NEWS

Ohio's Mental Health and Addiction Conference-The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) held its annual Mental Health and Addiction Conference on June 1–2 in Columbus, Ohio. Bridget Sherman from Ashtabula County Mental Health & Recovery Services (MHRS) Board co-presented a session on Recovery Friendly Workplace with colleagues from the Communities of Practice for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program

Prevention Coalition Launches 988 Coaster Campaign Across Ashtabula County-Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board's Prevention Coalition is expanding awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline through a unique community outreach campaign. Beginning in June and continuing throughout July, committee members are delivering custom 988 coasters to local taverns and other establishments that serve alcoholic beverages across Ashtabula County.

Trauma Informed Care Summit "Rooted in Resilience"- On May 20th and 21st, local leaders represented Ashtabula County at the 13th Annual Trauma-Informed Care Summit. The summit was hosted by the Ohio Children’s Alliance in partnership with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and brought together professionals from across the state to learn, collaborate, and strengthen trauma-informed practices within

To Seek Help in Ashtabula County, OH: Call or Text Chelsea Moretti at (440) 261-8690. 24/7 Crisis Hotline: Call 1-800-95-ABUSE. Human trafficking is often perceived as a distant issue, something that happens in movies or large international hubs. However, the reality is much closer to home. In Ashtabula County, we are seeing

On April 14, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio, Bridget Sherman of the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board joined fellow Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) partners to present at the Ohio Recovery Housing Conference. Their presentation, titled “From Stigma to Strength: The Recovery-Friendly Workplace Initiative,” focused on the growing importance of creating supportive workplaces for individuals in recovery from

988 Crisis Lifeline Signs Now at Ashtabula County Metroparks-Thanks to a grant from the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities and the Department of Behavioral Health, 25 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline- 988 signs with the heading, "You Matter" will be placed at parks and at the bike trail in Ashtabula County. Brett Bellas and his staff from the Ashtabula County

RCORP-TA Reverse Site Visit (RSV) 2026 Conference: This week, our Director of Prevention, Christy Fisher, attended the 2026 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Reverse Site Visit Conference in Washington, DC. Christy valued the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and strengthen her understanding of effective rural prevention strategies and sustainable community partnerships. Connecting with leaders from

Meet the MHRS Team-Kaitie Hart Meet the MHRS Team! Kaitie Hart, Executive Director. Kaitie has been employed with the Ashtabula County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board since January 2015. She is a 2007 Graduate of The Ohio State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Studies through the College of Human Development and Family Science. She

Bringing Help Directly to the Door: Ashtabula County’s Quick Response Team Expands Outreach In 2025, Ashtabula County experienced approximately 23 overdose deaths, with final data pending, a heartbreaking reminder that substance use disorder continues to impact individuals, families, and our community as a whole. At the same time, there is clear evidence that harm-reduction efforts are making a difference. Last year

Prevention Spotlight-Signature Health At Signature Health, they believe health care should feel personal, welcoming, and accessible to everyone. Their mission is to treat the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, while removing barriers to care. They offer a full spectrum of care across the lifespan, including mental health counseling, psychiatry, addiction treatment, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), case management, and group therapy. Signature

Handle with Care Program Launches in Ashtabula County to Support Students Affected by Trauma-Ashtabula County schools and first responders are rolling out a new initiative designed to support children who have recently experienced traumatic events. The program, known as Handle with Care, aims to ensure that students receive understanding, flexibility, and appropriate support when trauma may be affecting their learning, behavior,

On November 20th, the Ashtabula Arts Center hosted this year’s Hope in Artistry reception, an annual November tradition now in its 9th year. The exhibit brought together local artists who use their creativity to reflect on personal experiences with suicide, mental health challenges, and the journey toward healing. This powerful collection of artwork highlights the courage found in recovery capturing moments

Family Pride helps seniors maintain their independence, continue to be self-sufficient, and manage daily stress. Our services can be provided in the home and throughout the community. Senior Support Services helps individuals ages 60 and above through a variety of services, including: -Connecting to supportive programming in Ashtabula, Lake, and Geauga Counties -Provide financial education and support -Connecting to transportation

Meet the MHRS Team! Bridget Sherman has been employed with the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board since January of 2015. Ms. Sherman is a graduate of Youngstown State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. Ms. Sherman earned her Master of Arts Degree in Forensic Psychology from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice (City Universities

Communities of Practice–Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (COP-RCORP) - On September 10th, 2025, the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services (MHRS) Board hosted the quarterly meeting of the Communities of Practice–Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (COP-RCORP). COP-RCORP, led through Ohio University and the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), is supported by funding from the Health Resources and Services

The Ashtabula County One Life Race was held on September 6th. The Ashtabula County Suicide Prevention Coalition, in partnership with Stasny Road Racing, held a community walk and race to raise awareness about suicide prevention. The event brought together residents, families, and advocates from across the county to honor loved ones lost to suicide, support survivors, and spread a message

The Ohio State Highway Patrol recently hosted an Open House for its New Beginnings Program in Columbus, bringing together partners from across the state to highlight efforts that connect individuals to recovery supports. Ashtabula County MHRS Board staff, Kaitie Hart and Christy Fisher attended the event. The program focuses on providing second chances, building recovery pathways, and strengthening collaboration between law

MHRS & Kent State University Ashtabula-Bachelor of Social Work Program Kent State University offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree that prepares graduates for generalist social work practice, focusing on skills to assess needs, link clients to resources, and monitor progress. The Kent State University program emphasizes areas like rural social work, mental health,

Great to see our community come together to observe International Overdose Awareness Day. The event aims to remind everyone that recovery is possible and resources are available. County observes International Overdose Awareness Day by Stefanie Wessell, Gazette News. September 17, 2025, in Community, News JEFFERSON – Help is out there, and recovery is possible. That was the message of the 4th annual

Community Counseling Center's Supported Employment Services provides individual placement and support services to help people successfully find and maintain employment. The program guides and supports adults living with serious mental health conditions and substance use disorders to find and keep jobs, and can include helping explore educational or training opportunities. For more information on the Community Counseling Center's Supported Employment,

Prevention Spotlight - Lake Area Recovery Center (LARC) in Ashtabula is a comprehensive behavioral health organization committed to providing compassionate, client-centered care for individuals and families impacted by substance use and mental health disorders. They offer a full range of services, including residential treatment for men, women, and mothers with children, as well as outpatient and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). Their

On July 10th, 2025, the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board hosted a Family Fun Event at Lakeshore Park to kick off the newly forming Recovery Coalition. Around 50 people attended, enjoying a day filled with music, food, a bounce house, and a tie-dye station. The event brought together individuals and families in recovery from substance use disorder

OPPERATION BRIDGE DAY 2025 We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the behavioral health agencies, community organizations, and residents who participated in Operation Bridge Day. A big thank you to Lieutenant Helfer and Deputy Hermsdorfer of the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department, along with members of the Ashtabula County Crime Enforcement Agency, for participating in the event and helping to

Boosting Maternal Mental Health: Insights from Our Team & Ohio COE We're incredibly proud to highlight the impactful work of the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board! Christy Fisher was recently featured on the Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health's podcast, "Driving Maternal Mental Health Support Through Healthcare Partnerships – Season 3, Episode 5." In this podcast

During Pride Month, our MHRS Board members, Bridget Sherman and Christy Fisher, proudly participated in the Ashtabula Pride Event at Walnut Beach. Their presence highlighted our commitment to inclusivity and the profound significance of supporting the LGBTQ+ community. It was inspiring to witness such a strong display of solidarity and affirmation, which are essential for fostering mental wellness and reducing isolation