Mental Health Trainings for Schools & Community

THE MENTAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY BOARD OF PORTAGE COUNTY AND KENT STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH RECEIVE FEDERAL GRANT TO IMPROVE AND SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH IN PORTAGE COUNTY SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY.

Through a 5-year, $625,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County will partner with Kent State University’s Center for Public Policy and Health in the College of Public Health to improve and support mental health in Portage County. The primary goals of the project are to provide mental health awareness trainings to teachers, administrators and staff in Portage County schools, create resource guides and referral mechanisms, and implement mental health stigma reduction campaigns. The project will also provide free trainings to community agencies and members annually.

Portage County schools partnering on the project include, Aurora, James A Garfield, Ravenna, Southeast, Waterloo, Crestwood, Kent City, Rootstown, Streetsboro, Windham, Bio-Med Science Academy, and Maplewood Career Center. Initial community partners include Portage Community Chapel, Reed Memorial Library, Portage Safety Council, 4H Ohio State Extension Office and Haven of Portage County. Coleman Professional Services, Children’s Advantage, Family and Community Services and Townhall II will be the primary behavioral health service providers for the project.

The project will be led by John Garrity and Karyn Kravetz at the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County, and Deric Kenne, Associate Professor, in the College of Public Health at Kent State University.