Past president 2018/2019, former chair – Recovery Oriented System of Care Implementation Committee
• Founder – Communities That Care of Lorain County (2003) Lorain County’s Drug Free Communities Coalition and lead developer: Lorain County Opioid Action Team
• Member – Ohio division of Great Lakes Addiction Technology Transfer Center – Regional Advisory Board
• Appointed to serve on Ohio’s Council on Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (Governor Bob Taft)
• Served on development team for SB 57 – a pilot initiative for Lorain County’s First Responders – including law enforcement- to carry and use the life saving device Naloxone in 2013.
• Successful Grant writer securing $15 million in state/federal funding initiatives to benefit Lorain County’s substance abuse and mental health prevention, treatment and recovery services

“I have known and worked with Ms. Georgas for about 15 years, with both the MHARS board and the former ADAS board. In that time, she has demonstrated a strong knowledge of substance use disorders and mental health issues as well as a passion for helping others. She has always gone above and beyond to get the job done,” said MHARS Board of Directors President Dan Urbin. “I wish her well on her retirement and thank her for her service to Lorain County.”

Please save the date for a farewell event that will be held in recognition of Georgas’s tremendous work. All who would like to wish her well are invited to an open house on July 29. More info will be posted soon on the MHARS website at www.mharslc.org.

 

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A Note from MHARS Board Executive Director Michael Doud

The below letter appeared in the July 7, 2021 MHARS Board eNewsletter. If you’re not subscribed, sign up for our updates by clicking here.

Dear MHARS Board Supporter,

Hello. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County. As a native of Lorain, I am thrilled to be serving the people of Lorain County.

Prior to joining the MHARS Board, I worked in behavioral health throughout Northeast Ohio for more than 30 years. Most recently, I was the Chief Operating Officer of the Emerald Development & Economic Network Inc. (EDEN), a non-profit community housing development agency in Cleveland. Before that, I was the Director of Adult Behavioral Health Services at the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS Board) of Cuyahoga County for 20 years. I have also worked at The Nord Center and St. Joseph/Community Health Partners in Lorain as well as Alternative Paths BHC in Medina. I’m a graduate of Cleveland State University, where I earned my B.A. I also hold a Master of Science degree in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and am a Social Worker licensed by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board.

After the merger of the mental and behavioral health boards of Lorain County about two years ago, there have been great strides to unite the services and mission of both under the leadership of former interim executive director Elaine Georgas. I thank her for her leadership and assisting me during my transition to this new role.

There are a number of challenges facing this community and I’m confident we will be able to face them. My goal is to see the continued enhancement of our crisis response system for both children and adults. There is a need for further investment in prevention and early intervention services. We must support the development of a continuum of housing and recovery support services to support the crisis system for those individuals exiting the most expensive service to be made available in this community. All of this is not an easy task but I’m very optimistic, as I see the enthusiasm shared by many of the key stakeholders in this community to support change.  We want this to be the community of choice.  I’m honored to lead this organization of talented professionals as we work in collaboration with the broader community in Lorain County.

I look forward to continuing the invaluable work of this Board and meeting with community leaders, supporters, the faith community and all those we serve. Very soon, you’ll see a number of important announcements about the MHARS Board and opportunities for you to support our various initiatives, programs and partners. We hope you’ll join us in promoting our good work and services.

Thank you,

Michael Doud
Executive Director
MHARS Board of Lorain County

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MHARS Board Bids Farewell to Longtime Board Member and Welcomes New Staff

On June 1, 2021, Pamela Waite stepped down from her board position on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board. Since its merger in July 2019, she had served as the Board’s vice chairperson.  Pamela served on the former Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County since 2016 and prior to ADAS merging with the Lorain County Board of Mental Health in 2019.

“Pamela continued to ensure that the Boards focused on client-centered, outcome-driven service delivery,”  said, Executive Director Emeritus, Elaine Georgas.

Pamela has an extensive background in advocacy, nursing and mental health. The MHARS Board staff and board thank her for her service and lending her expertise. She will be missed. The board has begun its internal process for filling her position as vice chairperson.

