The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County is responsible for the planning, funding and monitoring of public mental health and addiction treatment and recovery services delivered to the residents of Cuyahoga County. Under Ohio law, the ADAMHS Board is one of 50 Boards coordinating the public mental health and addiction treatment and recovery system in Ohio.
The Board is a quasi-independent part of county government, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board contracts with provider agencies to deliver services that assist clients on the road to recovery.
William M. Denihan to Retire July 31, 2017
Monica Robins, WKYC-TV Senior Health Correspondent, recently interviewed Mr. Denihan about his career and legacy. Click here to see the interview.
“Chief Denihan has led a long and distinguished career in public service which has included his extraordinary leadership of the ADAMHS Board for the past 15 years,” stated Eugenia Kirkland LSW, MSSA, CDCA, Chair of the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County. “His dedication to individuals and families living with mental illness and addiction has been evident every day of his service to the Board and the community.”
Ms. Kirkland further expressed that Mr. Denihan’s career with the ADAMHS Board includes many noteworthy accomplishments, including the merger of the Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board (CCCMHB) and the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Cuyahoga County that culminated with the creation of the ADAMHS Board on July 1, 2009.
“Working in government for over 35 years at the time of the consolidation I can tell you that opportunities for change are few and far between,” expressed Mr. Denihan as he reflected upon his accomplishments with the Board. “Both Boards had the desire to work with the community and each other and take the necessary steps to plan a thorough and successful process that saved $4.4 million in administrative, personnel and facility costs that were redirected back into services.”
Through his leadership beginning with the CCCMHB in 2002, the Board has weathered many financial ups and downs, including state and county budget cuts to the awarding of federal grants and increased funding from the County’s Health and Human Services levy. He also was instrumental in creating the Board’s Client Art Program that recognizes the importance of art in the recovery process. Other accomplishments include expansion of the Board’s involvement in every stage of criminal justice, including diversion, incarceration and community re-entry, fighting for mental health insurance parity in the State of Ohio that became a reality in 2006 and the creation of Seasons of Hope -- a safe house for women living with addictions who can seek help with no questions asked – as a response to the Imperial Avenue tragedies of 2009.
More recent accomplishments include his leadership as Chair of the Mental Health Response Advisory Committee (MHRAC) which is a component of the Settlement Agreement between the City of Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that addresses concerns about the Cleveland Division of Police use-of-force policies and practices. The City of Cleveland selected the ADAMHS Board to establish the MHRAC and assist with the Police Crisis Intervention Program. He is also striving to develop a dedicated levy to raise much needed funding to meet the continuing demand for mental health and addiction services in Cuyahoga County and find a solution to the current heroin tsunami that is plaguing our community.
ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County Announces
New CEO
The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County formally announces its unanimous decision to select
Valeria A. Harper, MA, CDCA, as the organization’s
Chief Executive Officer effective August 1, 2017. Ms. Harper follows William M. Denihan, current CEO who will be retiring on July 31, 2017, to lead the organization.
“Ms. Harper was recommended as CEO to the full Board from the search committee that interviewed both internal and external candidates – all with stellar qualifications,” explains Eugenia Kirkland, LSW, MSSA, CDCA, Chair of the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County. “Ms. Harper is respected and trusted in the community-at-large and possesses the leadership and administrative qualities, as well as the passion, to lead the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County into the future.”
Click here to read the complete press release.
Click here for Ms. Harper's biography.
Monica Robins, WKYC-TV Senior Health Correspondent, recently interviewed Ms. Harper about the future of the ADAMHS Board as CEO. Click here to see the interview.
2017 Summer Training Institute Schedule
The ADAMHS Board is pleased to present its Summer 2017 Summer Training Institute Schedule.
Click here to review the Training Schedule.
SAVE THE DATE:
Roads to Recovery '17 Conference: October 23, 2017
Save the date for the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County
Roads to Recovery ’17: Heading in the Right Direction to Attain Mental Health and Addiction Recovery conference.
This biennial regional conference for clients of mental health services, individuals in treatment from addictions, family members, and providers of mental health and alcohol and other drug treatment/prevention services will be held
Monday, October 23, 2017, at the
Marriott Cleveland Airport on West 150th Street.
