In 1988 Ohio passed the “Mental Health Act” which stressed the importance of community treatment rather than institutionalization. Community Mental Health Boards received even more authority to plan and develop local systems of care.
In 1989, Ohio recognized that a cabinet level department and local community control could best serve the recovery needs of Ohioans with alcohol and/or other drug addictions. Counties throughout Ohio reengineered their existing Community Mental Health Boards to also plan and oversee alcohol and other drug services.
Currently the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board for Montgomery County administrates the planning, development, funding, and evaluation of behavioral health services delivered by a network of nearly thirty (30) communities based organizations.