For Immediate Release: May 15, 2024
Contact:
Latoya Hunter Hayes, Chief of External Affairs
hunterhayes@adamhscc.org
216-296-3585
(Cleveland, Ohio) – More than 500 leaders from the local mental health, public and non-profit sectors gathered on May 13 for the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County annual meeting. The event included addresses by J. Robert Fowler, Ph.D., Board Chair, and Scott S. Osiecki, Chief Executive Officer, presentation of the Helping Hands Awards, acceptance of the 2023 Annual Report, a keynote speech from Dr. Joy DeGruy and an art show featuring 86 works from clients using art therapy as part of their healing process. View photos of the event on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
Click here to view a full photo gallery.
Each year, the ADAMHS Board convenes at its annual meeting to review the past year’s activities and also highlight members of the community who embody the Board’s mission. The Helping Hands Awards recognize individuals and organizations who have positively impacted the lives of people living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, and/or helped to alleviate stigma and bring awareness to important behavioral health issues in Cuyahoga County. The ADAMHS Board distributed six awards this year:
News 5 Cleveland WEWS: News 5 Cleveland shed light on important issues in our community including suicide and overdose prevention, mental health and crisis response and intervention, bringing attention to caregiver support and legislation regarding the legalization of marijuana.
Makanya "Ms. Mikki" Smith: Ms. Mikki's work as Executive Director of Taking Back Our Youth provides individualized crisis assistance, system navigation, peer support and advocacy services for youth and families with behavioral health or justice-related needs, especially related to mental health and substance use disorders.
Cleveland City Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority CEO Jeffery K. Patterson: Both individuals each received an award for their advocacy and willingness to train residents and staff in the use of naloxone and for installing emergency naloxone cabinets in CMHA facilities.
Youth Advocate Jason Rossi: Jason, a high school student who was born addicted to opioids, completed a school project on mental health and substance use disorders in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Drug Court.
Youth Advocate Lily Jade Goodwin: Also known as DJ Lily Jade, Lily hosted her own sock drive and inspires people around the country.
Dr. DeGruy, a nationally and internationally renowned researcher and educator provided a keynote speech, titled, ‘Be the Healing,’ which focused on the lasting impacts of slavery and systemic racism on contemporary society, particularly within the African American community.
View previous annual reports from the ADAMHS Board.
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