Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Strategic Plan on Target After First Quarter Review
Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (GC-MHRS) - September 17, 2025
Meeting Details: GC-MHRS Board held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 6:00 pm at the
Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Rd., Chardon, OH 44024. This meeting was in person only with no recording available. The agenda was available through a request to Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater by email at tslater@geauga.org.
Public Comment Policy: No formal policy but in practice, public comment is permitted at the end of the meeting.
Board Members Attending: Chair Steven Oluic, Vice Chair Kathy Johnson, Secretary Jimmy Lee Holden, Treasurer Michael Petruziello, and Board Members Reba Dykes, Douglas Lundblad, Mary Ruth Shumway, and Patricia Varanese.
Absent: Board Member Doug Lundblad
Staff Members Attending: Executive Director Christine Lakomiak, Finance Director Jim Mausser, Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater, and Clinical/Compliance Manager Michelle Maneage
Others Attending:
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Agency representatives: Jill W. Portman (Family Pride), Melanie Blasko and Lee Chen (Lake Geauga Recovery Center - LGRC), Michelle Bertman (Catholic Charities), Ashlee Hines (National Alliance on Mental Illness - NAMI), Andrea Gutka (WomenSafe), Mary Wynne-Peaspanen (Signature Health), Tia Lawrence (Torchlight), and Vicki Clark (Ravenwood).
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Community members Newell Howard, Brian Lichtinger (Geauga County Maple Leaf journalist), Richard Piraino and this LWV-Geauga Observer. Observer note: There may have been a few other attendees who did not sign in or speak.
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance - The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. Roll call and Pledge of Allegiance occurred as listed on the agenda.
Minutes: Minutes for the July 2025 Regular Meeting were approved. Minutes are available on the Board’s webpage here. Observer note: There was no meeting in August.
Chairman’s Report - Dr. Oluic reported:
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The last month has been busy as it always is in the mental health community.
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There has been a tragedy with one suicide since the Board last met.
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The Transitional Living Center (TLC) is coming along. Construction is on schedule to complete the TLC expansion near the end of 2025.
Executive Director’s Report - Ms. Lakomiak discussed the following:
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Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) launched statewide August 15, 2025. Geauga County has had MRSS since 2022 when Ravenwood applied for and was able to provide these services. Now MRSS is expanded to all of Ohio. Ravenwood will continue to provide MRSS for Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga as they were awarded the contract for this service area.
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As of the July GC-MHRS Board meeting, Geauga had zero overdose deaths. As of August 31, there have been 2 overdose deaths. This calendar year there have been 9 suicide deaths. Geauga continues to have a very active suicide prevention coalition.
A. On target with all 3 strategies: Enhance access, Educate the public, and Strengthen crisis response.
B. Crisis response team cards and 988 resource navigation materials have been widely distributed to enhance ease of access for the community.
C. The new website will be launched on Friday September 19, 2025.
A. Accessed funding for hygiene products (a grant for $9,000) and last week distributed to these to facilities who serve this population. Hygiene products are a necessary expense that is not provided for by other sources and is often overlooked.
Observer note: This was reported in Ms. Lakomiak’s earlier remarks.
A. 74 Crisis response team members were trained.
Observer note, more information can be found here: https://www.geauga.org/crisis-teams/
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Overdose deaths are down.
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Have completed strategic plans for both overdose and suicide coalitions.
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Active in formation of Overdose and Suicide Fatality Review Boards. Have
had 2 meetings so far.
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Have widely distributed materials to help people navigate suicide prevention resources in the community.
The GC-MHRS Board achieved the 3-year Culture of Quality (COQ) certification. The goal is to improve the overall quality of Board operations and enhance community confidence. Staff and Board have been working on this for the last few years. The GC-MHRS Board did not receive a single finding. The reviewers provided positive feedback, particularly regarding the level of training, interagency collaboration and efforts to connect residents with services. Public affairs and educating the community were another high mark. In all, 150 standards were reviewed. All policies are in line with the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Certified. The review was a 2-day process. GC-MHRS Board received a 3-year certification, the highest the Board can earn. Particular kudos in several areas: Public Affairs, Risk Management, Mission and Programming, Human Resources, Board Operations and finances, and Data collected and used for developing programming.
