Community meetings on crisis services ‘exceed’ ADAMHS expectations; what comes next?

DAYTON — The Montgomery County Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) will host the last of their community meetings focused on crisis care.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘Very emotional issue;’ ADAMHS seeking public opinion on what services to implement

Thursday’s meeting was the last of three that were scheduled after their crisis care provider, RI International, terminated their contract with the county in May.

The goal of the meetings has been to get community input. ADAMHS wants to hear from people on what they want in a crisis mental health service provider and any feedback on the delivery of those services.

As shown on News Center 7 at 5:00, Xavier Hershovitz was at Thursday’s packed meeting where concerns from citizens and community leaders were heard.

“So just get rid of all the barriers and stop talking about what we ought to do and just do it,” Anthony Whitmore, of Dayton, said.

ADAMHS said this feedback is crucial.

>> RELATED: Crisis service provider ends services; Vote to approve new services in Montgomery County fails

“This listening tour has actually exceeded my expectations,” Helen Jones-Kelley, ADAMHS’ executive director, said.

Jones-Kelley said in each of the three meetings, they have been able to learn a lot. One thing is the importance of having many different voices at the table.

“They have ideas based upon their experience that we may not even put on the table sometimes,” she said. “So that’s the big priority.”

ADAMHS will now take all of the comments and concerns and create a group to help them figure out their next steps.

“It can’t just be the professionals in the community,” Jones-Kelley said. “It really needs the voices of other people who truly understand on a day-to-day basis.”

>> RELATED: County leaders pen letter criticizing handling of crisis service provider’s departure

In the meantime, the county is still without crisis care services. County commissioners recently rejected a proposal to fill that gap.

“Hopefully some of this process will also give our board team information that may make them feel comfortable revisiting this topic,” Jones-Kelley told News Center 7.

ADAMHS said they want to continue doing meetings like these on a variety of topic across the city to make sure they continue to meet people’s needs.

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