The Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, in conjunction with
the Children’s Resource Center, has been awarded a $97,200 grant to help youth with mental illness and
addiction.The 12-month grant, which begins in July, will create a mental health/juvenile justice liaison
position for the county. The liaison will coordinate resources and treatment services in attempt to
prevent youths with mental illness and addiction from becoming involved with the criminal justice
system.The grant was given by Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and was announced
last month at the ADAMHS board meeting.According to the state, "A significant percent of
individuals incarcerated in county, local and regional jails have diagnosable mental illness and
addiction. The ability of jails to treats individuals with behavioral health disorders is limited.
Problems exist with access to psychiatric services, counseling and other evidence-based treatments in
many parts of the state."