BOARD MISSION & PURPOSE

The Mission of the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is to create a community that brings hope and improves the quality of life for persons and their loved ones affected by mental health and/or substance use disorders to promote prevention and recovery for all Ashtabula County residents.

Mental Health and Recovery Boards are authorized by Ohio law to locally plan, develop, fund, manage, and evaluate community-based mental health and substance use services. The Ashtabula County Board does extensive and ongoing work to determine the community mental health and substance use needs of residents. Significant planning occurs to set priorities and evaluate the services provided. The Board values successful partnerships within the community and works collaboratively with many different organizations such as Criminal Justice, Children Services, and Senior Services. The Board is accountable for funds utilized and is successful at obtaining grants and special projects that meet the prevention, treatment, and recovery support needs of Ashtabula County residents.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPLICATION

If you are interested in serving on the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, please complete an application with the County Commissioners or the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services:

County Commissioner application: https://www.ashtabulacounty.us/222/Board-or-Committee-Applications

For OHMHAS application: https://mha.ohio.gov/about-us/rules-and-regulations/statutory-requirements/board-membership

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The MHRS Board is a 9-member volunteer oversight Board, of which the Ashtabula County Commissioners appoint 6 members, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services appoints 3. The volunteer board consists of a variety of individuals with lived experience from Substance Use and/or Mental Health, as well as treatment professionals.

Ashtabula County Commissioners’ Appointees

Image of Board Member Alan Block

Alan Block

Alan Block joined the Board in 2022. A resident of Ashtabula since 2013, he has served on numerous boards throughout his career in Ohio and Wisconsin. He holds a BA in Literary Studies from Beloit College and an MA in Adult Education from Ball State University. Alan has spent many years as a senior leader, manager, and college instructor in the academic, financial services, and healthcare industries. He has been an active advocate for employee mental health services and benefits throughout his career and has personal experiences receiving and supporting mental health care services. Alan is also a strong believer in the healing power of nature and is an avid gardener, beekeeper, and homesteader.

Image of Board Member Margaret Brunarski

Megan Burnarski
Ms. Brunarski was admitted to the practice of law in 2013 and has served as a full-time staff attorney for the Ashtabula County Public Defender’s Office since July 2016. Prior to joining the public defender’s office, Ms. Brunarski worked as a solo practitioner focusing on criminal and juvenile law. Ms. Brunarski understands the issues that contribute to her clients becoming involved with the criminal justice system and assists them in obtaining the recovery services that lead to successful behavioral change.

Image of board member Pat DuPuy

Pat Grippi-DuPuy
Mrs. DuPuy is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Public Health and holds a Masters degree in Community Health Nursing from Case Western Reserve University. Her specialties have been community health, Psychiatric hospital, long term care, and outpatient evaluations with prescribing medications and treatments. She also has extensive experience in individual counseling, group therapy, and educational seminars.

Image of Deborah King Board Member

Deborah King

Deborah King earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from South University in Royal Palm Beach Florida and her Doctorate degree from Trinity International University of Ambassadors in Duluth Georgia. Deborah is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement |Award from President Donald Trump as well as Humanitarian award from Trinity International University of Ambassadors as an outstanding leader for her visionary guidance, exceptional leadership and world class humanitarian service.

Deborah is the CEO/ Founder of It Takes a Life to Save a Life organization whose primary focus has been to advocate for the sick and suffering, lost or dissuaded victims and or survivors of Mental Health, Addiction, Domestic Violence, Suicide Awareness and Prevention.

Deborah currently serves as a member of the Ashtabula County Community Corrections Board. Deborah’s intense passion and love for people has caused her to dedicate her life to being a change agent for the perseverance of life one person at a time.

Profile picture of Joe Loftus, Ashtabula County MHRS board member.

Joe Loftus

Mr. Loftus has been an associate attorney at Andrews & Pontius, LLC since 2019 after being admitted to the practice of law. Mr. Loftus’s primary areas of practice consist of domestic relations, juvenile, and criminal defense. As an attorney practicing in these areas, Mr. Loftus sees firsthand the effects of addiction and untreated mental health on clients and is devoted to striving for accessible and effective recovery and mental health services in the county.

