‘Stepping Up’ resolution

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum County Commissioners were asked on December 28, 2017 if they would pass a resolution to make Muskingum County a ‘Stepping Up’ community.

Mental Health Recovery Services Board Executive Director Vickie Hare said the former justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, Evelyn Stratton is driving the initiative. This will allow those with mental health issues or addictions who are incarcerated, to receive treatment.

“The goal is to come to a crossroads of those individuals that we serve in our system and are also incarcerated in local jails,” Hare said. “The goal is to bring those numbers down and better serve them in the community.”

Hare said even though Muskingum county is not yet a ‘Stepping Up’ community it does have a lot of the elements of a ‘Stepping Up’ community.

“For quite some time now we have offered annually a crisis intervention team training, which is a week-long training for law enforcement officers so that they can better respond to those individuals,” said Hare.

Muskingum County also has a behavioral health court in some of the court systems and Muskingum stays in contact with alcohol, drug services, and mental health services. This way those incarcerated can have access to treatment services.

Guernsey County has passed their resolution to become a ‘Stepping Up’ community, Justice Stratton will meet with Guernsey County’s officials at a later date to continue setting up the initiative.

Muskingum County Commissioners will give their decision at a later date.