MHRSB of Lucas County Announces Over $21 Million in Funding for Local Community

MHRSB funding closes gap in services, provides lifesaving services, and allows those with mental illness & addiction to heal

Toledo, OH, May 25, 2023- The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board (MHRSB) of Lucas County is allocating over $21 million in funding to local agencies that serve Lucas County residents and their families for the 2024 fiscal year. The annual allocation was approved by Members of the Board at the May public Board meeting. This funding will support a wide range of mental health and substance abuse services including crisis intervention, prevention and early intervention, treatment and recovery support, advocacy and education, awareness and trainings. This funding will make a real difference in the lives of people in Lucas County who are struggling with mental health challenges. It will help them to get the help they need and to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

For the past 50 years, MHRSB has been committed to ensuring that everyone in Lucas County has access to the mental health and substance abuse services they need. This funding will help to make that goal a reality.

“We are excited to announce this funding, which will help to ensure that people in Lucas County have access to the mental health and substance abuse services they need,” said Scott A. Sylak, Executive Director of MHRSB. “This funding will support a wide range of services, from crisis intervention to prevention and early intervention to treatment and recovery support. We are grateful to the Lucas County Community for their support of this important work.”

MHRSB of Lucas County serves as a community safety net for uninsured, underinsured, or indigent persons needing mental health, addiction, prevention, and/or support services. Beyond distributing funding to empower community recovery, MHRSB’s role is to assess community needs and set priorities, plan the system of care (providers and services) for persons in need of mental health and/or addiction services, collaborate with families, consumers, law enforcement, stakeholders, faith-based, and community organizations, fund and promote local support for community care, monitor contract providers through audits, program reviews, and outcomes, evaluate cost effectiveness, continuity of care, and quality.

The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (MHRSB) of Lucas County has allocated over $19.5 million in financial resources to agencies they contract with to empower them to make a positive impact on mental health and addiction (See list of recipients and amounts below). In addition to the over $19.5 million allocated to organizations, $1.5 million was allocated to support other community endeavors including Lucas County Family and Children First Council, Guardianship Services Board of Lucas County, Lucas County Adult Probation Department, Toledo Lucas County Health Department, Lucas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Toledo Legal Aid Society, Mental Wellness Community Grants, Health Equity Efforts, Mental Health First Aid Trainings, Crisis Intervention Trainings, Peer Support Trainings, Workforce Development Trainings, and Community Awareness Campaigns.

MHRSB works to address communities that are disproportionately impacted by inequity and lack of access in the Lucas County area. Local grassroots organizations that are addressing these issues are encouraged to apply for Mental Wellness Community Grant funding.

In addition to funding local behavioral health agencies, MHRSB has several $20k grant opportunities for local grassroots organizations in Lucas County that work to reduce the impact of mental illness & addiction on individuals and families in Lucas County and reduce violence and its effects in Toledo. For more info and to apply for the Mental Wellness Community Grant, please visit www.lcmhrsb.oh.gov<http://www.lcmhrsb.oh.gov>.