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Appointees

Image of a shadow Board Member

Alexandra DeGeorge
Alex DeGeorge has been an Ashtabula County resident since childhood. In 2018, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a second major in Sociology from Ohio Northern University. Since returning to Ashtabula, she has worked locally in prevention, community engagement, education, and grant management. In 2021, Alex joined the Ashtabula County Educational Service Center team to support the connection of students, families, and school staff with local resources. In addition, she spends her time coaching soccer, walking her dogs, and enjoying Lake Erie with her husband. Alex began serving on the Board in 2024 and is proud to support the work done in Ashtabula County.

Executive Committee

  1. Megan Brunarski – Board President
  2. Deborah King – Board Vice-President
  3. Alan Block – Board Secretary

BOARD MEETING DATES

Ashtabula County Mental Health Recovery Services Board Calendar Year 2025

Zoom option available. Email kpark@ashtabulamhrs.org for a Zoom link and information.

January 16, 2025-Canceled
January 21, 2025-Special Meeting-Agenda
February 20, 2025-Agenda
March 20, 2025-Agenda
April 17, 2025-Canceled
May 15, 2025
June 19, 2025

July 17, 2025
August 21, 2025
September 18, 2025
October 16, 2025
November 20, 2025
December 18, 2025

Calendar Year 2024

Zoom option available. Email kpark@ashtabulamhrs.org for a Zoom link and information.

Monday, January 22-Minutes
Monday, February 26-Minutes
Monday, March 18-Minutes
Monday, April 15-Minutes
Monday, May 20-Minutes
Monday, June 17-Minutes

Monday, July 15-Canceled
Monday, August 19-Minutes
Monday, September 16-Minutes
Monday, October 21-Minutes
Monday, November 18-Minutes
Monday, December 11-Special Mtg.-Canceled
Monday, December 19-

Calendar Year 2023

Monday, January 23-Minutes
Monday, January 30-Special Meeting-Minutes
Monday, February 13-Executive Director Search Committee Meeting-5:00 PM-Agenda
Monday, February 27-Minutes
Monday, March 20-Minutes
Monday, April 17-Minutes
Monday, May 15-Canceled
Monday, June 12-Minutes

Monday, July 17-Board Search Committee Meeting
Monday, July 17-Board Meeting Canceled
Monday, August 21-Minutes
Monday, September 18-Canceled
Monday, October 16-Minutes
Monday, November 27-Canceled
Monday, December 18-Canceled

Calendar Year 2022

Monday, January 10-Canceled
Monday, February 28-Minutes
Thursday, March 17-Executive Mtg.-4 p.m.
Monday, March 21-Minutes
Monday, April 18-Minutes
Monday, May 16-Minutes
Monday, May 16-Executive Mtg. 5:30 pm.
Monday, June 27-Minutes
Monday, June 27-Executive Mtg. 5:30pm.-Agenda

Monday, July 18-Canceled
Monday, August 15-Minutes
Monday, September 12-Canceled
Monday, October 17-Minutes
Monday, November 14-Minutes
Monday, December 19-Canceled

  • Dates are subject to change based on Board action and proper notification.
  • Unless otherwise notified, meetings are held at the MHRS Board office at 4717 Main Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio, at 8:30 a.m.
  • Board Meeting Minutes are in pdf format if you cannot access this content call (440) 992-3121.
  • Public Comment- Opportunities shall be given to interested members of the public to address the MHRS Board at a public meeting. Parties who want to address the MHRS Board shall provide the Board staff with notice 2 calendar weeks before the scheduled meeting. The presentation made by the interested member of the public shall be time-limited to 10 minutes and/or 3 pages of single-spaced communications if the party wishes to submit the issue in writing.

Community Assessment and Plan (CAP) 2023-2025

View the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Community Assessment and Plan 2023-2025.

The guidelines are in pdf format. If you are unable to access this content call (440) 992-3121.

Annual Report

View the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 2024 Annual Report.

View the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services 2022 Annual Report.

View the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services 2020 Annual Report.

The report is in PDF format. If you are unable to access this content call (440) 992-3121.

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