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

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Richard Dell’Aquila (D-Seven Hills) Monday announced the investment of $90 million to strengthen mental health and addiction crisis services across Ohio funded as a result of President 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).  

“Mental health and substance abuse are critical components of the homeless crisis across Ohio and the nation. The bipartisan support for this program will help make access more visible and available to Ohioans confronted with mental health or substance abuse issues. The aim is to help people of all ages in Ohio access the services they need to recover and improve their quality of life, right in their own communities,” said Rep. Dell’Aquila.

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.