WHO WE ARE

Board of Directors

A citizen Board of 18 community members determines services to be provided and funded based upon state requirements and community needs. The Board of Directors monitors funding and evaluation of those public services. Private, not-for-profit, and independent community agencies are contracted by the MHARS Board to provide an array of addiction and mental health services. Services include counseling, prevention, consultation, peer support, community support, crisis intervention, housing development and management, and vocational support.

Fiscal Year 2021

Current Board of Directors

Chairperson

Dr. Hope Moon (Lorain)

Vice Chairperson

Pamela Waite (Lorain)

Secretary

Inez James (Lorain)

Chief Governance Officer

David Ashenhurst (Oberlin)

Committee Chairs

Finance

James Schaeper

Community Relations and Plan

David DiTullio

Membership

Tim Carrion

David Ashenhurst (Oberlin)

Brandon Bobbitt (Elyria)

Kreig Brusnahan (Avon Lake)

Tim Carrion (Lorain)

Dr. Denise Eacott (Lorain)

Dr. Tracey A. Frierson (North Ridgeville)

Karen McIlwaine (Lorain)

Regan Phillips (North Ridgeville)

Sandra Premura (North Ridgeville)

James Schaeper (Avon Lake)

Karen Sutera (Lorain)

Daniel T. Urbin (Avon Lake)

Committees

Executive

The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Officers of the Board. The Executive Committee shall serve to consult with the Chairperson of the Board on items including but not limited to the development of the Board agenda. The Chairperson of the Board shall chair the Executive Committee.

Finance

The Finance Committee shall review all expenditures of the Board and monthly financial statements and shall report on these to the Board of Directors. The Committee will review the annual budget proposed by the Executive Director and shall make recommendations on the annual budget to the Board of Directors. The Committee shall review results from the annual county financial audit and monitor the implementation of any corrective action plans required by the audit.

Governance

The Governance Committee shall review Board bylaws and recommend revisions to the Board of Directors for adoption. Any Board member or the Executive Director may suggest bylaw changes for the Governance Committee to consider. All discussions regarding bylaw changes shall include input from the Executive Director. The Governance Committee shall monitor and conduct self-evaluation surveys of Board members to inform the future educational training needs of the Board of Directors. These surveys shall be conducted not later than June of each year.

Community Planning and Oversight

The Community Relations and Plan Committee shall evaluate new programs and determine service gaps and unmet needs in the community. The Committee also shall establish methods to be used to monitor the performance of programs funded by the Board of Directors. The Committee shall facilitate the development of a schedule of regular presentations to the Board of Directors pertaining to current programming and emerging needs in the community.

Nominating

The Nominating Committee shall have the responsibility to prepare, recommend and nominate candidates for election as officers to be submitted to the Board of Directors at its May meeting, after soliciting names of candidates from members of the Board after which nominations shall be closed. The Nominating Committee shall convene, consider and recommend to the Board candidates for vacant officer positions and shall act by a majority vote of its members. The Nominating Committee shall conduct interviews and shall make recommendations of potential Board members to the Board of Directors to formally request the appropriate appointing authorities to fill vacancies. The Committee shall endeavor to ensure that the composition of the Board reflects the demographic characteristics of Lorain County.

Board Member Qualifications

To serve on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County, one must be a resident of Lorain County and have an interest in mental health and/or addiction. Certain restrictions exist. A Board Member may not be related to any member of the Board of County Commissioners. A Board Member may not serve on the Board of any agency under contract with the Board or be employed by any such agency. A Board Member may not be employed by the MHARS Board or be related to any person employed by the MHARS Board.

Board Members are volunteers who do not receive compensation for their service.

Board Member Application

If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County, complete the application form online.

The form and its contents will be transmitted electronically, and will be subject to all usual public information requirements.

To receive/submit a Board Appointment Application by hardcopy form, contact Vinaida Reyna at vreyna@mharslc.org, or:

MHARS Board

Attn: Membership Committee

1173 North Ridge Road East, Suite 101

Lorain, OH 44055