This week, the MHARS Board welcomed its new Executive Director Michael Doud. Interim Executive Director Elaine Georgas will assist in Doud’s transition.

“Michael brings to the job an exceptional combination of energy, sensitivity, and proven leadership. Both the Board and Staff are impressed with his extensive knowledge of Northeast Ohio, his three decades of service within the mental health/substance abuse area, and his strong management skills,” said Board Chair Dr. Hope Moon. “We expect Michael to not only continue the MHARS Board’s excellent programs, but to work with partners and funders to help expand the MHARS Board’s programs to more people in need.”

Click here to read more about him.

The MHARS Board was also joined by a new Communications and Community Relations Director, Nancy Kelsey, in May. Nancy brings a diverse background of experience to this position.

Most recently, she served as the Assistant Director of Communications for the City of Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s office starting out as its Social Media & Digital Communications Manager. Her previous experience includes communications work with Cleveland State University’s Division of University Engagement and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. In addition, she has nearly 10 years of experience as a reporter working in newsrooms around the country for news services, print, radio and digital media. She also spent two years working as an AmeriCorps volunteer teacher on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She resides in Cleveland with her husband and two dogs.

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Purple flags fly and purple lights shine for Overdose Awareness Day on August 31

Addiction is often a hushed topic, as families privately confront its effects, and even grieve over lives lost. The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board is recognizing August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day with a series of public, visible tributes across Lorain County. 

“Our Opioid Response Community Engagement Team wanted to put the topic of overdose and addiction right out there, in purple, for all to see and acknowledge,” said Jinx Mastney, the Board’s Opioid Response Outreach Coordinator and Chair of the team. “And we found eager partners in Lorain County businesses, organizations and residents who realize that it’s time to show clear support for families who are facing a disease that devastates, but from which it is possible to recover.” 

More than 30 businesses and organizations are displaying 89 purple flags, in tribute to the 89 lives lost to accidental overdose in Lorain County in 2019. Churches and other buildings with bells will toll them for 89 seconds at noon on Monday. Other buildings will shine with purple lights. 

The day launches September’s Recovery Month, a national observance to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives.

“Our Board observes Overdose Awareness Day to acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. Seeing such widespread support from the community also encourages our addiction prevention work,” said Elaine Georgas, Interim Director of the MHARS Board.

Mastney said that she will be wearing purple, the international color of Overdose Awareness Day, on Monday. She also expects to see photos online of residents wearing purple, with posts using the hashtags #endoverdose and #recoveryisbeautiful. 

“The purple lights, purple flags, bells, and even my purple shirt, are a signal to the wider community that we support our neighbors, no matter their struggle,” Mastney said.

She also will attend an event hosted by Let’s Get Real, Inc., an agency in the MHARS network of addiction and mental health providers. The “Candles in Remembrance” event on Monday, August 31, at 8 p.m., at 1939 Oberlin Avenue in Lorain, will include the opportunity for participants to share a photo and a message about a loved one.

A map of flag locations, plus other information about activities, ways to get involved or find help for a loved one, are available at mharslc.org/recovery. Stories of recovery will be available throughout the month of September at the Board’s Facebook page, facebook.com/mharslc.  

The Addiction Helpline is available at 440-989-4900.

The MHARS Board is the behavioral health authority that plans, funds and monitors mental health and addiction services in Lorain County. Learn more at mharslc.org.

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MHARS Board is hiring

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July is Minority Mental Health Month

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MHARS Board provides resources to help loved ones in active addiction or recovery

The local Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board is providing resources to help mitigate possible new risks to people in active addiction and long-term recovery during the pandemic. 

“Your loved one may be more at risk of dying of an accidental overdose now, because of a combination of factors related to the pandemic,” says Elaine Georgas, Interim Executive Director of the MHARS Board. “We are especially concerned about people on their recovery journey who are isolated, and might be exposed to illicit drugs with highly dangerous, unknown components while they are also experiencing withdrawal symptoms or reduced tolerance.”  

Initial data through the local law enforcement New World system shows incidents of overdose increased slightly in March, and then increased threefold in April, with May following the same trend, according to Sarah Reinhold, the MHARS Board First Response Project Manager and data analyst. 

