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Transitional Living Center Ribbon Cutting May 1 at 1:00 pm,

Appointment of Chris Alusheff as New Board Member

Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (GC-MHRS) - April 15, 2026 

Meeting Details: GC-MHRS Board held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 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.

Observer Note: There was no meeting in March 2026.

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, and Pat Varanese.

Absent: Doug Lundblad and Mary Ruth Shumway. 

Staff Members Attending: Executive Director Christine Lakomiak, Finance Director Jim Mausser,  Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater, and Clinical/Compliance Manager Michelle Maneage.

Others Attending:

• Agency Representatives: Michelle Bertman (Lake Geauga Recovery Center-LGRC), Lynn Berner (Catholic Charities), Andrea Gutsko (WomenSafe), Paul Bolino (Ravenwood Health), Mary Wayne-Peaspanen (Signature Health), and Angi Daugherty (Family Pride)

• Community Members: This LWV-Geauga Observer and fellow LWV Geauga representative Janice Katz. 

• Press: None identified

• 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. Board Appointment of Chris Alusheff by the Geauga County Commissioners - Director Lakomiak administered the oath. Mr. Alusheff introduced himself. He lives in Aquilla Village in Claridon Township.  He works in Claridon Township Zoning and has several businesses. Chris has lived in Geauga County for 8 years and was looking for ways to get involved. His term expires June 30, 2026.  Reviewer Note: See Public Comment section for more information about this appointment. 

III. Minutes: Minutes from the February 18, 2026 Regular Meeting were approved. 

IV. Chairman’s Report - Dr. Oluic reported:

• Great progress on Transitional Learning Center (TLC). All done for all intents and purposes. The ribbon cutting will be May 1, 2026. 

V. Executive Director’s Report - Director Lakomiak discussed the following:

• Welcome to Chris Alusheff. He and Director Lakomiak have already had two meetings. The first to get to know each other and a second meeting to complete board orientation.  Director Lakomiak took the opportunity to update the board orientation process. 

Local updates

• The Requests for Information (RFIs) have come in. RIFs are the written responses providers submit if they wish to be considered to provide services in SFY2027.  The next step is for  GC-MHRS staff to review and approve or reject the proposals, the same procedure as in the past. RFIs are new this year, replacing the longer Requests for Proposals (RFPs).  A change in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) allowed this option.  This year, responses were limited to current providers. 

• The Annual Meeting will be in June. The plan is to have it in the GC-MHRS Board Room and keep it simple, similar to last year with presentations and opportunities to hear from some providers. An Annual Meeting is required. 

• No Board meeting is scheduled in July.

• Several months ago, it was approved to address issues with the MHRS Office. The latest update indicated that reported problems with the generator, gutters, roof issues, bathrooms, cracks in walls, fresh paint (was 35 years old) have all been resolved. 

• Credit Card. In March, Governor DeWine approved that MH boards could have a credit card. The policy for credit card use has been written.  It was not easy to find a bank to issue the card, but the process is now complete and the credit card has been issued. 

• Board member insurance.  This topic came up in February and Board Members asked if it was necessary to purchase this as Board Members are bonded through the County. Director Lakomiak received clarification that this insurance is required in spite of bonding by the county. 

• The Budget Commission hearing was April 6 and the Budget Commission approved the budget. Reviewer Note: See the April 6, 2026 Budget Commission LWVG Observer Report for details. There was discussion about the Capital Reserves Fund. It was agreed that moving forward GC-MHRS will have a 5-10 year Facilities Assessment plan which will help planning for the Capital Reserves Fund. Mr. Mausser and Director Lakomiak have already begun assessing potential future needs. For example, the office HVAC is 35 years old. Mr. Alusheff asked who will be doing the assessments. Director Lakomiak responded, “We are looking at getting 3 quotes regarding the three buildings that MHRS owns.” 

• For several months the Board has been waiting for the installation of an outdoor digital sign. Mr. Petruziello asked, “where do we stand with the sign?” Staff met last week with the vendor and made some changes. It is still moving along. The landscaping is done. 

• The Grand Opening for the Transitional Learning Center will be May 1 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. All are encouraged to attend.

• Michelle Bertman is the new President and CEO of Lake Geauga Recovery Center. She was with Catholic Charities previously. She was congratulated on her new position.

• The Impact Report for Fiscal Year 2025 has been distributed in the community.  Copies are available at the Board office.

• 988 in the Parks Campaign Update. Director Lakomiak has reached out to Township trustees, First Responders and Park staff.  She has received a great reception in the community. There are now 119 signs in the community. People have become engaged, often taking the reins, mounting the signs and feeling ownership.  The MHRS Board was asked to present this project as a Successful Environmental Prevention Campaign at The Ohio Prevention and Professional Association Annual Conference.  

