$1.5 Million Awarded by US Congress to Fund Lorain County Crisis Receiving Center 

From Joint Release with The Nord Center:

The Nord Center applied for and was awarded $1.5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending. This request was made through United States Senator Sherrod Brown who worked to make this funding a reality.

This earmarked federal funding underlines of The Nord Center’s commitment to being an active and meaningful participant in the new Lorain County Crisis Receiving Center. The federal funds awarded to this project in combination with the funding received already from the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County , the Lorain County Commissioners, the Nord Family Foundation, and the Bass Family, set the stage in Lorain County for breakthrough behavioral health and substance use disorder crisis care.

This center, based on a best practice model used successfully elsewhere in the country, will expand the County’s capacity to provide inpatient detoxification services and revolutionize the care continuum for behavioral health and substance use disorder in Lorain County.  

“The Lorain County Crisis Receiving Center project has been the culmination of many years’ work and support from countless members of our community. They include civic leadership, healthcare, schools, law enforcement, courts, both state and federal legislators, philanthropic organizations and private business owners,” said Don Schiffbauer, Nord Center CEO. “Our local emergency rooms and law enforcement agencies are currently the treatment choice options for those in crisis. This center will provide a therapeutic, warm and welcoming setting in which to facilitate recovery by providing help through medication stabilization, access to case management, counseling services and appropriate assessment. Providers can also triage on-site for the right level of care, making seamless connections to community resources that will facilitate the recovery and healing process.”

The planned Crisis Receiving Center is an alternative and much improved vision for how Lorain County provides behavioral health and substance use disorder care. The project will enhance the crisis continuum in Lorain County with a first-of-its-kind facility to treat those experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis. The project owner will be the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County in partnership with The Nord Center, The LCADA Way and many other valuable community partners. 

Currently, residents of Lorain County, experiencing a behavioral health crisis or substance use disorder emergency, primarily have two options: go to an emergency department at potentially great expense to the patient and to the community; or be taken to jail, which can overburden local law-enforcement agencies. 

In the Crisis Receiving Center model, people can receive rapid counseling, medication stabilization and assessment with immediate access to an appropriate level of care in a setting that is warm, inviting and therapeutic to both clients and their families and friends.  

In addition to significantly benefitting clients and their families, a Crisis Receiving Center also benefits the community by reducing crowding in emergency rooms and decreasing the use of law enforcement personnel for crisis management. This because, at a Crisis Receiving Center, law enforcement can drop a client off in a matter of minutes rather than potentially spending hours waiting with them at an emergency department.

“We thank you, Senator Brown, for this critically important investment in strengthening the crisis continuum in Lorain County,” said Michael Doud, Executive Director of the MHARS Board of Lorain County. “This funding will help bring this first-of-its-kind facility closer to opening its doors to anyone in our county experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis.”

LCOAT Family Support Branch Debuts Resource Guide

The Lorain County Opioid Action Team’s (LCOAT) Family Support Branch has created a new resource guide for families affected by substance use disorder.

When a loved one struggles with addiction, we may not know how to help. This guide is designed by family members of those struggling with substance use disorder to make the process of finding help a little easier.

Click here to download the printable It’s OK to Talk About It guide.

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:

1. Make time for yourself – Do something you enjoy, such as knitting, painting, or even just watching your favorite show.
2. 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.
3. Be around people who care about you – Having supportive friends and family around can help you in many ways.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988

By: Kaeli Moody

PHOTOS: Elaine Georgas Retires After 30 Years with ADAS, MHARS Boards

On July 29, the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County bid farewell to former Interim Executive Director Elaine Georgas who retired after 30 years of service.

A retirement open house was held in her honor at the Amy Levin Center at the MHARS. Board of Directors President Dan Urbin presented her with a plaque in recognition of her service as well as a plaque that will be placed alongside a tree that was planted by the Amy Levin Center in her honor. County Commissioner Matt Lundy presented Georgas with a proclamation. Staff presented her with a gift on their behalf.

Below are scenes from the event.

Aug. 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day

The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County will be joined by fellow Lorain County Opioid Action Team partners to hold a vigil on August 31 on International Overdose Awareness Day. The vigil will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Lakeview Terrace at Lakeview Park in memory of the 138 lives tragically lost in Lorain County in 2020 due to accidental overdose.

“Each year, the number of Lorain County residents who die from accidental overdose continues to rise and it is a problem not only in our area but around the country,” said MHARS Executive Director Michael Doud. “By increasing the public’s awareness of their proximity to those struggling with substance use disorder and reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths, we can all do our part to reduce the number of our loved ones lost to overdose.”

This year’s event will feature a candlelight vigil and shoe display memorializing those who have walked the road of addiction and died. In addition, those in recovery and the families of those lost to overdose will share their stories. Community partners will also be on hand to share important resources. The event is free and open to the public.

