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Consolidation of the Mental Health and ADADS boards resulted in savings in some areas
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board, a recent consolidation of the county mental health and alcohol drug addiction services boards, adopted its first combined annual budget totaling $9,156,588 in expenditures.
The fiscal 2016 (July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016) budget, passed unanimously Monday, is $149,022 higher than the fiscal 2015 (July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015) budget.
But the budget also shows an overall savings on operating expenses of $12,814 and an overall decrease in personnel costs of $16,259 as a result of the merger, said Duane Piccirilli, agency executive director.
Core agency allocations include Compass Community Care, $1,911,363; D&E Counseling, $457,150; Help Hotline Crisis Center, $1,272,977; Meridian Health Care, $1,066,643; Neil Kennedy Recovery Center, $427,623, and Turning Point Counseling Center, $1,645,964.
The budget also reflects several areas of emphasis, said Howard Merritt, board treasurer.
They include:
Residential supports: Funding for programs related to housing for the county residents with mental-health and/or addiction issues, more than $1,570,000.
Recovery coach/peer support: Staff to assist with recovery and treatment totals, more than $130,000.
Forensic (jail related) services: Assist in treatment and recovery as well as supports to reduce recidivism, more than $320,000.
Children services: Treatment and prevention programs for children in Mahoning County, more than $960,000.
Major sources of revenue are: Two levies, a projected $4.2 million; various Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services allocations, $2.69 million; grants and other, nearly $800,000; and mental-health grants, nearly $752,000.
Also, board reserves totaling $705,138 were needed to balance the budget. Expenditures include $345,000 to continue operation of Horizon House, a residential treatment facility, and to offset a $395,000 decrease in Ohio Mental Health & Addiction Services funding.
The consolidated board’s staff, in conjunction with its agency providers, has worked hard to make the new consolidation as efficient and effective for the residents of Mahoning County. The groundwork has been laid for future benefits and additional services through the board, Piccirilli said.