Training & Education
Activities aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use issues.
P.A.R.T. Conference: Offered annually in October, the Prevention, Awareness, Recovery & Treatment (P.A.R.T.) conference is open to the community and highlights current trends, available resources, and messages of hope.
QPR/Mental Health First Aid: The MHRS Board and Community Counseling Center provide free suicide prevention trainings such as Mental Health First Aid and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) to the community on an ongoing basis. Mental Health First Aid is an eight-hour course that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training provides the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. QPR is a 90-minute training on how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
CDCA Training Academy: Annually, the MHRS Board provides virtual training for those seeking to obtain the Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant Certificate. For more information on the CDCA Academy and additional trainings visit https://www.ashtabulamhrs.org/chemical-dependency-counselor-assistant/
Peer Recovery Supporter Training: Twice a year, the MHRS Board coordinates the 40-hour Peer Recovery Supporter training for those individuals who have lived experience with substance use or mental health disorders and would like to begin working in the treatment field as a Peer Supporter. For more information on what a Peer Recovery Supporter is, or to learn about upcoming trainings, visit: https://www.ashtabulamhrs.org/certified-peer-recovery-supporters-cprs-training/
Prevention Services
Programs designed to prevent the onset of mental health and substance use disorders. The MHRS Board Contracts with Community Counseling Center to provide Certified Prevention Services in schools and the community utilizing evidence-based programs like PAX BGB & Tools, the vaping prevention program Catch My Breath, and Boys Council & Girls Circle, among others. The MHRS Board also coordinates multiple coalitions including the Substance Awareness Leadership Team, Prevention Coalition, and Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Crisis Intervention
Immediate support for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. The MHRS Board is responsible for ensuring crisis services are available, contracting with many providers such as Help Network of Northeast Ohio managing the 988 Crisis Hotline and Signature Health’s Mobile Crisis Team that assists law enforcement encountering behavioral health crises in the community to help de-escalate potentially volatile situations and connects individuals with appropriate care, rather than arrest or incarceration. The MHRS Board also assists with funding crisis beds at Ashtabula Regional Medical Center for those who qualify when beds are not available at the State Psychiatric Hospital.
Treatment Services
A variety of therapies and interventions for mental health and substance use disorders. Inpatient/Outpatient Services: The MHRS Board serves as a “payor of last resort” and contracts with many treatment agencies to ensure services such as case management, therapy, group treatment, psychiatry, detox services, and residential treatment are available for our County’s most vulnerable residents.
Recovery Supports
Services that help individuals in their recovery journey. Helping those in recovery STAY in recovery is a top priority of the MHRS Board.
Recovery Housing: Certified Recovery Housing provides individuals in recovery with an alcohol and drug-free living environment. The MHRS Board assists in rental costs for a predetermined length of time as the residents maintain treatment and work to secure employment.
For more information on Certified Recovery Houses in Ashtabula County: rhsearch.mha.ohio.gov.
Supported Employment: Community Counseling Center’s Supported Employment 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.
Guardianship/Payeeship: Catholic Charities’ Guardianship and Payeeship Programs provide trained staff to serve as compassionate legal guardians and/or legal payees for adults with severe and persistent mental illness who may need additional support to maintain their safety and well-being.
Continuum of Care Housing Voucher: The MHRS Board is a long-term recipient of the HUD Continuum of Care grant, which is administered by Coleman Professional Services. It provides housing vouchers to unhoused individuals and families in Ashtabula County who have a diagnosed mental illness and are active in treatment. This critical resource significantly helps to reduce homelessness in our community.
Criminal Justice Services
Interventions and programs that address the intersection of mental health, substance use, and the criminal justice system. Specialized Dockets: The MHRS Board receives state and federal funding to help support Ashtabula County’s Specialized Dockets (Ashtabula County Juvenile Court’s Family Drug Court, Ashtabula Municipal Court’s Recovery Court, Conneaut Municipal Court’s Renewal Court and Eastern County Court’s Veterans Court.)
Jail-Based Services: Signature Health provides a Jail Case Manager to assist with linking inmates to services and supports upon release from jail. A Forensic Case Manager is also in place to help ensure those who are leaving jail are successful in following through with treatment, obtaining recovery supports, and reducing reincarceration.
Access Manager: Through the Ashtabula County Adult Probation Department, the Access Manager coordinates immediate referrals to treatment, recovery housing, food pantries, and other recovery supports and follow-up to help each individual they serve reach success in their recovery journey. Criminal Justice Services.
Forensic Services: The Forensic Psychiatric Center of Northeast Ohio is contracted by the MHRS Board to provide the adult and juvenile criminal courts with an array of forensic evaluations including competency to stand trial.
