1988

Ohio enacted the Mental Health Act of 1988.   At that time, services for individuals who were diagnosed as “severely mentally disabled” were established as a priority, but the focus of treatment shifted so that people who experienced mental illness could expect to be treated in the community much more often than in a hospital or other institution.  The emphasis moved away from decisions being made by the state to determinations made within local communities as to how best to serve an individual.  At that time a plan was initiated to close or merge many of the psychiatric hospitals operated by the State of Ohio and gradually to shift those dollars to the control of the local board.  In 1996 Fallsview Psychiatric Hospital closed its doors. 

1990

With the recognition that many people suffer with both mental illness and substance abuse, the Community Mental Health Board and Region Ten, the area’s Regional Council on Alcoholism, combined to form the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.  Elaborate plans were put in place to have the entities work together, rather than becoming rivals.  Even the presidency and vice-presidency of the new ADM Board was rotated so that one year the offices would be from the mental health constituency and the next year from the drug/alcohol system’s advocates.  To this day the ADM Board members and agency staff keep searching for new ways to manage treatment of those with co-occurring disorders.  Paul VanderSchie was the new board’s first Executive Director and remained in that position until 1998. 

1994

The ADM Crisis Center opened its doors so that regardless of whether a person was experiencing a chemical dependency or emotional crisis, they could go to the same location for assistance.  Located at the intersection of Olive and North Howard streets in Akron, assistance became available 24-hours a day.  As a true emergency facility for the ADM system, people are treated there or triaged to more appropriate locations.

1999

William R. Zumbar became the new Executive Director of the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.

2006

Ohio passed an insurance parity law making it more likely that insurance companies would also pay for treatment of those who have mental illness. 

2007

Donald C. Davies became the new Executive Director of the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.