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 in Northeast Ohio . The MHAC provides a unique opportunity for interested community groups to share, set an agenda and speak with one voice for mental health issues. Representatives from more than 70 diverse organizations representing mental health providers, philanthropy, nonprofit, business, educational, religious and government organizations make up the MHAC.
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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 county mental health system that serves those in need, resulting in a stronger community.
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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 2002 it was 35th. County funding has also not kept up with the increased demand and cost of providing services to those locally. 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 has developed a two-year Issue Agenda designed to achieve the following:
- Preserve and enhance funding for mental health services
- Support delivery and expansion of care by modifying government policies
- Support systems of care that address the multiple needs of all consumers
- Increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of mental health issues
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FULL LIST OF COALITION MEMBERS
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
Applewood Centers, Inc.
Beech Brook
Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau
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
City of Cleveland , Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Cleveland Christian Home
Cleveland Clinic/Behavioral Medicine/East
Cleveland Municipal Court
Cleveland Metropolitan School Districit
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
KidzHealth 2020
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
Magnolia Clubhouse
Mental Health Services, Inc.
The MetroHealth System
Murtis H. Taylor Multi-Service Center
NAMI Greater Cleveland
National Association of Social Workers- Ohio Chapter
Neighborhood Family Practice
Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare
Ohio AIDS Coalition
Parent to Parent Network
Parkway Pharmacy
PLAN of Northeast Ohio, Inc.
Positive Education Program
Recovery Resources
Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland
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
YWCA of Greater Cleveland
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Our Funders
The MHAC thanks the following funders for their generous support:
Eva L. and Joseph M. Bruening Foundation
Cleveland Foundation
The George Gund Foundation
Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation
Saint Luke's Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio
Wal-Mart Foundation
Woodruff Foundation
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