ADAMH Board of Trustees approves actions to reduce budget by over $11 million

Aug 25, 2009

The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board (ADAMH) of Franklin County Board of Trustees approved three actions totaling more than $11 million in reductions through 2010 at its August board meeting. The following reductions were approved:

1.For the reminder of calendar year 2009, a 5.6 percent reduction in contract services, which amounts to just over $3 million.

2.For calendar year 2010, a reduction of $7.8 million in contract services. These reductions include targeted provider cuts ($1.6 million) and the remaining reductions ($6.2 million) factor in an agency\'s geographic location, population served and provider performance.

3.For calendar year 2010, a seven percent reduction to the ADAMH Board’s Administrative budget, totaling $444,533.

“When the Governor signed the new budget bill for State Fiscal Years 2010 – 2011, he signed a bill that cut our state funding by over 40 percent,” said Dr. Jill Steuer, ADAMH Board of Trustee chair. “We are left with no choice but to decrease our spending for mental health treatment, alcohol and substance abuse treatment and prevention services in our community.”

“Even during these times of reduction, ADAMH remains committed to you as taxpayers and will continue to invest 95 cents of every dollar to direct mental health, substance abuse and prevention services,” said Steuer.

“During this economic crisis, unfortunately, we cannot be everything to everyone. The ADAMH Board of Franklin County was established to be, and will continue to be, the safety net for our most vulnerable, in-need citizens to meet their behavioral healthcare needs, said ADAMH CEO David Royer.

ADAMH is Franklin County’s authority for planning, funding and evaluating mental health, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment services. ADAMH-funded services are provided by a local network of more than 40 not-for-profit providers and offered on a sliding-fee scale, making them affordable for any county resident, regardless of income. For more information, visit the ADAMH Web site at www.adamhfranklin.org.

Press Contacts
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or Aimee Shadwick
Phone: (614) 222-3767