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Mental health board seeks renewal levy

Star Beacon - 10/27/2019

Oct. 27--Voters will be asked in November to consider a renewal levy for the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.

Issue 2 is a 5-year, 0.6-mill renewal levy that generates just over $1 million annually. First passed by voters in 2015, the levy costs the owner of a $100,000 around $17.84 in annual tax and passage would not result in an increase.

The money generated through the levy is primarily used to provide matching funds for various grants that aid in behavioral and mental health services provided through other agencies such as the family and adult drug courts and adult probation departments, according to MHRS executive director Miriam Walton.

The levy money has also been instrumental in various public awareness campaigns regarding addiction and substance abuse, Walton said. The board is invested in helping people better themselves and get ahead, she said.

"We have taken a deep dive into prevention efforts which are so important," Walton said.

Larrie Puraty, board president, said board contracts for services, based on a needs assessment and community plan, address the treatment and recovery support needs of Ashtabula County residents struggling with a mental health or substance abuse disorders. The board supports a number of programs for individuals in the community, he added.

"Prevention is also a vital part of what the Board plans for and funds," Puraty said in an email. "An example of the significant investment the Board has made in the community to address prevention needs would be the Board's work with our local school districts by way of the PAX Good Behavior Game and Rachel's Challenge, which is an anti-bullying program."

Levy funds serve as matching funds for grants, such as the Drug Court Grant, Jail Treatment Grant, and Drug Free Communities Grant, Puraty said.

"If these funds were no longer available, we would not be able to maintain our current programming or make additional investments in prevention, treatment and recovery support services," Puraty said. "More importantly, the county would lose out on millions of dollars of state and federal grants. The levy funds serve as a catalyst for driving numerous agencies and programs throughout the county who deliver mental health and substance abuse services."

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