• Suicides and Overdose report.  No suicides or overdoses in March. There may have been one in April but they do not have those stats yet. 

• Critical Incidents: Police and Mobile Crisis calls.  In March there were 11 calls with serious welfare issues and a very serious threat of suicide. All were taken to treatment and none resulted in suicide.  The coordination with law enforcement and crisis teams has been significant.  

• Opioid Settlement Award. The County Commissioners have opioid settlement money and have asked MHRS to review RFPs and make funding recommendations. The Commissioners will make the final decision.  $100,000 was put out for bid.  Red Tulip ($25,000), Fairmount Center for the Arts ($22,000)  and Chardon Municipal Court ($30,0000  have been approved for funding. Reviewer note: Per the Board of County Commissioners Meeting Observer Report for April 7, 2026, Fairmount Center’s funding is for support for First Responders. 

• The Board received a grant for a $139,000 award for Recovery Houses. These are Recovery Houses that are already in the community.  This award means Service Providers will not have to request  levy dollars to fund these houses. 

• Medical Necessity Audits. This is done annually.  The auditors reviewed 14,000 cases and 100 charts. The payback was $0.  Feedback included: all charts met requirements and the individual service plans were strong and showed client involvement. Some recommendations were made around supervision and intake documentation (1 program) which will guide work going forward. 

• The Sheriff's office pursued and was awarded funding to hold a Behavioral Health and First Responders Job Fair: From Crisis to Care on June 18. Director Lakomiak noted that it is unique for law enforcement (First Responders) and behavioral health to work together this way. 

• Board staff have been doing some work (partnering with the Farm Bureau) aimed at increasing awareness of available services.  As a follow up, there will be a May post card campaign.  May is MH Awareness month.  In Geauga County, there are 850 in the farming community, not including Amish Farms. 

• Geauga POD (Points of Dispensing) Squad Game was held February 19, 2026 at the MHRS Board office. This is part of Crisis Management preparedness led by Geauga Public Health. Games included a table top exercise, sharing resources and preparing for a coordinated response in the event of a crisis.   Geauga Public Health felt it was important to include Behavioral Health in the response. 

• Crisis Intervention Training (CIT): 10 new first responders. 

• Safeline. GC-MHRS has championed the 988 line since it began. As of July 1, the funding will come from the State.  WomenSafe and JFS will continue to use 988 after hours.  For decades Geauga has had a central phone number for crisis response and for information and referral. What has been known as Copeline is now being rebranded to Safeline to make clear it is a resource for crisis care. The phone number is well known to First Responders and Child Welfare staff. It will remain unchanged:  440-285-5665, 888-285-5665.  The Safeline is funded with local dollars. The two lines (988 and Safeline) will both be promoted for crisis care such as: suicide prevention, domestic violence and child welfare. Ravenwood will host both lines. The Safeline phone sits right next to the 988 phone. 

• Geauga Lives is the Suicide Prevention Coalition website. It connects to education, prevention, stories, and videos. It is a resource folks can come back to again and again. It is specific to Geauga County and is updated frequently. For each domain, someone with lived experience has reviewed each section.  The Coalition received funding for 1,000 magnets to promote the website. 

VI. Board Review of Action Items  

1. Resolution 26-04-1 Reimbursement  to Geauga Safety Center 2nd Half SFY2026

Am.Sub. H.B. No. 4 9 established the psychotropic drug reimbursement program to provide reimbursement for the cost of psychotropic drugs that are dispensed to inmates of county jails in Ohio. This statutory provision requires that the program be administered by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (OhioDBH).  OhioDBH has provided advance funding for the Geauga County Sheriff's Office prescriptions for the 2nd half of SFY2026. Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services (Board) shall be reimbursed the amount of $25,671.00. It is resolved: The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services shall distribute to the Geauga County Safety Center $25,671.00 for payment of psychotropic medications administered to inmates for the 2nd half of SFY2026. Reviewer Note: Learn more about psychotropic medications here.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous

1. Resolution 26--04-2 WomenSafe Additional Allocation Request for SFY2026

The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services has received a request from WomenSafe for an additional allocation of $3,000.00 for Mental Health Counseling in SFY2026.  WomenSafe will utilize all Board allocated funds for Board approved purposes before the end of SFY2026.  Board has reviewed said request and recommends an additional allocation of $3,000.00 to WomenSafe for Mental Health Counseling during SFY2026. The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services allocates an additional $3,000.00 to WomenSafe to provide Mental Health Counseling to Geauga County residents in SFY2026.

