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Non-Emergency Navigator: 440-240-7025

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988

The Lorain County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to place a ten-year renewal of the existing levy funding the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot. This renewal — which is not a tax increase — will be used to make sure that families have mental health crisis options in emergencies, treatment and prevention programs for children and adults, and addiction recovery services.

Mental illness and addiction are medical issues, not moral failings or character flaws. Recovery is possible, and your help passing this levy is crucial to help those struggling and their loved ones, not just now but into the future.

Below are some things you should know about the renewal levy and how it will help Lorain County families.

 

Just the Facts 

 

The MHARS levy is a renewal of a 1.2-mill, 10-year levy on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot. This levy, which won’t raise taxes, is one of the smallest in Lorain County.

State and federal funding for mental health and addiction treatment has remained relatively flat. In Lorain County, local support typically provides 65% of the annual operating budget that makes services possible. Passage of the renewal levy will continue valued mental health and addiction services to sustain a safe, vibrant community.

 

The Purpose 

 

The residents of Lorain County have been essential partners in ensuring that families have mental health crisis options in emergencies, treatment and prevention programs for children and adults, and addiction recovery services. The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Renewal Levy is critical to ensure cost effective prevention and intervention programs continue. These include:

  • Investing in heroin and opioid addiction recovery programs
  • Providing mental health and recovery services for children and families who cannot afford to pay for them, have nowhere else to turn, and could go untreated
  • Helping teachers identify and connect students to treatment
  • Providing training that improves skills of clinicians, law enforcement, and community members

The Bottom Line 

 

  1. Nearly 16,000 Lorain County residents received mental health and recovery services across our health network in 2021. This renewal contributes a significant amount to keeping those services available for families – 24% of the clients served in our network are children.
  2. Good steward of taxpayer dollars. The Lorain County Commissioners regularly reviews the levy and voted unanimously to place it on November 2024 ballot for renewal. By providing intervention and prevention services, the levy helps significantly reduce the burden on county resources. When compared to other alternatives, interventions funded by the levy are efficient and effective investments.
  3. The levy is one of the smallest county-wide operating levy, and if approved by voters, it would continue to maintain support services promoting stronger and more vibrant communities in Lorain County.
  4. With this levy renewal, we will continue to promote stronger, safer communities by funding programs essential to effective mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

Endorsements

The Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County is proud to share that Issue 24 has received the endorsement of the following trusted organizations and community leaders:

  • A+ Provider
  • Applewood Centers, Inc.
  • Beech Brook
  • Bellefaire JCB
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Catholic Charities Lorain County
  • El Centro
  • Far West Center
  • Gathering Hope House
  • Let’s Get Real, Inc.
  • LMM Guardianship Services
  • Lorain UMADAOP
  • Lucy Idol Center
  • NAMI Lorain County
  • New Directions, Inc
  • New Sunrise Properties
  • OhioGuidestone
  • Pathways Counseling and Growth
  • Road to Hope House
  • Safe Harbor/Genesis House
  • Silver Maple Recovery
  • Stella Maris, Inc
  • Riveon (formerly The Nord Center and The LCADA Way)

Do Your Part – VOTE! 

You can help us build stronger communities in Lorain County and maintain these vital services by voting FOR the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services renewal levy on Nov. 5.

ARE YOU REGISTERED?

CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION:  Visit MYOHIOVOTE.COM to check your registration and where to vote.

GET REGISTERED:  If you have a valid driver’s license, visit MYOHIOVOTE.COM to get registered online. Deadline is Oct. 7.

VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT

If you are a registered voter, download an application form at MYOHIOVOTE.COM. Mail in the filled-out form and you will receive your ballot in the mail. Remember to mail back or drop off your ballot by Nov. 4 to:

Lorain County Board of Elections
1985 North Ridge Road East
Lorain, OH 44055
voteloraincountyohio.gov 

EARLY VOTE

You can also vote early, in person, by visiting the Board of Elections. Early voting starts Tuesday, Oct. 8 and runs through 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4.

VOTE ON ELECTION DAY

Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. Make sure to check your polling location with the Board of Elections.

 

The residents of Lorain County have been essential partners in ensuring that families have mental health crisis options in emergencies, treatment and prevention programs for children and adults, and addiction recovery services. The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Renewal Levy is critical to ensure cost effective prevention and intervention programs continue. These include:

  • Investing in heroin and opioid addiction recovery programs
  • Providing mental health and recovery services for children and families who cannot afford to pay for them, have nowhere else to turn, and could go untreated
  • Helping teachers identify and connect students to treatment
  • Providing training that improves skills of clinicians, law enforcement, and community members
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