Georgas notes ways to be prepared to help a loved one in active addiction and recovery, including:

• Connect with support for all family members through Let’s Get Real, Inc., to learn how to help a loved one in active addiction or in recovery from a substance use disorder: 440-963-7042. Also ask about online recovery groups.
• Sit with your loved one while they call the local addiction helpline to seek treatment, available 24/7: 440-989-4900. 
• Ask all friends, loved ones and colleagues to add the Crisis Text Line to the contacts list in their phone: 741741. This is a free, confidential option to help people through a moment of distress, no matter what the challenge is.
• Request a free Narcan rescue kit from Lorain County Public Health by visiting www.loraincountyhealth.com/opioids. Narcan is a medicine that may reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug like Percocet, Vicodin, morphine, Demerol, heroin, and Oxycontin. Narcan is an emergency medicine that blocks the effect of the opioid on the brain and can help a person start breathing again. It does not reverse overdoses caused by non-opioid drugs like cocaine, alcohol, methamphetamines and benzodiazepines.
• Request a free medication disposal pouch to safely remove old or unused prescriptions from your home medicine cabinets, by contacting 440-282-9920.
• If you know that a loved one will use dangerous drugs, and may use them alone, tell them about the national Never Use Alone service available at 1-800-484-3731. This service asks callers for their location, allergies or medical conditions, and then an operator stays on the line with the caller while they use drugs. If the caller becomes unresponsive, the operator will notify emergency services of possible overdose. The service’s philosophy is to provide recovery help if requested, but they state: “We recognize that you will only quit when you’re ready to quit. We just want to help keep you alive until that time comes.”
• If you know someone in long-term recovery, who has been sober or drug-free for months or years, check in on them frequently. This period of reduced social contact can be dangerous for them. Search “Ohio Strive for 5” and #OHStrive5 for tips on how to stay connected.

Georgas notes that the unprecedented nature of the pandemic means that behavioral health specialists cannot know for certain that there are new risk factors, or that those may cause an increase in deaths. However, she urges action on data that is beginning to show an upward trend coinciding with the pandemic.

The National Institutes of Health called the opioid epidemic within the coronavirus pandemic a “collision of public health crises.”

The medical examiner for nearby Cuyahoga County issued a public health alert on May 19 after seeing a spike in drug overdose deaths. Soon after, the state’s Mental Health and Addiction Services department issued a notice of an increase in suspected drug overdose emergency department visits, citing anomalies in nine other counties across Ohio.

So far in 2020, 41 deaths by overdose have been recorded in Lorain County.

Georgas notes that in the wake of national or collective tragedy or distress, like that of a major health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of substance use often increase, along with other behavioral health challenges like depression or PTSD. Services are available through the non-emergency Navigator line at 440-240-7025 during regular business hours. The crisis hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-888-6161.

The MHARS Board serves as the local authority for community mental health and substance use services. The Board is the county agency responsible for the planning, evaluation and funding of needed programs and facilities for addiction and mental health services. Resources and information available at mharsloraincounty.org.

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Virtual Support Groups FREE for Essential Workers in Lorain County

Essential workers are taking care of all of us, and now there’s a resource to help take care of them.

“The stress levels at work are unbelievable.”
“It’s scary.”
“I’m worried about exposing my family to illness.”
“I’m watching out for everyone, but sometimes I think, who’s watching out for me?”

If you are an essential worker, healthcare provider or first responder in Lorain County, and you’ve thought or said any of the things above—or if you know an essential worker who has—please read and share this flyer.

We are offering essential workers and healthcare workers free, confidential virtual groups to share experiences, process emotions, and manage stress. Groups are led by a behavioral health professional with crisis experience, they are limited to 10 participants and may last up to 60 minutes.

This group does not replace resources offered at your work; instead it is an additional option and safe space for people who could use caring support among other frontline professionals.

Please contact Amber Smith at amsmith@nordcenter.org or 440-204-4163 for registration or questions.

This resource provided by The Nord Center in partnership with the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County.

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