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Frontline Service warns county cuts could end Safe Haven program
Summary
A Frontline Service executive told the Cuyahoga County Committee of the Whole the proposed budget cuts would "significantly weaken" the safety net and could end Ohio's first Safe Haven program; she asked council to restore Adams board funding to prevent service loss for more than 200 residents.
Jennifer Harrison, chief clinical officer at Frontline Service, told the Cuyahoga County Committee of the Whole on Nov. 17 that proposed cuts in the executive—s budget threaten the county—s Safe Haven program.
"The proposed county budget will significantly weaken our county's safety net and passing this budget may mean the end of Ohio's first Safe Haven program," Harrison said in public comment, describing Safe Haven as a 24‑7 side‑by‑side service model for adults with severe mental illness and long‑term homelessness.
Harrison told council the program, which began in 1994, averages about a 1 percent annual rate of hospitalization or incarceration among residents because of its intensive wraparound services. She said the executive—s recommended cuts included $4,000,000 to the Adams board and that Frontline could lose about $1,000,000 of funding, including a 20 percent reduction to Safe Haven. She asked council to restore Adams board funding, noting more than 200 people have used Safe Haven services.
Her comment was taken into the record during the public comment portion of the budget hearing; council and administration did not take immediate action to restore the funding at that meeting. The committee adjourned with plans to circulate technical amendments and continue budget deliberations ahead of future votes.
