Ohio Association Of County Behavioral Health Authorities

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) is the statewide organization that represents the interests of Ohio’s county Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Boards at the state level. The Association works with a variety of governmental bodies including the Ohio General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, The Ohio Department of Medicaid, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, The Attorney General and Auditor’s offices, the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, and other organizations and coalitions to seek support for initiatives that will help expand and enhance mental health and substance abuse prevention, treatment and support services. Most importantly, however, OACBHA gives the Boards a forum to address statewide issues and provides Boards with the means to communicate their positions and concerns with a single voice. The membership of the Association is made up of county behavioral health authorities across Ohio, of which there are 50 Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Boards. These boards are statutorily empowered to plan, develop, fund, manage, and evaluate community-based mental health and addiction services. Boards are funded with federal, state and local government fund, as well as with local levies, and in turn the Boards are responsible for ensuring that addiction and/or mental health services are available to those who need them, regardless of their ability to pay.