If you have any questions, please contact Tonya Birney, Training Officer, at 216-241-3400, ext. 813, or via e-mail at
birney@adamhscc.org.
Mental Health Response Advisory Committee 2016 Annual Report
In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Cleveland and the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, William M. Denihan, Edward Eckart, Jr., and Captain James Purcell, officially submitted the Mental Health Response Advisory Committee (MHRAC) 2016 Annual Report to the City of Cleveland and the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County on January 31, 2017. Mr. Denihan is the Chair of the MHRAC and Mr. Eckart and Captain Purcell are Co-Chairs
The Settlement Agreement between the City of Cleveland and the Department of Justice required that the MHRAC be developed by the City and the Cleveland Division of Police. The City selected the ADAMHS Board to assist with establishing and implementing the charge of the MHRAC. Click here for more information.
ADAMHS Board 2017 Client Artwork Display Program Now Accepting Applications!
This program showcases client artwork, highlights our provider agencies, recognizes the benefits of art therapy and celebrates the recovering community.
Individuals receiving mental health, addiction and/or recovery services in Cuyahoga County may display artwork in the Ohio Room at the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County for one month.
The ADAMHS Board will issue a $100 stipend to support participation (for individuals not involved with ADAMHS Board funded art therapy program).
For more information, contact 216-241-3400 ext. 814.
This program showcases client artwork, highlights our provider agencies, recognizes the benefits of art therapy and celebrates the recovering community.Individuals receiving mental health, addiction and/or recovery services in Cuyahoga County may display artwork in the Ohio Room at the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County for one month.The ADAMHS Board will issue a $100 stipend to support participation (for individuals not involved with ADAMHS Board funded art therapy program).For more information, contact 216-241-3400 ext. 814.
Recovery is Beautiful
Ohio’s community mental health and addiction services system is in the second year of a 5-year transition from a system that focuses on acute care to a Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) that focuses on recovery management to help individuals not only get well, but stay well.
This transition is called Recovery is Beautiful. The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County is the organization responsible for ensuring that this transition to the ROSC takes place in Cuyahoga County.
If you want to learn more about the ROSC click here.
Looking for Information on Heroin Addiction and Help?
Click here to watch a video of our Addiction Recovery Advocacy Meeting held on January 23, 2017. The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County hosts free meetings to create change in our community to reduce the number of lives lost to opiate/heroin/fentanyl addiction. These meetings are attended by recovery advocates, family members who have lost a loved one to addiction and professionals. We discuss how to change the public attitude about mental illness, addiction and recovery as well as new treatment and recovery programs and/or enhances to help individuals maintain long-term recovery.
Recovery Story Videos
Click here to watch recovery stories of Travis, Shelli, Toni and Tyler.
Click here for information on heroin and how to get help.
Download the brochure: Heroin: Now What?
Looking for a speaker about heroin addiction, treatment and recovery? Contact Tonya Birney, Training Officer at birney@adamhscc.org or 216-241-3400 ext. 813.
Problem Gambling & Resources 
The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County provides
Problem
Gambling information, warning signs and community resources on its website.
Click here or the icon to the left to be directed to the Problem Gambling page.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training
The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County is offering FREE Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training to physicians, healthcare workers, and other gatekeepers in Cuyahoga County to help prevent deaths by suicide and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
A gatekeeper is anyone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide.
QPR teaches three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
90% of people in a suicidal crisis will give some kind of warning of their intention to those around them.
For more information on QPR Training, click here.
24-Hour Suicide Prevention/Mental Health & Addiction Crisis Services
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide
call the 24-Hour Cuyahoga County Suicide Prevention Hotline operated by Frontline Service., Inc., at 216-623-6888.
24-hour Crisis Text "4HELP" to 741741. A live, trained crisis counselor will respond within five minutes. The crisis counselor helps you move from a hot moment to a cool calm to stay safe and healthy using effective active listening and suggested referrals – all through text message using Crisis Text Line’s secure platform.
Click the
Chat Icon to learn more about Crisis Chat or access the confidential and anonymous service that is available daily from 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The
Suicide Postvention Response Team serving Cuyahoga County responds to those most immediately affected by suicide loss.
