Resumes being updated as mental health employees await possible reversal of cuts
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USA TODAY
FREMONT – Employees are honing resumes after $2 million in funding was cut Jan. 13 for the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot counties.
But confusion reigns right now more than clarity. The federal money for addiction and mental health services that was cut Jan. 13 may come through after all; on Jan. 14, the Trump administration may have reversed its decision, according to some reporting by NPR.
Nationally, mental health and substance abuse agencies appear to have lost grant funding from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, totaling an estimated $2 billion. They were notified in a letter Jan. 13.
“Everybody is kind of in shock,” said Mircea Handru, director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board serving Sandusky County. “I wish we would have had some notice.”
The board learned of the cuts the same day that the SAMHSA grant was terminated. They later learned the same day of a possible reversal.
“I have heard nothing official about any changes,” Handru said Jan. 15.
If nothing changes, Handru said it probably means job losses. He said that there would normally be at least a 30-day notice, so that employees could have some time to start looking for new jobs.
In Sandusky County, there are three main projects that will be affected.
“We had a Children’s Mental Health Initiative grant that entered into the third award year on September 30, 2026 for the amount of $957,760. We were funding a new youth mental health group home project, parent peer support services and local service coordination,” Handru said.
The board has received the first of three grant payments, but as of Jan. 15, Handru has received no official notice that they will get the money (almost $2 million) for 2026 and 2027.
“Having a local home as a placement option is vital for our youth in care,” Handru said.
The group home project was announced in July.
“It’s just around the corner to start, which is very disappointing. We have the facility. We have the house manager. Now, for that project, we will do everything we can to move forward,” he said. “Unfortunately, we will have to make cuts to some other areas and use some different funding, but with that project, we will move forward. It is the top priority and it is the highest need in our four-county district. But I’m not sure yet what we will have to reduce.
“I can see some significant reductions on July 1. The parent-peer support, that is terminated now, effective yesterday,” Handru said.
The parent-peer support program helped parents manage a child in need of mental health assistance at home, navigate the many governmental agencies and try to avoid custody by the county.
“Those roles are pretty important services,” Handru said.
The youth group home is planned to operate as a qualified residential treatment program under the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, emphasizing trauma-informed care, community engagement, family connections and skill development.
Jobs are also at stake, but Handru is unsure how many. Several grants have been affected by the cuts and some of the board’s funding comes from other organizations, whose funds may have also been cut.
Handru said he is certain that other organizations in Sandusky County have also been affected.
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