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Magistrate asks commissioners to approve out-of-state AOT training; board asks for cost details
Summary
Magistrate Tom Dusza requested approval to attend a National Assisted Outpatient Treatment symposium; commissioners pressed for benefits and costs, and asked him to resubmit the travel form with total cost. Dusza said grant funds cover the training and that AOT implementation could reduce hospitalizations and criminalization for people with severe mental illness.
Magistrate Tom Dusza asked the Erie County Commissioners March 10 to approve out-of-state travel to the National Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Symposium, saying grant funds received by the county would cover the training costs.
Commissioner Old noted the county generally does not approve out-of-state travel and asked what benefit Erie County would receive. The ADAMHS Executive Director told the board no equivalent AOT trainings were available in Ohio. Dusza said the conference provides education for staff who will deliver court-ordered outpatient treatment to people with severe mental illness who are not engaging voluntarily; he said implementing AOT could “dramatically reduce hospitalization, criminalization and other adverse outcomes for citizens of Erie County.”
Commissioner Shoffner asked how Erie County would benefit; Dusza reiterated the stated operational benefits of training for AOT implementation. The board asked Dusza to provide the total cost of the trip and resubmit the travel form at the next commission meeting.
The board did not approve the travel request at the March 10 meeting; Dusza was asked to return with cost details.