The team of volunteers will provide timely response to survivors, a listening ear and information about local resources available to survivors.
FREE Online Behavioral Health Screenings -- With Video Doctor!
The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County is pleased to offer FREE and anonymous online screenings that feature
Video Doctor (for depression and alcohol screenings), an online tool that simulates a conversation with a doctor and guides a person through a series of questions about his/her emotional well-being and readiness to seek help.
Video Doctor launches after a person completes an online screening and
scores positive for having symptoms of depression or alcohol abuse.
We offer the following screenings:
- Alcohol Addiction (with Video Doctor)
- Depression (with Video Doctor)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- General Anxiety Disorder
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Brief Screen for Adolescent Depression
These screenings are anonymous and are not intended to be a diagnosis. The screening tools can help you identify signs that you or someone you know might have a mental health and/or addiction issue. The results only indicate that you may benefit from a professional consultation and services.
Click this link to access the screening program: http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening/ADAMHSCC
Please Note: The online screening program is an education initiative of Screening for Mental Health, Inc. (SMH), and all screenings are informational, not diagnostic. The online screenings, like the paper and pencil screenings held on SMH national screening days, are conducted anonymously and diagnoses and treatment recommendations are not provided. The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County is pleased to offer FREE and anonymous online screenings that feature (for depression and alcohol screenings), an online tool that simulates a conversation with a doctor and guides a person through a series of questions about his/her emotional well-being and readiness to seek help. launches after a person completes an online screening and for having symptoms of depression or alcohol abuse. - Alcohol Addiction (with Video Doctor) - Depression (with Video Doctor) - Bipolar Disorder - Eating Disorders - General Anxiety Disorder - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - Brief Screen for Adolescent Depression These screenings are anonymous and are not intended to be a diagnosis. The screening tools can help you identify signs that you or someone you know might have a mental health and/or addiction issue. The results only indicate that you may benefit from a professional consultation and services. Click this link to access the screening program: : The online screening program is an education initiative of Screening for Mental Health, Inc. (SMH), and all screenings are informational, not diagnostic. The online screenings, like the paper and pencil screenings held on SMH national screening days, are conducted anonymously and diagnoses and treatment recommendations are not provided.
Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone): Naloxone Saves Lives!
The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County supports MetroHealth's Project DAWN and is supporting the program with a $100,000 grant to help save lives from heroin overdoses. The grant will allow MetroHealth to buy 2,000 more naloxone kits.
Naloxone is an opiate blocker (antagonist) that can reverse the effects of an opiate overdose. Overdose deaths are especially common after an individual has had a period of sobriety, such as immediately after detoxification, upon leaving residential treatment, or when leaving jail or prison.
Naloxone is easily given to an unconscious patient as a nasal spray. It will not harm someone who is not experiencing an overdose. However, it has no effect on those who overdose on cocaine, methamphetamines, or alcohol.
Free Naloxone Kits are available to a person addicted to heroin and/or friends and family on a walk-in basis at the following locations:
Cuyahoga County Board of Health, 5550 Venture Dr., Parma, OH 44130
Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Circle Health Services (formerly The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland),
12201 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106
Tuesdays, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thomas F. McCafferty Health Center, 4242 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
City of Cleveland-EMS Headquarters, 1701 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland OH 44114
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ohio law contains a “Good Samaritan” clause that blankets prosecution of someone who gives naloxone to an overdosing person and then calls 9-1-1, even if the caller was using drugs, to eliminate the fear of calling for help. All first responders including police, firefighters and paramedics can also carry naloxone. Call 216-778-2100 for more information about Project DAWN.
Every person with opiate addiction and their families and friends should know about the potentially life-saving Project DAWN. Click here to download a Project DAWN flyer with contact information.
RX Drug Drop Program:
Click here to view a flyer about the Cuyahoga County Prescription Drug Drop-off Program, or visit www.sheriff.cuyahogacounty.us/rx or www.rxdrugdropbox.org.
Parking at the ADAMHS Board:
Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. All visitors must check-in at the blue Parking Attendant Booth located in the lot directly behind the building on the east side of West 26th Street.
Visitors are to inform the attendant that they are visiting the ADAMHS Board and will be directed to available parking spaces.
Free and metered parking is also available on the street.
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