MHRSB is working to reopen Fremont’s Village House, a supervised visitation and interaction center for children and non-resident parents.
Written by Sheri Trusty
The Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wyandotte Counties Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (MHRSB) provides a myriad of different prevention, treatment, and recovery services to meet the needs of the entire four-county area. Led by a talented and caring staff, the organization addresses a wide range of issues from opioid and gambling addiction to suicide prevention and veterans support.
Now, MHRSB is thinking outside the box by accepting a request from Sandusky County commissioners to reopen Village House, a supervised visitation center for children and their non-resident parents.
For years, Village House filled a critical need in Sandusky County as a safe and comfortable place for children to connect with their parents, but it closed in August 2023 after facing financial difficulties. The closure left a void in the community. Sandusky County commissioners then asked the MHRSB for assistance.
“The commissioners found, and I agreed, that the Mental Health Board was the best organization to intervene,” said Mircea Handle, MHRSB Executive Director. “Although this is not a core service that we normally provide, we feel these services are much needed. We are looking to other public bodies to get this service up and running again. Thank you for trusting us.”
MHRSB is working on this project in partnership with the Sandusky County Commission, Sandusky County Developmental Disabilities Board, Sandusky County Juvenile Court, Sandusky County Children’s Services, and Sandusky County Family and Children First Council. There is.
Commissioner Russ Zimmerman said, “On behalf of the Sandusky County Commissioner’s Office, I would like to thank the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and all of the other public entities in Sandusky County who are working hard to reopen Village House.” Ta. “The services provided at Village House are extremely important to Sandusky County families. I would also like to thank the Village House Board and staff for their years of service to Sandusky County families.”
The Village House building is owned by St. Anne Catholic Parish, and MHRSB signed a five-year lease for the building effective March 1. This spring, MHRSB will renovate the building thanks to a $200,000 grant from the Sandusky County Commission. DD’s. Renovations include disability accessibility upgrades and the creation of a sensory room.
Renovations are expected to take three to four months, and Village House is expected to reopen sometime this summer.
MHRSB Executive Director Mircea Handle is grateful that Village House will provide MHRSB with another opportunity to impact local families.
“The Mental Health and Recovery Services Commission’s acquisition of Village House, a long-established facility established in 1995, promises to continue and expand services beyond supervised visits and interactions with family members,” said Village House Interim Director. said Missy Morales. “As someone who has contributed to Village House for many years, the transition under their guidance seems promising as it is guaranteed to enhance our offerings while maintaining the organization’s mission. approach demonstrates a commitment to seamless integration that prioritizes the well-being of the communities Village House serves.”
Although Village House is not part of the regular service program, Handle is grateful for the new opportunity for MHRSB to impact local families.
“Our goal is to continue to provide socialization and visitation services to families in Sandusky County. We, with the support of many other public agencies and county commissioners, will renovate our facility and provide services to Sandusky County families as quickly as possible.” We are working hard to get the service up and running,” Handle said. “Village House has had a positive impact on the lives of many families. We would like to thank St. Anne’s Church and the Village House Board for trusting in our ability to carry out this mission from this point forward.” .”
For more information about Village House, contact the MHRSB office at 419-448-0640.
