Tue Feb 09 2010
By JARED ORZOLEK
Area mental health professionals say cuts in state funding could send mental health care back to the level of service last seen 20 years ago.
Les McCaslin, CEO of the Four County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMhs) said the recently passed state budget cuts the board's state funding by 36 percent -- from $4.5 million to $2.9 million -- for the 2010 fiscal year.
The ADAMhs board provides nearly 5,000 youths and adults in Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams counties with mental health and alcohol and drug addiction services.
"Obviously, it's not business as usual," McCaslin said.
The CEO explained that the $1.6 million cut in state funding will force the agency to prioritize the services it offers. He said priority will be given to making sure individuals get the medication and housing they need.
"It makes no sense to have people out on the street," McCaslin said. "Our clients need a place to live and need their medication."
Even though a voter-approved replacement levy in November will offset nearly $425,000 in state cuts, McCaslin indicated that preventative care will still be reduced as a result of the state funding cuts, which may force those in need to wait longer for an appointment with a specialist.
McCaslin said this could make it more difficult to provide early intervention services to people experiencing mental health issues, which he said are on the rise because of the tough economy. He said this could ultimately increase costs associated with providing hospital care for mental health patients.
"We've made a lot of progress over the years as related to (reducing) hospital costs. I am afraid we will slide back," McCaslin said.
McCaslin explained that the Mental Health Act of 1988 served to help individuals avoid hospital-based care through outpatient counseling and other psychiatric services.
He said state hospitals went from serving 45-55 people from the four-county area in 1988 to less than five last year, but said reductions in preventative care could begin to reverse that trend.
In order to help people maintain mental health, McCaslin urged area residents to seek help for themselves or loved ones as soon as there are signs a person may be experiencing poor mental health.
"The earlier the better because we don't know how long it will take (to get an appointment)," McCaslin said.
One agency that receives funds from the ADAMhs board is Recovery Services of Northwest Ohio, which helps provide mental health and alcohol and drug treatment services in Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams counties.
Ken Bond, executive director of Recovery Services, said he is not yet sure how much funding his agency will lose because of the state cuts, but said funding reductions have already led to people being placed on waiting lists to receive treatment.
"I've been around a long time in this field, and this is the most difficult period I have seen in the field of social work," Bond said. "We will get people in, but it's not going to be as fast."
Recovery Services has eight locations in the four-county area with 73 employees and serves nearly 1,600 people per year.
Bond said his agency had to cut three positions in the face of funding reductions last year and is trying to avoid further layoffs this year.
"We are trying our darnedest not to lose anyone else because there really is a need," Bond said.
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