Director Lakomiak reminded the Board that WomenSafe and MHRS anticipated this being a potential shortfall earlier this year. The overrun is for counseling.  Director Lakomiak stated they anticipate being underspent in other areas which will offset this expense. Mr. Petrizullio asked if this would be enough.  Ms. Gutsko said it would be.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous

1. Resolution  26-04-3 Recovery Housing Program Grant Award

The  Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services has a grant award of $139,636.00 for April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, from the Ohio Department of Development for recovery housing operations. The funds are to be used for rental subsidies for individuals in recovery with incomes at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), for up to 2 years. Ravenwood Health, Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers, and Red Tulip Project of Geauga Recovery Housing Programs meet the requirements stipulated by the Ohio Department of Development for the aforementioned grant award. The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services allocates the 139,636.00 of the Recovery Housing Program grant for the above mentioned purposes.

Mr. Alusheff asked, “ Are these the only qualified recovery housing units in Geauga?” Director Lakomiak believes they are the only ones but she will verify. New rules require that the Mental Health Board be informed when a Recovery House has become certified. She has not been informed of any others at this point. 

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Unanimous 

1. Cybersecurity Policy

This policy establishes the cybersecurity program of the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services (Board), designed to safeguard data, information technology systems, and IT resources to ensure availability, confidentiality, and integrity of information. This policy supports compliance with Ohio Revised Code Section 9.64 and aligns with recognized cybersecurity frameworks. 

Discussion: In developing this policy, GC-MHRS staff worked with IT and the Behavioral Health Association. 
Training was provided to all staff. The IT they use is Griffin Tech. The Prosecutor's Office also reviewed the policy.  Dr. Oluic asked how long the Board has used Griffin Tech. Mr. Mausser said, a long time, maybe 10 years. Dr. Oluic commented ‘You notice we don’t fall under ADP.” He then said that “Griffin Tech supplies all our technical support”. The GC-MHRS policies can be found here https://www.geauga.org/about-us/policies/.

Roll Call vote: Ayes: Unanimous

1. Acknowledgement of Geauga Single Audit for Calendar Year 2023. 

GC-MHRS is part of the Geauga Single Audit.  The entire audit was 360 pages.  There were no findings in the 2023 audit. Mr. Mausser hopes the 2024 audit will be more timely but it’s beyond the Board’s control.  The County is at the mercy of the State Auditor with  regard to timing. This was a good audit. There were no findings through the county. 

Discussion: Mr. Petruziello asked what the hold up was and said, “Someone should address it somehow.”   He asked if Geauga is delaying the audit by failing to provide data. Mr. Mausser replied that is not the case. Director Lakomiak stated that all the data was turned into the State Auditor in the timely fashion.  Beyond that, the timing to complete the audit is out of Geauga’s control. Other counties are in the same situation.  Mr. Mausser noted that the audits are usually completed within 9 months of the end of the year. In summary, the Single Audit for 2023 for Geauga was a very good audit. Director Lakomiak reminded folks that there are other program reviews that can provide data for the budgeting process. 

1. Financial Reports  

Mr. Mausser reported the February and March totals as follows:

• The Board SFY2026 (7/1/25-6/30/26) office budget is through February and they expended 61.6% of the budget.

• The County calendar year (1/1/26-12/31/26) Budget Performance Report shows just over $1.2 million was expended through February.

• The Auditor's Fund Balance: Our February Unencumbered Balance is just over $2.28 million.

• Voucher recap#716 February $446,516.60. 

• The Board SFY2026 (7/1/25-6/30/26) office budget is through March and we expended 69.2% of the budget.

• The County calendar year (1/1/26-12/31/26) Budget Performance Report shows just  over $1.7 million was expended through March.

• The Auditor's Fund Balance: Our March Unencumbered Balance is just over $2.27 million

• Voucher recap#716 February $446,516.60 and recap#717 March $496,584.13.

Discussion: The TLC expenses are falling off as it is nearing completion. 

VII. Old Business - None

VIII. New Business - None

IX. Public Comments: Public comments were solicited. This Observer asked what position on the Board Mr. Alusheff is filling. It is the vacancy created when Carolee Lesyk, PhD left the Board. The position has been vacant for some time.  It is a Board of County Commissioners appointment.  This brings the Board to full complement of nine members. 

X. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 pm. 

Board Minutes: Available at https://www.geauga.org/board-minutes/. 

Next meeting:  The next meeting will be the Regular Meeting on May 29, 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: Carol Benton

Date Submitted: April 22, 2026

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