$2.5 Million from State Budget for New Portage Behavioral Health Urgent Care

Ohio State Representative Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) delivered a check in the amount of $2.5 million to the Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB) of Portage County and Coleman Health Services to support a new behavioral health urgent care facility in Ravenna.

The project entails a combination of extensive renovation and new construction activities to improve the usage of the existing mental health Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and add a secure Drop-Off and 23-Hour Observation Unit to the facility at Coleman’s Lovers Lane location. This model can be replicated statewide and will ease some of the strain on our first responders and emergency rooms.

“Our community should have ability to respond to those in need of mental health services,” said Pavliga. “Countless individuals and families will benefit from this funding. I look forward to the groundbreaking and appreciate our ongoing partnership to help Ohioans.”

Coleman President and CEO Hattie Tracy added, “This urgent care will be a multi-bed unit in a safe, comfortable, neighborhood setting where clients can stay for up to two weeks. Upon release, they can be referred to a less restrictive outpatient service where they can continue on their treatment path and reach their recovery goals.”

Finally, John Garrity, PhD. and Executive Director of the Portage County MHRB, said, “the Mental Health and Recovery Board has a long history of partnership with Coleman Health Services, and this project is another example of that. The facility is greatly needed in our community.”

Founded in 1978, Coleman offers comprehensive behavioral health, substance use, residential, and rehabilitation services in 33 Ohio counties. The Portage County MHRB has the responsibility for seeing that services and facilities are available locally for treatment of adults, teens and children with mental illness and addiction.