$90M Boost to Ohio's Mental Health & Addiction Crisis Services Announced by Rep. Baker

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) today announced the investment of $90 million to strengthen mental health and addiction crisis services across Ohio thanks to President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act. A total of 37 regional projects will receive funding through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS).  

“This funding will help to better prepare local communities in responding to those experiencing a behavioral health crisis, ultimately ensuring that people across Ohio have access to the care that they need,” said Rep. Baker.

These initiatives will address various gaps in local crisis systems, supporting projects such as short-term residential accommodations, behavioral health urgent care facilities, mobile crisis response teams, and infrastructural improvements."

Specifically, the funding will:

• Add more than 225 new residential beds for Ohioans in crisis;
• Establish five Behavioral Health Urgent Care clinics;
• Support two new Crisis Intervention and Observation units;
• Launch six new mobile crisis services teams;
• Assist with four technology upgrade projects;
• Support two crisis consultancy projects.