The Prevention and Recovery Board funds, evaluates, and plans for the necessary mental health, prevention, and substance use disorder services in our community. The Board does NOT provide direct services but funds services at local agencies. Federal, state, and local monies for those services flow through the Board to the contracting agencies.
The Board is governed by a group of local citizens who work without pay and ensure an array of services are available to our community’s citizens. Five residents are appointed to the Board by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and nine by the Jefferson County Commissioners.
The Prevention and Recovery Board provides essential funding for a robust safety net of mental health, recovery, and prevention services. The Board contracts with local agencies to deliver top-tier mental health, recovery, peer support, and prevention services throughout Jefferson County. These agencies effectively assist thousands of individuals and families annually by delivering vital treatment and prevention services.
WHAT IS BEING REQUESTED?
The Prevention and Recovery Board urges citizens to vote “YES” to replace our 0.5 millage levy. The levy was first passed in 1976 and has been renewed ever since but has never been replaced. We are still operating with 1976 dollars, and by voting to replace the levy, we can make a significant impact on more residents.
WHY IS THE LEVY NEEDED?
The levy is needed to ensure access to essential services for individuals and families in Jefferson County. The money will support treatment, prevention, and recovery services for thousands of residents. Last year, over 2,750 individuals received mental health and substance use disorder treatment through the Board system, and 5,500 students received prevention services, almost all the kids in Jefferson County.
Nearly 6 in 10 (56%) of Americans are seeking or wanting to seek mental health services either for themselves or for a loved one. In the U.S. 46.3 million (16.5%) of the population met criteria for having a substance use disorder in the past year.
Some of the things the Levy provides are:
- Mental health services for children and families who can’t afford to pay. Without the levy, they would go untreated.
- Programming in schools to help children cope with life’s difficult problems.
- Support for individuals and families dealing with substance use disorders.
- Help for individuals experiencing emotional stress and depression.
- Funding for 24-hour crisis services for adults and children that can relieve the burden on police and first responders.
- Services to the severely mentally ill.
- Peer recovery support for individuals going from treatment to getting back to work.
Here’s just a few out of many well-known members of the community who endorse the Levy explaining why they believe it is needed:
WHO WILL THIS LEVY SERVE?
- Severely mentally ill adults and children
- Individuals and Families in crisis
- Persons with temporary emotional disorders
- Students
- Senior Citizens
- Non-violent offenders in jail
- Individuals coping with substance use disorder and its related problems
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
- The levy is for 0.5 mills.
- Homeowners will pay $18 a year per $100,000 of raised property valuation.
- Replacement of our levy from 1976 will generate approximately $938,000 annually.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF IT DOESN’T PASS?
- The current level of services being provided could not be maintained.
- Services would need to be decreased and/or eliminated.
- Services to the working poor would be the most severely impacted.
I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. WHO DO I ASK?
If you need more information, feel free to call the Board office at (740) 282-1300 from Monday through Friday between 8 AM – 4:30 PM.