HISTORY
Formally launched in January 2003, the Mental Health Advocacy Coalition (MHAC) was organized to provide a unified voice addressing the continuous challenges to public policies and government funding of the mental health system. The MHAC provides a unique forum for interested organizations to share experiences, needs, and expectations of the mental health system; to set priorities and an agenda for change; and to speak with one voice on the public policies and funding issues that impact mental health. The MHAC is comprised of 70+ diverse organizations representing mental health agencies serving both adults and children; health and human service agencies; the faith-based community; education, government and advocacy organizations; major medical institutions; and the corporate arena.
back to top
VISION
We envision healthy and humane communities that recognize and understand mental health issues and enable citizens to access an effective and efficient system of outstanding mental health services.
The Mental Health Advocacy Coalition envisions itself as a place where diverse interests come together, speak with a common voice, and work towards guaranteeing for everyone access to quality services to treat, prevent, and recover from mental illnesses.
MISSION
The Mental Health Advocacy Coalition fosters education and awareness of mental health issues while advocating for public policies and strategies that provide an effective, well-funded mental health system that serves those in need, resulting in a stronger community.
back to top
CORE VALUES
The following core values guide the way we work and the relationships we build.
- Integrity
We promote an informed perspective on mental health issues and their impact on individuals, families, and communities.
- Respect and worth of all individuals
We educate about mental health issues because no one is immune to mental health challenges.
- Collarborative and inclusive
We welcome and bring diverse community stakeholders together to effect meaningful and comprehensive education and awareness about mental health and public policy issues impacting mental health.
- Centrality of individuals physical and mental health to a healthy community
We embrace the principle that individuals' physical and mental health and well-being are essential to a thriving community.
- High quality, appropriate, and diverse mental health services
Recognizing the far-reaching impacts of mental health issues, we advocate for the achievement of a vital and tangible mental health system that demonstrates adequate funding, innovation, breadth, and availability.
WHAT WE DO
The mental health crisis in Cuyahoga County and across Ohio revolves around critical funding challenges that are adversely impacting the community's ability to meet the demand for services for thousands of children, adults and older persons with mental health disabilities.
Insufficient state funding for mental health services is a major factor impacting mental health care for Ohioans. Ohio was 17th in per capita state mental health funding in the fiscal year of 1981; in 2005 it was 37th, and for the last 10 years has essentially been flat. County funding has also not kept up with the increased demand and cost of providing services to those locally. Over $42.7 million per year in County funding is currently needed to provide a minimally adequate mental health system in Cuyahoga County. In 2008, $27.6 million in County funding was provided to the Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board. Inadequate resources result in unmet critical needs. According to the 2003 Cuyahoga County Mental Health Assessment released by the Center for Community Solutions, the public mental health system is only able to serve 11 percent of the adults in Cuyahoga County with severe mental illness, 16 percent of children and adolescents ages 5-17, and six percent of persons 55 and older in need.
MHAC works to protect children, transitional youth, adults, older persons and special populations with mental illnesses from discrimination and expand mental health services to address the multiple needs of all consumers. To increase awareness, knowledge and understanding, MHAC advocates for increased education on mental health issues, the integration of mental health into general health care education and practices, and the support of mental health research and its dissemination.
The MHAC's 2009 - 2011 Strategic Goals are:
- Advocate for changes leading to an effective, efficient, and integrated mental health care system locally and statewide.
- Promote diversifying resources to support maintenance and improvements to the current system of mental health services delievery.
- Educate and inform the community and its membership about mental health, mental illness, and other relevant issues and opportunities.
- Develop the infrastructure and resources to ensure effective and efficient operations.
back to top
FULL LIST OF COALITION MEMBERS
Achievement Centers for Children
Adoption Network Cleveland
Adult Guardianship Services
Advocates for Budget Legislation Equality ( ABLE )
AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland
Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services Board of Cuyahoga County
Alliance of Child Caring Service Providers
Beech Brook
Bellflower Center for Prevention of Child Abuse
Benjamin Rose Institute
Berea Children's Home & Family Services
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cleveland
Bridgeway
Care Alliance Health Center
Catholic Charities Services Corporation
The Center for Community Solutions
Center for Families & Children
Children's Defense Fund - Ohio
Circle of Hope
City of Cleveland , Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Cleveland Christian Home
Cleveland Clinic/Behavioral Medicine/East
Cleveland Municipal Court
Cleveland Metropolitan Schools
Cleveland NAACP
Cleveland Psychological Association
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Community Assessment and Treatment Services
Community Behavioral Health
Community Care Network
Community Partners for Affordable, Accessible Health Care (CPAAHC)
Connections: Health. Wellness. Advocacy
Council of Agency Directors
Cuyahoga County Board of MR/DD
Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board
Domestic Violence Center
Eli Lilly and Co. Public Health Division
Emerald Development and Economic Network, Inc. ( EDEN )
Epilepsy Association
Far West Center
The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland
Help Me Grow Collaborative
Janssen Pharmaceutica
Jewish Family Service Association
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
Magnolia Clubhouse
Mental Health Services, Inc.
The MetroHealth System
Murtis Taylor Human Services System
NAMI Greater Cleveland
National Association of Social Workers- Ohio Chapter
Neighborhood Family Practice
New Directions
NEOACF/Group Home Association
Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare
Ohio AIDS Coalition
Parent to Parent Network
Parkway Pharmacy
Passion for Change
PLAN of Northeast Ohio, Inc.
Positive Education Program
Recovery Resources
Sisters of Charity Health System
Specialized Alternatives for Family and Youth
SPECTRUM of Supportive Services
St. Vincent Charity Hospital
Suicide Prevention Education Alliance
University Hospitals of Cleveland, Department of Psychiatry
Visiting Nurse Association
Voices for Ohio's Children
West Side Ecumenical Ministry
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
Windsor-Laurelwood Center for Behavioral Medicine
Wingspan Care Group
YWCA of Greater Cleveland
back to top
Our Funders
The MHAC thanks the following funders for their generous support:
Eva L. and Joseph M. Bruening Foundation
Cleveland Foundation
Community West Foundation
The George Gund Foundation
The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation
Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation
Saint Luke's Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio
Woodruff Foundation
back to top
back to the homepage
|
