MAHONING COUNTY Mental-health board honors service

The county is forming a new mental-health court for nonviolent offenders.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR HEALTH WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Ray Carter, former director of the McGuffey Center and longtime community support program employee at Turning Point Counseling, is the Mahoning County Mental Health Board's 2003 Advocate of the Year.
Nancy Voitus, executive director of Catholic Charities Regional Agency, was named 2003 Director of the Year.
Rufus Hudson, president of the mental-health board, called Carter a personal "mentor, role model and friend" in presenting him the award.
As director of the McGuffey Center, Carter molded many children who are community leaders today, Hudson said.
Carter was among several people recognized Monday at the annual luncheon and awards program marking Mental Health Month at the Holiday Inn in Boardman.
Ron Marian, executive director of the county mental-health board, praised Voitus for her knowledge of the mental-health system, leadership skills and ability to bring people together to help those in the "shadows of life. The sick, the needy and the handicapped."
Other honorees
Others receiving recognition include:
UCathy Grizinski, associate director of Help Hotline Crisis Center, a mental-health board agency. Grizinski helps train volunteers and has been key in developing many programs over her 25 years with the Help Hotline, including a suicide prevention program in area schools and a support group for survivors of suicide.
UTom Arens of the Burdman Group, a mental-health board agency. Marian recognized Arens for his administrative skills and caring attitude. Marian said Arens "sees people first, and then the disability. He sees strengths, not weaknesses."
USuzanne Barbati, Mahoning County Commissioner's Special Projects Division. Marian said she was instrumental in getting the grant for the new Mahoning County Mental Health Court. "Without her help, we would probably still be looking," he said.
Focus of new court
Judge Robert Douglas of Youngstown Municipal Court, main speaker for the event, operates a drug court and will preside over the mental-health court when it begins operation.
The drug and mental-health courts consider treatment instead of incarceration for nonviolent offenders.
Judge Douglas said there will be much coordination and cooperation between the drug and mental-health courts.
He estimated that 75 percent to 80 percent of the people who come before him in drug court also have mental illnesses of some kind.
"I find it a great challenge to consider all of the facts and come to an appropriate solution. I don't think it's a crime to have a mental illness," the judge said.
"I'll find time to be a part of this challenging and necessary program," Judge Douglas said.
alcorn@vindy.com