The County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADM) Board received a $56,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to support efforts in developing a comprehensive behavioral health disaster preparedness plan that will enhance existing local emergency response systems.

A steering committee that represents a cross-section of the community responsible in times of disaster and crisis response is currently assembled to help guide this process. The ADM Board contracted with TBD Solutions to complete a community needs assessment and to help identify gaps and potential areas for growth within the current system. TBD Solutions will facilitate stakeholder focus groups and bring the Behavioral Health Threat Assessment training to Summit County with the ultimate goal of providing recommendations and assisting in the implementation of a sustainable county-wide plan.

According to Aimee Wade, the ADM Board’s Executive Director, “We are proud to usher this resource into the community and work alongside private and public partners to bolster coordinated crisis and disaster responses, inclusive of behavioral health. Behavioral health is an essential component of community resilience in the aftermath of a disaster.”

This project is expected to run from January 2025 to September 2025.  

For more information on the grant, visit https://mha.ohio.gov/supporting-providers/apply-for-funding/funding-opportunities/MHA-FY25-RFA-68-Behavioral-Health-Disaster-Preparedness-Projects