GC-MHRS Annual Meeting Highlights Creative Arts Program for First Responders
Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (GC-MHRS) - June 17, 2026
Meeting Details: GC-MHRS Board held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 6:00 pm at the Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024. This meeting was in person only with no recording available. The agenda was available through a request to Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater by email at tslater@geauga.org and at the meeting.
Public Comment Policy: No formal policy but in practice, public comment is permitted at the end of the meeting.
Board Members Attending: Chair Steven Oluic, Vice Chair Kathy Johnson, Secretary Jimmy Lee Holden, Treasurer Reba Dykes; Board Members: Chris Alusheff, Michael Petruziello, Pat Varanese, Mary Ruth Shumway, and Doug Lundblad
Staff Members Attending: Executive Director Christine Lakomiak, Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater, and Clinical/Compliance Manager Michelle Maneage
Others Attending:
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Agency Representatives: Michelle Bertman, Lake Geauga Recovery Center (LGRC), Andrea Gutsko (WomenSafe), Brittain Paul (Ravenwood Health), Mary Wynne-Peaspanen (Signature Health), Barb Contorno (Red Tulip), and Tia Lawrence (Torchlight)
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Community Members: none identified
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Press: None identified
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Guest speakers: Elizabeth Bolander, Executive Director, and Brittany Armstrong, Creative Arts Therapies Director, Fairmount Center for the Arts
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This LWVG Observer
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There may have been one or two others present who did not sign in.
I. Call to Order, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance - The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. Roll call and Pledge of Allegiance occurred as listed on the agenda.
II. Minutes: Minutes from the May 20, 2026 Regular Meeting were approved.
III. Chairman’s Report - Dr. Oluic reported:
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This is the Annual Meeting of the Board, as the fiscal year ends June 30, 2026. This is the last meeting for some Board members. Generally, the Board recognizes those leaving at this (June) meeting. This year they will be recognized in August, as it is unclear who will be reappointed and who will be leaving. Nevertheless, appreciation was expressed to those whose terms are ending.
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Outdoor digital sign is coming in the next couple months.
IV. Executive Director’s Report - Director Lakomiak discussed the following:
State Updates:
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State Opioid Settlement (SOS) Carryover is available. Ms. Maneage sent notices to all the agencies. This is for medication-assisted treatment, recovery housing, as well as Community and Family Resiliency programs. Agencies must apply by June 24. This can cover services GC-MHRS could not fund. Agencies are encouraged to apply as this is an opportunity to draw down Federal Funds instead of using local levy funds. However, there is a very short turn around to apply and only 3 months (July 1 to September 30) to spend any funds that are received.
Local Updates
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The GC-MHRS Board has stood against the homestead and/or property tax exemption. The GC-MHRS Board met in October and decided unanimously not to support this additional exemption. Director Lakomiak was asked to send a letter to the Commissioners at that time, which she did. In November the County Commissioners voted not to move forward. The issue is back on the Commissioners’ agenda. It would result in a reduction of $106,243.24 in the GC-MHRS budget. Discussion took place about what actions to take. Allocations have already been made for the next year. It would result in over $7 million loss to the county government. The Board asked Director Lakomiak once again to submit a letter to the County Commissioners restating their objection to the exemption, with the caveat recognizing that the elderly need help. The State of Ohio has pushed funding to the county level. There was a unanimous voice vote to send a letter reiterating the Board’s position against the exemption. Reviewer Note: At the June 23, 2026 BOCC meeting, the Commissioners agreed not to proceed with the “piggyback” property tax exemptions.
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No digital sign yet.
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Suicide and Accidental Deaths in 2026: There were 2 suicides in April. There have been 4 in total from January to May 2026. There has been 1 overdose death through May 2026. The Sheriff conducted 12 well checks in May. Ages ranged from 8 to 75 years old. All lived. The latest 2 suicides (from April) have not yet been reviewed by the Suicide Fatality Reveiw Board. Mr. Lundblad commented that one recent suicide was a 20 year old, home from 2 years of college. The Review Board will look at circumstances and services received for all as part of the review process. Mr. Lundblad stated there is increased concern for young adults. So far this year, Geauga County suicides have been 100% male. Statewide, the percentage is 80% male. Kudos were offered to Geauga’s Suicide Prevention Coalition which is lead by Ms. Maneage. They look at trends and tailor interventions based on what is learned by the Fatality Review process. For example, learning last year that many suicides take place in parks led to the campaign to put 988 signs in the local parks. The new website is geaugalives.org.
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As discussed last month, there are changes in contacting crisis care. Copeline is being replaced by Safeline (for domestic violence and child abuse after hours) and 988, which are all available and coordinated. These logos and numbers were distributed widely to agencies, judges, commissioners and others with whom GC-MHRS is in contact via email. The email suggested posting the crisis numbers on websites, in email signatures, restrooms, newsletters and in lobbies. On the GC-MHRS website there is a short video that explains what happens when someone calls 988.
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New Brochures and Safeline cards have arrived and were distributed to Board members. They highlight the various agencies, 988 and Safeline.
