Recently, I have had two separate conversation with individuals that have had negative experiences with the ADAMHS Board.  Rather than jumping to conclusions, I thought I should ask you for the ADAMHS Board’s reasons for the lack of support to these organizations.

1. Hope for Heroin – As you know they are interested in helping those with drug and alcohol addiction. My understanding is that they have a different approach than the other “non-profits”, and offer the gospel of Jesus Christ to those affected by addiction.  Would you mind explaining the ADAMHS Board’s lack of interest in helping this organization?

2. Forbes House – I know that the ADAMHS Board currently supports the Geauga County Domestic Violence Center. However, when the Lake County Domestic Violence Center requested some funding they were turned down.  It would be greatly appreciated if you could shed some light on why you chose not to support a Lake County agency that has been servicing the community for many decades.

Thank you,

Brian Massie
Lobbyists for Citizens

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Updated 3/21/18, 6:30 pm

Here is the response from Kim Fraser, Executive Director of the ADAMHS Board.

Good Morning Mr. Massie,

Thanks you for the opportunity to provide you with accurate information regarding the organizations referenced.
1. Hope Over Heroin – The Lake County ADAMHS Board provided literature to be distributed at the Hope Over Heroin 2-day event.  The literature included information about licensed/certified treatment providers in Lake County, and how to access help.  The literature guided those seeking treatment for opiate abuse to go to the local emergency department so they could be appropriately medically cleared in order to facilitate treatment.  Further, our Board alerted local first responders about the event and reminded first responders how to access care through the local emergency departments should individuals attending the event call for help.  Finally, our Board met with Lake Health to facilitate additional behavioral health crisis workers in the local emergency departments so that if individuals attending the event chose to seek treatment there would be adequate staff available to facilitate placement.

2. Forbes House – The Lake County ADAMHS Board contracts with certified providers on an annual basis to provide mental health and addiction recovery services to Lake County residents.  Contracts follow the state fiscal year (July 1- June 30).  Each March, the Board publishes a “Request for Proposals”, inviting certified providers to submit proposals for the following fiscal year.  Our board then reviews all proposals and makes determinations regarding contracts.  In 2017 Forbes House did not submit a proposal requesting funding to provide services for SFY2018 (July 1, 2017- June 30, 2018).  Therefore their contract ended June 30, 2017.  Regarding the Board’s contract with Womensafe, that agency currently has locations in both Lake and Geauga Counties.  Approximately 30% of the women and children who access shelter at Womensafe are Lake County residents.  The Lake County ADAMHS Board contracts for services and supports, delivered both within the shelter and at the agency’s outpatient location in Lake County, exclusively to Lake County residents.

I hope this provides the information you are seeking.  If you would like to provide me with the names of the individuals who gave you misinformation I would be happy to reach out to them directly to provide clarification.

Thank you, Kim
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We have reached out to the Hope for Heroin and the Forbes House for their response to Ms. Fraser’s response to my questions.  We would like to thank Ms. Fraser for her prompt response.