The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, formally established on July 1, 2013, has released its Annual Report for 2013, which reflects more than a year's worth of work to consolidate the former Ohio Departments of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS) and Mental Health (ODMH).
Many stakeholders, staff and members of the public served by both agencies participated in the transition process. For Governor John R. Kasich and all staff members of OhioMHAS, this is an opportunity to focus on integrating addiction and mental health services into overall health care. The consolidated departments plan to improve access to quality services and build stronger partnerships among local boards, providers and myriad human services and health care systems that serve Ohioans.
The structure of the new agency reflects the integration that we seek. Topical areas are staffed by individuals with subject matter expertise from each of the former departments. This benefits both our customers and our partners. For example, a unified connection with law enforcement and the courts will enable those entities to address the unique challenges of both mental health and addiction more efficiently than managing initiatives separately.
To read the 2013 Annual Report, simply click HERE.