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Additionally, one awardee
was inducted into the Advocate Hall of Fame.
Honored on Monday were:
Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year Toledo Police
Department Lt. Hank Everitt; Consumer Involvement of the
Year Dan Rogers; Mental Health Professional of the Year
Dustin Smith; Alcohol and Other Drug Professional of the
Year Candace Garmon, Advocate of the Year Matt Bell; Leader
of Diversity and Inclusion Rev. D.L. Perryman and Teen
Leader Manual Mathis.
The Zepf Center received
the Spirit Award for Critical Incident Response and Larry
Wanucha was inducted into the Advocate Hall of Fame.
“We are stronger together
than we are apart and today’s ceremony is one way of
recognizing that fact,” said Board Executive Director Scot
Sylak in his introduction of the awards program.
Lt. Everitt was recognized
for his efforts on the TPD Crisis Intervention Team for
improving officer safety, redirecting individuals who need
mental health help away from the judicial system and
increasing peace officers’ awareness of alternatives for
those in need of such help.
Rogers was praised for his
ceaseless efforts in advocating for others and addressing
the needs of those seeking help.
Smith, a mental health
professional since 2012, was honored for his actions “above
and beyond for all the clients he interacts with,” noted
presenter Tim Goyer of the Board staff.
“It has always been my
passion to help individuals who are struggling with the
illness of addiction,” said Garmon accepting her award as
the Alcohol and Other Drug Professional of the Year.
Just 19 months ago, Bell
was homeless and in need of help to overcome a nine-year
heroin addiction. Today he reaches out to thousands of
students and family members in an effort to educate on the
perils of drug addiction.
In 2015 Perryman, a member
of the MHRS Board of Trustees, implemented a review of the
way the Board provides assistance through its system of
care. Through his vision, the Board “took the bold step to
address the disparities of mental health,” he said in his
acceptance speech.
MHRSB is a community
safety net for uninsured, underinsured and indigent persons
needing mental health, addiction, prevention and/or support
services. In that role, the board assesses community needs,
plans systems of care for individuals, collaborates with
families, consumers, law enforcement stakeholders and
organizations, funds and promotes local support for
community care, monitors contract providers and evaluates
cost effectiveness and the quality of care.
The Board, which has an
annual budget of almost $25 million, works with more than 20
area care agencies to fulfill its mission.
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