Leading up to the event, two free trainings will be held in August. All are invited to these trainings especially persons in recovery, the loved ones of those struggling with addiction, first responders, counselors, social workers, medical personnel, faith leaders, veterans, teachers, business leaders and community members:

• The Addiction Policy Forum and Recovery Ohio will conduct “enCompass: A Comprehensive Training on Navigating Addiction” on Aug. 26, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This virtual training is open to anyone interested in building skills to support and respond to someone in need of immediate help. RSVP at https://www.addictionpolicy.org/post/lorain-county-encompass-training.
• “Lorain County’s First Response Training Series: Preventing Opioid Deaths” will be held virtually on Aug. 17, 2021 from 1-3:30 p.m. Registration is open at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PAT21JZPTPe2zeu-4FMfQA

In 2019, there were a record 874 IOAD events of all kinds, held in 39 countries. Last year, despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, the world united again to hold 602 events. People and communities come together annually to raise awareness of one of the world’s most urgent public health crises – one that, unfortunately, is only getting worse.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s most recent World Annual Drug Report, 585,000 people around the world died as a result of drug use in 2017. Statistics for 2020 show that the situation has become even more critical since the current pandemic began, decreasing tolerance of people who struggle with substance user disorder and disrupting both services and the drug supply chain.

Those who are unable to attend the event but would like to support from afar are welcome to light up their homes in purple on August 31. They are also encouraged to wear purple at home, school and/or work and share photos of their gatherings on social media with the hashtag #EndOverdose.

We will livestream much of the event on our Facebook page at facebook.com/mharslc. Click here to view the event flyer.

MHARS Board of Directors Selects New FY 2022 Executive Leadership

At its regular monthly meeting on June 24, the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County’s board of directors selected new leadership for the 2022 Fiscal Year. They will assume their roles beginning on July 1, 2021.

“Congratulations to the board of directors’ officers on their leadership roles. We thank them for their continued support of the MHARS Board,” said Executive Director Michael Doud. “I look forward to working with them as we continue our important work throughout Lorain County.”

The new executive leadership team includes:

• Daniel Urbin, Chairperson: Daniel T. Urbin, an Avon Lake resident, served as a Board Member of the former Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services (ADAS) Board and Lorain County Mental Health Board (LCMHB) before their merger as the MHARS Board. Urbin has 38 years of experience working with individuals on their journeys to recovery. His previous experience also includes work with the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Drug Court, Prison Ministry and as a Board Member of Lorain/Medina Community Based Correctional Facility (CBCF).  He is a Certified Peer Supporter, attended the National Conference for Addiction in Washington DC and is past President of Leadership Lorain County.
• Regan Phillips, Vice Chairperson: Regan Phillips, of North Ridgeville, is the City of Elyria’s Executive Administrator for the Council Clerk’s Office. Prior to her position with the City, she had extensive experience with nonprofit organizations including Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA, where she served as Program Director. She currently serves as the President of the African American Community Fund, an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation of Lorain County.  Phillips currently serves as the Lorain Section National Council of Negro Women President and previously served as 2nd Vice President for the NAACP. In addition, she has served on numerous boards including Leadership Lorain County, Elyria Kiwanis and the Urban League Guild. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, and her daughter, Angel.
• Dr. Denise Eacott, Secretary: Dr. Denise Eacott, a Lorain resident, is the owner of Mindful Wellness Psychological Services, LLC in Amherst. She is a licensed psychologist with 20 years of experience in psychology and counseling throughout Northeast Ohio. She is a graduate of Cleveland State University (CSU), from which she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and her Doctorate in Urban Education with a specialization in counseling. Dr. Eacott’s previous volunteer work includes service on the former Lorain County Board of Mental Health, CSU’s Counseling Center and CSU Student Life’s advisory committee.
• David Ashenhurst, Chief Governance Officer: David Ashenhurst, of Oberlin, will continue his role as the MHARS Board of Directors Chief Governance Officer. He is the founder and president of the nonprofit Oberlin By Design, Inc. He has extensive experience in the realm of nonprofit administration with the Pew Charitable Trusts, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Rotary International. Ashenhurst is also a past member of the Oberlin City Council and former executive director of the Nord Family Foundation. Highlights of his volunteer experience include work with the former Lorain County Board of Mental Health, the American Civil Liberties Union, Lorain County Board of Elections, Friends of Oberlin Underground Railroad Center, Inc. and Ohio Citizen Action.

In addition, the MHARS Board staff and its board of directors thank outgoing members Brandon Bobbitt and Dr. Tracey Frierson for their service to the board. Their terms will expire June 30, 2021. At the June 24 meeting, Mike Babet was sworn in, replacing the position to be vacated by Dr. Frierson. The Membership Committee of the Board of Directors is working to fill the position left by Bobbitt.

Opioid Action Team Distributes 365 Free Narcan Kits at June Pop-Up Events

The Lorain County Opioid Action Team (LCOAT), which includes the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County and Lorain County Public Health (LCPH), held two pop-up clinics in June to distribute life-saving Narcan kits in Elyria and Lorain.

Here is a look at how many double-dose nasal spray Narcan kits were distributed:

• Elyria on June 4-6: 157 kits
• Lorain on June 11-13: 208 kits
• In total, 365 kits were distributed over the two weekends

In addition to distributing the kits, the team trained visitors on how to use the kits. The Narcan kits come in the form of a nasal spray that is easy-to-use and designed to be administered by non-medical personnel. In total, 282 people were trained on how to use the kits.

Anyone who would like a kit but was unable to pick one up at a pop-up clinic is welcome to request that a kit be mailed to them. Get training and submit a kit request at LorainCountyHealth.com/opioids. Visit LCPH at 9880 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria on weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to get Narcan training and pick up a Narcan rescue kit. Call 440-322-6367 to make an appointment after hours.

Follow the MHARS Board Facebook page for more info on Narcan distributions.