Second Chance for Mental Health Levy for Kids
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Updated: 11:24 AM Nov 4, 2008
Second Chance for Mental Health Levy for Kids
WTAP News
Voters in Washington County will not only be voting for the next president this week they'll also be voting for or against a levy to help kids get mental health help.
Posted: 10:50 PM Nov 2, 2008
Reporter: Leslie Cebula
Email Address: leslie.cebula@wtap.com
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Voters in Washington County will not only be voting for the next president this week they'll also be voting for or against a levy to help kids get mental health help.

In March the Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Programs for Children levy failed and so the issue is on the ballot again.

Now the Washington County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Board can only help kids who can pay the full cost of treatment or have Medicaid.

"So we're trying to let people know this is a really critical time, especially for the children of this county. We have found there are about 1000 kids in this county who need treatment who aren't able to access it right now because we don't have the revenues," said Ron Rees, executive director of the Washington County Mental Health Board.

Rees said they aren't able to provide these services because of a reduction in state revenues coupled with an increase in state mandates.

It's a one mil levy that on a house valued at $100,000 would cost $35 more in taxes a year.

Rees said Washington County is one of 74 counties out of the 88 Ohio counties that hasn't approved a mental health levy.

He said that the board relies on state and federal money for 99.5 percent of its funding but the other half percent is designed to come from the local community.


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