Committee Discussion -
Dr. Oluic asked the Board “are committees necessary”? He said staff is robust and things seem to be being handled.
Discussion: Board members seemed amenable to disbanding committees, but not insistent. Cathy Johnson suggested leaving committees intact but to meet only as needed. This would allow the Board an interim period to evaluate their usefulness. Dr. Oluic proposed that committee chairs inform staff if their committee meets and requested that their committee report be added to the Board agenda. All agreed to try this system for the time being.
Board Review and Action Items -
Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services has worked collaboratively with the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas to establish the Geauga County Drug Court; and the Board has received an allocation in the amount of $75,000.00 for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026 from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to help fund the Geauga County Drug Court.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services has received $189,676.00 from The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Board allocates PSH Grant Award # OH0165L5E072411 in the amount of $189,676.00 for operating expenses, support services, and administrative expenses incurred at the Geauga Independent Apartments for the time period of October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
The Board also allocates $30,000.00 as a portion of the total match requirement for the aforementioned HUD grant which will come from rents collected from the tenants. The remaining match will come from In-Kind services. Any unspent tenant rents will be saved as a replacement reserve for the Geauga Independent Apartments.
Discussion: MIke Petruziello asked “How many have graduated?” Ms. Lakomiak responded that PSH is designed to be permanent and expected to have low turnover. She said they do have low turnover.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
Ravenwood Health will collaborate with other treatment providers regarding services that are currently offered to inmates housed at the Geauga Safety Center. Program costs are estimated to be $83,333.00.
The allocation of $83,333.00 is awarded to Ravenwood Health for the provision of additional mental health and substance use services to inmates housed at the Geauga Safety Center.
Ms. Lakomiak explained that in the past this was funded by smaller grants. It was not part of all the allocations brought to the Board last May because previously it was a separate grant. It is brought to the Board now because the funding mechanism has changed.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services has submitted the SFY2026 Continuum of Care Community Medications Agreement and budget to the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) in the amount of $74,000.00 for Ohio Pharmacy Services. The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services will use any SFY2025 Ohio Pharmacy Services carryover first. The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services allocates $74,000.00 for Ohio Pharmacy Services for SFY2026.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services allocates $85,000.00 to Ravenwood Health for costs related to crisis response treatment and support services, mental health and substance use support services, psychiatric treatment, medication, and medical materials, telehealth and telehealth support costs, and administrative development costs which Medicaid does not cover in the criminal justice system for a licensed therapist.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Service is the owner of three properties located at 13244 Ravenna Road, 12741 Ravenwood Drive, and 13230 Aquilla Road, in Chardon, Ohio. In order to maintain and protect its real estate facilities, reduce its liability, and provide safety and security for all its residents and visitors, the GC-MHRS Board allocates $25,000.00 for repairing and/or replacing mechanical systems, appliances, furnishings, and general building maintenance for Board-owned properties.
Discussion: Mr. Petruziello asked if staff did an assessment. Ms. Lakomiak responded that they did an assessment, noting that some doors don’t close properly and toilets need repairs. Ms. Lakomiak has a list and quotes for some items. Repairs have not been made in a long time. The $25,000.00 is needed to replenish the Maintenance and Repair account which has existed for a long time. Mr. Petruziello asked if Ms. Lakomiak felt a building inspection was needed. She replied that Millstone (the TLC builder) did a walk through and gave some quotes. The Fire Department and the Alarm company have also been there recently. Mr. Mausser clarified that the $25,000.00 will be added to what is already in account (about $8,000). Mr. Oluic clarified that should more funds be needed, another resolution could be brought forward.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
The GC-MHRS Board has received an allocation of $30,747.00 from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for SFY2026; and Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers will use these funds to provide prevention and education services, and screening and treatment services to those individuals experiencing problem/pathological gambling, and/or other addictions, including those individuals who may be "at risk" for developing these conditions. The allocation of $30,747.00 is awarded to Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers for the provision of treatment and prevention services throughout SFY2026.
