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Help Keep Ohio Families Together

(Jan. 26, 2005)—You can help put an end to the cruel choice faced by hundreds of Ohio families: give up custody of their child to obtain state-funded mental health services or forgo the help their child needs.

No family should have to make such a tragic choice, but far too many have, according to Sunday’s Columbus Dispatch. In Franklin County alone, more than 900 families relinquished custody of a child with a serious mental or emotional disorder just to access treatment.

Previously, state officials believed that only 700 children across all Ohio were in state custody because their parents could not afford to pay for mental health services for them. Such services can cost as much as $1,000 a day - a price few families can pay.

Improved access to services can keep families together and kids out of juvenile detention. Last year, Ohio Representatives Sherrod Brown, Dennis Kucinich and Michael Oxley joined other dedicated children’s advocates in Congress to co-sponsor the Keeping Families Together Act, federal legislation to improve access to children’s mental health services.

Read a summary of the Keeping Families Together Act (PDF file; You will need the free Acrobat Reader to view and print this file)

Take action

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and other sponsors of the Keeping Families Together Act have re-introduced the bill this session, but they’ll need all the help they can get from Ohio’s Congressional delegation to ensure its passage. Ask your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor of this important legislation.

• Send an e-mail to your Senators and Representative urging them to co-sponsor the Keeping Families Together Act.

• Make the Call – Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to be connected to your Senators or Representative. Once you’ve been connected, ask to speak to the Legislative Assistant on Health Issues and urge him/her to advise your lawmaker to co-sponsor the Keeping Families Together Act (S. 380, H.R. 832).
  

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