Oct. 22 ADM Board meeting
Covered by Documenter Meagan Rodgers (see her notes here)
The County of Summit ADM Board broke ground Oct. 3 on a residential mental health center on the grounds of the state-owned Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare in Northfield in northern Summit County.
The Frese Residential Step-Down Center will serve as transitional housing for people leaving inpatient psychiatric hospitalization and will provide additional mental health support as they transition back into the community.
The County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADM) Board is a governmental entity responsible for planning, funding, monitoring, and evaluating services for residents of Summit County
ADM board of directors members discussed the groundbreaking at their Oct. 22 meeting. The $9.9 million facility will have 16 beds and will open in November of 2025.
“This facility will provide an additional level of care for persons with mental illness exiting the acute care of hospitalization,” said Aimee Wade, executive director of the County of Summit ADM Board in a press release.
“This state-of-the-art facility will include spaces that encourage mental, spiritual and physical well-being. The goal of this facility is to promote resiliency, self-sufficiency and hope for those who need these additional supports after a hospitalization.”
An architectural rendering shows the outside of the upcoming $9.9 million Frese Residential Step-Down Center. The 16-bed facility in Northfield will open in November of 2025 and serve as transitional housing for people leaving inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. (Courtesy of the Summit County ADM Board.)
Center provides variety of services
The facility, according to an ADM report, will provide these services:
Clinical assistance
Medical resources
Case management
Daily living skills assistance
Arts
Physical wellness
Employment
Housing
Peer support resources.
Officials named the center in memory of Dr. Frederick J. Frese III, a renowned psychologist who lived with schizophrenia and went on to lead Ohio’s largest psychiatric hospital. Frese, who died in 2018, was director at the Western Reserve Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center from 1980 to 1993.
“We are honored that Dr. Frese’s family has permitted us to use his name and likeness to welcome individuals and their loved ones into this facility,” Wade said in the press release. “Our hope is that here, they will find the tools and support they need to thrive. Dr. Frese was a true inspiration to anyone who was privileged enough to know him.”
Board gets update on prescription drugs
Also at the board meeting, Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Doug Smith shared medical/pharmaceutical developments:
Federal efforts are underway to streamline the process of prescribing Clozapine, considered the “gold standard antipsychotic”medication. Existing regulations make prescribing the drug difficult because its effects weren’t fully understood. Doctors prescribe Clozapine to treat schizophrenia and to reduce suicidal thinking.
An October report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that almost 95% of websites offering prescription-only drugs online operate illegally. Smith urged caution and diligence to ensure online pharmacies are properly licensed.
The Federal Drug Administration has issued approval for Cobenfy, a new antipsychotic that treats negative symptoms of schizophrenia, like social withdrawal and a decrease in motivation.
The FDA authorized an at-home nasal swab rapid test from Healgen. The test detects whether symptoms are caused by flu or COVID-19 .
Community resources
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 9-8-8
Crisis Text Line: Text 4HOPE to 741741
Mental Health Crisis: 330-434-9144
Akron Children’s Hospital Psychiatric Intake Response Center: 330-543-7472 or 866-443-7472
Addiction Helpline: 330-940-1133
See Documenter Meagan Rodgers’ notes here: