Support Mental Health and Recovery by Voting FOR the Renewal Levy on November 4, 2025.

Join the Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, Richland Recovery Network Partners and Citizens for Mental Health and Recovery in supporting mental health and substance use treatment services. This levy funds programming in agencies you know and trust and vital services to Richland County residents in need. This is NOT A NEW TAX.

History of the organization

The Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board has been serving the Richland County Community since 1963 when the Community Mental Health Act passed. The act signed by President John F. Kennedy, aimed to shift metal health care from large, state-run institution to community-based centers. This landmark legislation provided federal funding for the construction and staffing of these centers, with the goal of offering a more integrated and community-focused approach to mental health care.

In 1968 the Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation was founded in Richland County.

In 1989 mental health and mental retardation split and the alcohol and drug addiction services were added resulting in what is now known as the Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. To this day the Board focuses on ensuring individuals we serve have quality care and a safe environment where they can work toward recovery.

A Long History of Support and Success of the Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Levy

The current levy was originally passed in 1986 as a 10-year levy. It was replaced in 1997 then renewed and reduced to a 5-year levy in 2006. It was replaced again in November 2011. In November 2015 the Board was allowed to return to the original 10-year levy and went on ballot as a 10-year renewal and passed in November 2015. The support of voters in Richland County has helped numerous people overcome their battle with mental illness and addiction. Services that are provided through your support has impacted many individuals, their families and helps build a stronger Richland County.

Resolution of Necessity was presented to the Board of Directors at their May 20, 2025 Board of Directors Meeting and passed by Unanimous Vote

The Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to pass a Resolution of Necessity on May 20, 2025.

This resolution was a first step in being approved to go on ballot for the November 2025 election. Executive Director Sherry Branham presented this request to the Richland County Commissioners on ?????? who approved the request sending a request to the Richland County Auditor to review financials related to the levy. On ?????? the Commissioners voted on a Resolution to Proceeds. The request was then submitted to the Richland County Board of Elections and to the State of Ohio who approved the levy going on ballot.

Resolution Declaring Necessity for Placing a Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Levy on the November 2025 Ballot

Whereas, the Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is honored with a 1 mill levy that originated in 1986.

Whereas, over the years Richland County voters have continued to support the mission of the Board.

Whereas, the last renewal was passed in November of 2015.

Whereas, the first opportunity to go on ballot for the existing levy is November 4, 2025.

Whereas, the funding under this levy provides significant financial support for treatment for those with severe mental illness and severe and persistent mental illness.

Whereas, the funding under this levy provides significant financial support for treatment for those with an addiction.

Whereas, the funding under this levy provides significant financial support for prevention services.

Whereas, funding under this levy provides significant financial support for advocacy services.

Whereas, Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board’s Board of Directors, with quorum present, by unanimous vote, approves Executive Director Sherry Branham’s request to propose to the Richland County Commissioner that they declare the necessity of our existing levy.

Therefore, The Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board’s Board of Directors sees the necessity to request the Richland County Commissioners to approve a Resolution of Necessity for the Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, and to place a 1 mil renewal levy on the November 4, 2025 ballot.

It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Board concerning and relating to the adoption of this resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Board.

The Facts about how funds are used:

The current mental health and recovery services levy in Richland County was passed in 1986 and renewed most recently in 2016.

We are placing a 1 mil, 10-year levy RENEWAL on the ballot for the November 4th election. This is NOT a new tax or a tax increase.

The levy generates an average of $1,900,000 a Year.

Revenue from the levy is used:

To provide vital mental health crisis response services in Richland County 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

To provide over 7000 Richland County residents publicly funded mental health and/or substance use treatment services annually.

To provide programs aimed at prevention, outreach and treatment for people with mental health and addiction problems and early intervention for children, adolescents and adults.

To provide education and support to families with mental health and addiction problems.

To provide Crisis Intervention Team training for 20-25 law enforcement and other first responders two times a year. 392 trained to date.

To provide Wellness Programing in all Richland County school districts.

To provide diagnostic assessments to Richland County residents at no out-of-pocket expense.

To help fund prevention services through CACY that include substance use (drug, alcohol, tobacco, gambling) ,bully prevention programs and suicide prevention in schools throughout Richland County.

To provide collaboration between pediatricians and psychiatry for better holistic care for youth.

As a result of careful management of levy dollars by the Board, services have been able to be steadily increased to more adequately meet the growing demand and address emergent needs.

Many services, such as emergency services, room and board, transitional youth services and transportation, rely heavily on levy funds. Levy funds are the only funds that are flexible and allow the Board opportunity to fill service gaps in our local community.

Please show your support for those struggling with Mental Health and Addiction and Vote √FOR Mental Health and Recovery on November 4, 2025.

The primary function of the Board is to develop and maintain a public mental health and addiction services system in Richland County. Ohio Revised Code (ORC 340) mandates that the Board:

Plan mental health and addiction services for Richland County
Fund services utilizing federal, state and levy dollars to contract with community agencies for services
Monitor agency performance compliance with federal and state mandated rules
Evaluate services outcomes for their effectiveness and make positive changes as needed

Richland Recovery Network

The Board is the administrative agent for the public Behavioral Health System in Richland County and utilizes federal, state and local funds to ensure Richland County has a broad Continuum of Care. We work collaboratively with the following agencies who are partners in our network of care that is Richland Recovery Network.

Family Life Counseling and Psychiatric Services

Catalyst Life Services

CACY (Community Action for Capable Youth)

U.M.A.D.A.O.P. of Mansfield

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

Coleman Health Service

Ohio Health Mansfield

Richland County Youth and Family Council

Richland County Community Alternative Center

Healing Hearts

Hope 419

33 Forever

Third Street Family Health Services

Starfish Project of Richland County

Encompass Christian Counseling, Lisa Haberbusch

ARC Empowerment Center Project One

Akron Children’s Hospital

2024 Annual Service Overview: Supporting Youth, Adults & Families

The system jointly provided a variety of services to individuals including:

In 2024 the Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board in collaboration with our funded providers served 10,714 unique individuals with 3,520 of them being youth (0-17) and 7,194 being adults (18+). Additionally, 16,899 individuals participated in prevention programs.

The system jointly provided a variety of services to individuals including:

7,257 received Mental Health Treatment
2,453 received Substance Use Disorder Treatment
1,224 accessed Medication-Assisted Treatment
1,144 utilized Harm Reduction programming
890 accessed Recovery Supports programming
29 pregnant women with substance use disorder were served
239 parents with substance use disorder and dependent children were served
*Some individuals participated in multiple services
7,862 calls to Helpline