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They are partnering with the Sheriff for the Hike, Drive, Bike the Trail event on Saturday August 8. It is under the One Geauga effort to increase engagement. The picnic, butterfly release and providers resource tables are at the end of the trail which is at Swine Creek: Bridge Road, Middlefield.
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Behavioral Health and First Responders Job Fair is tomorrow. Eighty job seekers are signed up. It will be held at Kent State Geauga campus.
V. Guest Speakers
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This was the Annual Meeting of the GC-MHRS Board. Guest speakers Elizabeth Bolander (Executive Director) and Brittany Armstrong (Creative Arts Therapy Center Manager) from Fairmount Center for the Arts were invited to highlight a new program for First Responders. Fairmount applied to receive State Opioid Settlement funds and was awarded a grant to pilot a First Responders Creative Arts Therapy program. Fairmount Center works with many partners in Geauga and Northeast Ohio.
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This program, “Supporting First Responders and Caregiver Professionals through Creative Arts Therapies,” is for Geauga County First Responders. It involves using arts as stress reduction. The various arts include movement, humor, and painting, among other techniques. Participants experience the arts together, which can break down isolation and reduce stress. Movement therapy can include dance, mirroring a co-worker's movements, and breath work.
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So far they are working with the County Sheriff, Chardon Fire, and University Hospitals Geauga to create customized experiences. Examples of goals include reducing stress and helping staff connect with one another.
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Ms. Armstrong led the Board and those in attendance through several mini-interventions to demonstrate the kinds of Creative Arts Interventions the program uses. They use a variety of modalities including: kinesthetic empathy experiences, mirror movement, breath work, silence, reflection, how it feels to be seen (some like to be invisible), painting, and more.
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They are hoping to add a fourth Geauga County First Responder group and are also considering offering similar services to veterans with an additional grant.
VI. Board Review of Action Items
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Resolution 26-06-01 Problem Gambling and Addiction Services Allocation
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GC-MHRS has received an allocation of $30,747.00 from the Ohio BH for SFY2027. The allocation of $30,747.00 is awarded to Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers (LGRC) for the provision of treatment and prevention services. LGRC will use these funds to provide prevention and education services, and screening and treatment services to those individuals experiencing problem/pathological gambling, and/or other addictions, including those individuals who may be "at risk" for developing these conditions.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
B. Resolution 26-06-2 Specialized Docket Allocation to Geauga Court of Common Pleas
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The GC-MHRS has worked collaboratively with the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas to establish the Geauga County Drug Court. The GC-MHRS Board has received an allocation in the amount of $75,000.00 for SFY2027 from Ohio BH to help fund the Geauga County Drug Court, operated by the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas. GC-MHRS allocates $75,000.00 to the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas for the purpose of operating the Geauga County Drug Court.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous
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Financial Reports
Mr. Mausser was absent. Dr. Oluic reported the May totals as follows:
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The Board SFY2026 (7/1/25-6/30/26) office budget is through May and 86.7% of the budget was expended.
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The County calendar year (1/1/26-12/31/26) Budget Performance Report shows just over $2.94 million was expended through May.
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The Auditor's Fund Balance: The May Unencumbered Balance is just over $2.32 million.
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Voucher recap #719 for May is $470,598.97.
VII. Old Business
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Ms. Shumway asked if there is a line item for additional housing since TLC is now up and running. Director Lakomiak responded yes, there are 2 line items: Small Project Construction and Capital Reserves. It will be for the Board to discuss whether there is a desire to do a new project. It would take time to plan. Consensus seems to be to use these funds for some kind of capital project. The board can look at what comes next after the success of the TLC expansion. Ms. Shumway restated that there is still a great need for housing. This can be explored by the Board. Nothing definitive is planned as yet.
VIII. New Business
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Dr. Oluic reported that the property tax abolishment amendment is off the table for now because the signatures collected fell short of the amount needed. He cautioned that they need to be cognizant of how this would affect the GC-MHRS Board should property taxes be eliminated in the future. Reviewer Note: More information is available in this Cleveland.com article.
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GC-MHRS will be at the Geauga County Fair again this year. They have been invited to be part of the Bell Tower. He noted that it was difficult to staff fully the whole time. There are no plans yet for this year’s Fair.
IX. Public Comments:
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Andrea Gutsko (WomenSafe) thanked the Board for their support for ongoing education for their staff members including a new clinician going through EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy) certification. She also thanked the Board for help with vendors coming up with new logos needed for 988 marketing. She said Ms. Maneage was very helpful. WomenSafe is having an event on July 22 at Cowboy Bar and Grill in Bainbridge. The theme is Christmas in July. Details are on the WomenSafe website.
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Michelle Bertman (LGRC) announced their golf outing is on Monday, June 22. She also thanked the Board for their support.
X. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 pm.
Board Minutes: Available at https://www.geauga.org/board-minutes/.
Next meeting: The next meeting will be the Regular Meeting on August 19, 2026 at 6:00 pm. Meetings are held at the Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Rd., Chardon, OH 44024.
More Information: https://www.geauga.org/
Observer: Kathy Franz
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: June 26, 2026
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