After offering central Ohioans mental health and drug treatment services for years, Columbus Area Integrated Health Services is now being run by a Franklin county agency.
The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board has assumed the management role with the facility on East Broad Street. The change of hands comes after Columbus Area board members voted to relinquish control citing ongoing financial trouble.
“I’d say about mid-February, the board was alerted to significant cash flow issues,” attorney Larry James told 10TV.
The transition was made official Tuesday and ADAMH is now tasked with connecting more than 1,500 clients with services and creating new relationships with many of the former Columbus Area employees who had been furloughed.
“The administration team is trying to better get a grasp on the financial underpinnings on what caused this organization to fail,” said ADAMH CEO David Royer. “We have a team of clinicians, along with our administrative personnel.”
“Our target is to really help people get access that they require,” Royer said.
A spokesperson with ADAMH says the agency is working with current clients and their case managers to arrange alternative care.
ADAMH released this statement on a Resource and Re-employment Fair for displaced Columbus Area employees:
"ADAMH has also worked with the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio to host a Resource and Re-employment Fair for displaced Columbus Area employees. The event will take place on Thursday, May 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the OhioMeansJobs Columbus-Franklin County Job Center (1111 E. Broad Street)."
Right now, there is no set timeline on how long the county agency will manage the now-defunct health facility.
For more information on new walk-in hours for the week of May 6, click here.