Discussion: Mr. Petruziello noted that college gambling is a big problem. He asked if the Board wanted to write a resolution to the governor. There was discussion about the problem and how to express the Board’s concern about gambling addiction. Ms. Johnson felt a letter (not a resolution) would be sufficient. Ms. Lakomiak will write expressing the Board’s concern.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
Am. Sub. H.B. No. 49 established the psychotropic drug reimbursement program to provide reimbursement for the cost of psychotropic drugs that are dispensed to inmates of Ohio county jails. The statutory provision requires that the program be administered by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). The Geauga County Sheriff's Office submitted an itemized reimbursement request, including the number of prescriptions for each allowable drug and the cost for the 2nd half of SFY2025 to OhioMHAS. OhioMHAS has notified the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services (Board) that the Geauga County Safety Center shall be reimbursed the amount of $9,611.00. GC-MHRS Board shall distribute to the Geauga County Safety Center $9,611.00 for payment of their reimbursement request for psychotropic medications administered to inmates for the 2nd half of SFY2025.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
A grant was submitted for the purchase of land and building a regional crisis center. GC-MHRS was asked to be a partner. This resolution makes clear that GC-MHRS is not part of this project.
Discussion: Over a year ago there was discussion about building a regional crisis center with Lake and Ashtabula. A grant request was written without Geauga’s input. This resolution makes it official that Geauga County is not participating. GC-MHRS does have the funding, but is not part of the Strategic Plan and was not part of the planning.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
Financial Reports -
Mr. Mausser reported the August 2025 totals as follows:
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The Board SFY2025 (7/1/24-6/30/25) office budget is through year-end and GC-MHRS expended 97.4% of the budget.
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The Board SFY2026 (7/1/25-6/30/26) office budget is through August and GC-MHRS expended 15.1% of the budget.
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The County calendar year (1/1/25-12/31/25) Budget Performance Report GC-MHRS expended just over $5.03 million through August.
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The Auditor's Fund Balance: the August Unencumbered Balance is just over $2.82 million.
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Voucher recap #709 July $1,164,984.82 and #710 August $380,114.44.
Old Business - none
New Business -
Ms. Lakomiak reported that the GC-MHRS Board has had interest in purchasing a digital sign to promote training, communicate achievements, make it easier to find the building, among other advantages. She said quotes are in the Board packet and asked if funds were available. Mr. Mausser replied that there are unencumbered funds that could be used. There was discussion about the need for a sign and the fact that quotes for the signage were higher than expected at about $33,000. Ms. Johnson asked if signage could be tabled to look at other, less expensive options that would achieve the same goals. All agree about the need.
The motion was tabled until next month to allow time to explore other options.
The Geauga County Commissioners reached out to the GC-MHRS Board for their help in making $100,000 in Opioid Settlement Funds available to the community. The Commissioners have asked the Board to solicit proposals from providers for ways to use the funds to promote the stated goals of the Opioid Settlement. The Board was asked to vet, recommend and monitor applications. Commissioners would provide the funding. No Board action is needed. Ms. Lakomaik informed the Board that staff and providers will be taking on this project.
Public Comments:
Jill Portman (Family Pride) announced that they are having their Open House tomorrow (September 18) at their new, larger location and invited all to attend. The new office is at 521 5th Avenue, Suite A, Chardon, OH.
Mary Wynne-Peaspanen (Signature Health) thanked the Board for their support of the Dancing Under The Stars event. She said no final numbers are available yet but estimate they are likely in the neighborhood of $45,000.
Andrea Gutka (WomenSafe) thanked the Board for their support of the WomenSafe golf outing in July.
This observer shared the postcard for LWVG Candidates Nights.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:02 pm.
Board Minutes: Available at https://www.geauga.org/board-minutes/
Next meeting: The next meeting will be the Regular Meeting on October 15 2025 at 6:00 pm. Meetings are held at the Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Rd., Chardon, OH 44024.
More Information: https://www.geauga.org/
Observer: Kathy Franz
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: September 29, 2025
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