Mental Health and Recovery Board Reports Rising Demand, Highlights November Levy Renewal

LEBANON, OH -- More Warren and Clinton County residents are seeking mental health services, while local behavioral health officials say expanded prevention programs and crisis-response efforts are helping people receive treatment without hospitalization.

Amy Fornshell, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board Serving Warren and Clinton Counties, presented an annual update to Warren County commissioners during their Aug. 25 work session.

Fornshell said more than 2,900 people received outpatient mental health treatment through the board’s system during fiscal year 2025, a 31% increase from the previous fiscal year. Among clients who completed evaluations using an outcome measurement tool, 60% showed overall clinical improvement.

The board is responsible for planning, funding, monitoring and evaluating the community behavioral health system in Warren and Clinton counties.

Fornshell said prevention efforts also continue to reach thousands of children and students. More than 6,100 young children in 421 classrooms were served through an early-childhood program designed to help child care providers better respond to behavioral health challenges and keep children in their child care settings.

Another 9,300 students at 13 schools participated in programs addressing substance-use prevention, suicide prevention, healthy relationships and life skills.

Access to treatment remains a major focus, Fornshell said. Depending on the service, wait times range from two to 19 days. The system also offers “open access,” allowing many people to receive an initial intake appointment within a day and typically begin seeing a clinician within about two weeks.

The board serves as a payer of last resort, helping make treatment available to people who are uninsured or underinsured so cost does not prevent them from seeking care.

Fornshell also highlighted the board’s mobile crisis response program, saying 62% of adult mobile crisis cases are resolved without hospitalization. Keeping people out of hospitals when appropriate, she said, can reduce pressure on both hospitals and the criminal justice system.

The board works with schools, courts, law enforcement, treatment providers and organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness to build what Fornshell described as a more sustainable behavioral health system.

Funding comes from a combination of state and federal sources and a local property tax levy. Fornshell said approximately 50% of the board’s revenue comes from the levy.

The current 1-mill, five-year levy has not increased since 2002 and is scheduled for renewal on the November ballot. Fornshell emphasized that the measure is a renewal and would not increase property taxes.

Tom Grossmann asked whether the approximately $7.45 million listed as local levy revenue represented collections from both Warren and Clinton counties. Fornshell said it did.

Commissioner Shannon Jones thanked Fornshell and the board for maintaining local capacity so residents can obtain needed services.

“I know you guys do this important work behind the scenes,” Jones said, adding that the work helps ensure people can get services within their own community.

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