MIND your health!

Mental Health and Recovery Board

of Erie & Ottawa Counties

416 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870

419-627-1908 • Toll free 1-800-627-4999

Fax 419-627-0769

Mental Health & Recovery Board (MHRB) of Erie and Ottawa Counties

Fact Sheet

ü There are 57 Boards representing all 88 counties in Ohio. Ohio has a State supervised, County administered system of behavioral health care. This means state agencies make policy but do not carry it out. Instead they make sure county agencies follow state and federal guidelines.

ü The MHRB is a local government agency charged with planning, developing, funding, managing and evaluating a range of mental health and alcohol and drug abuse and addiction services and programs.

ü The MHRB serves as a “safety net” for all Erie and Ottawa County residents, ensuring that counseling and support services, trained professionals, and evidence-based programs are in place and accessible. In other words, the public behavioral healthcare system is much like medical insurance—there if you need it.

ü The MHRB does not serve clients. Instead, contracts are entered into with agencies and other providers with the expertise to do so.

ü The MHRB uses federal and state money that comes from the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS) as well as local funds from tax levies voted for by the residents of Erie and Ottawa Counties. Local money—about 1/3 of the whole budget—allows for a sliding payment schedule based on family income and ability to pay.

ü The MHRB also has to meet certain requirements and follow certain procedures. ODMH and ODADAS supervise and monitor the county Boards.

ü Agencies the Board gives money to have to be certified by ODMH and/or ODADAS—this means they have to meet certain requirements and follow certain procedures.

ü Decisions about what services are available and what populations are served are made locally. This guarantees that the community-based system is accountable to the taxpayers and ensures a wide array of quality services.

ü The MHRB Governing body is made up of 18 members: 4 appointed by ODMH, 4 appointed by ODADAS, 8 appointed by the Erie Co. Commissioners and 3 appointed by the Ottawa Co. Commissioners.

ü The Board works with others in the community to figure out what services and programs are needed. This includes consumers and family members, provider agencies, churches, local officials, courts, law enforcement, job & family services, schools and many others!

Mental Health Matters!