$9 Million Grant Awarded to Clermont County to Help Children In Need

Immediate Release
October 12, 2009

Batavia, Ohio. “This is a great day for Clermont County children and their families,” said Clermont Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) Director Tim McCartney. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has selected the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB) as one of 19 agencies from across the country to receive multi-million dollar grants to develop and expand care systems for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances, and provide support to their families. “The MHRB will receive an almost $9 million grant to expand programs to help young people, between the ages of 3 and 21, with emotional and behavioral problems,” said Clermont MHRB Director Karen Scherra. “It is the largest grant we’ve ever received!” The grant was submitted, in collaboration with the Clermont DJFS, Family and Children First, Clermont Juvenile Court, and other local providers and child-service agencies.

“This grant comes at a time when our agency and many of our partner agencies are experiencing budget cuts and are concerned about the impact service cuts will have on the children and families they serve,” said Scherra. “This grant will enable us to meet some of those needs, providing new and enhanced services. Our goal is to intervene early when a child has mental health issues that, if left untreated, could lead to severe problems later in life.”

The grant monies will be divided over six years. “The first year of the grant will focus on strategic planning, hiring around 29 administrative and clinical staff members, and training new and current staff members,” said Scherra. “Ten additional staff members are expected to be hired as the program moves forward.”

“All children and families deserve to receive the services they need, when and where they need them, and to be on a “fast track” to success,” said Family and Children First Project Director Gretchen Behimer. The so-called FAST TRAC strategy will be utilized to provide additional screening, consultation, and treatment of mental health problems for children in preschools and daycare facilities. It will also enhance school-based and home-based prevention and treatment services, provide specialized treatment services for youth (aged 16 to 21), and include respite and other support for families.

“This grant will enable us to better serve the children and families in this county and to address behavioral and mental health issues early, before they result in lifelong problems,” said McCartney.

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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathryn Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.