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Geauga County Mental Health & Recovery Services

Meeting Details: Regular monthly meeting, November 16, 2022 at 6:00 pm at the Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Rd., Chardon, OH 44024. In person only, no recording.


Who
attended: Chair Steve Oluic, Vice Chair Linda Miller, Secretary Alberta Chokshi, Treasurer Michael Petruziello, and board members: Walter Claypool, Kathy Johnson, Carolee Lesyk, Ryan Mekota, Greg O’Brien, Jimmy Lee Holden, Ann Bagley, Jennifer Malainey


Not attending:
Marty Fay, Mary Ruth Shumway


Staff members attending: Interim Executive Director Leila Vidmar, Associate Director Aimee Martin-D’Arienzo, Secretary/Receptionist Teresa Slater


Guests: Representatives from 5 Service Providers including Ravenwood, Womensafe, Stepping Up.


Minutes from October 19, 2022 and November 1, 2022 were approved. One minor typo correction. 


Interim Executive Director Report

  • Congratulations on the passage of the Mental Health Levy. Passed in all precincts in Geauga County. 

  • Reviewed staff vacations coming up. 

  • A scheduled meeting with Cheri Walter from Ohio Department of Mental Health and Recovery Services was rescheduled. 

  • The  job description for the Executive Director position is complete. 

Associate Director’s Report

  • Street Card, a listing of resources for substance abuse and other services, was reviewed for distribution in the county with service providers, safety forces, etc.

  • Lengthy discussion of the CY 2023-2025 Community Plan (see Action Item below for vote). 

    • Mr. Claypool questioned the process and the validity of the data used.  He believes the State is telling Geauga County MHRS Board what to do. 

    • The Associate Director explained the process several times: how the template for the report is designed, where the data originates from, the broad parameters each county has in deciding how to work toward each target and the process for revision as time progresses.  She also provided Mr. Claypool with copies of data sets used and encouraged him to speak with staff at the state level about his concerns.

Reviewer’s Comment: Per the Board’s Statement of Identity & Mission,  “The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is comprised of volunteer citizens, commissioned under Ohio Law to serve as the local mental health and substance abuse authority for the Geauga County service district.  The Board’s purpose is to assess community needs and to plan, organize and manage public resources so essential services are provided.”


Committee Reports

Agency Relations - no report

Finance - no report

Planning and Policies - no report

Opiate HUB - no report

Housing - no report (see below under Board Review and Action Items)


Board Review and Action Items

  • APPROVED by 11-1 vote, Resolution 22-11-01 - Community Plan for CY 2023-2025.  Mr. Claypool voted no. 

  • APPROVED by 8-4 vote, motion to 1) change the Ad Hoc Housing Committee to a Standing Committee and 2) rename it the Capital Planning Committee to reflect a broader scope than just housing.

    • Mr. Claypool opined that there is not a homeless problem in Geauga County. He feels that if someone is housed at the jail they must have committed a crime.  

    • A representative of Stepping Up and other Board members advised him that was not true, and that there are persons with mental health and other issues who are housed at the jail for lack of alternatives. 

Reviewer’s Comment: see April 20, 2022 Observer Report which documents Sheriff Hildenbrand’s presentation on this topic. See October 19, 2022 Observer Report which documents a presentation on this topic by Lori Cross, Director of Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services.  

  • REVIEWED financial reports. Mr. Mausser was not present. No questions were asked or approval needed. 

  • REVIEWED Executive Director hiring timeline and process: 

    • Advertise after Thanksgiving, interview in January, hire by February. 

    • Seven board members indicated willingness to serve on the Search Committee. Mr. Oluic will choose two and those two, plus two from the State and Mr. Oluic, will comprise the Search Committee.

  • TABLED discussion of Miss Kendra program due to Ms. Shumway’s absence.


Old Business - none


New Business - none


Public Comments - Mr. Oluic asked the attending service providers if they were having problems with staff retention. A representative from Womensafe commented that they are having to raise wages to retain employees while simultaneously being hit with large health insurance increases. Other providers in attendance concurred. Mr. Oluic encouraged all the providers to keep the Board informed of their challenges by communicating with GCMHRB staff. 


Board Minutes: https://www.geauga.org/board-minutes/


Next meeting: There will be no board meeting in December. The next Board meeting is January 18, 2023 at 6:00 pm with no virtual option. 


More Information:
https://www.geauga.org/


Observer: Kathy Franz - Submitted  November 16, 2022

Reviewer: Shelly Lewis


The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.


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