2025 ADAMH Annual Meeting Emphasizes Strong Partnerships in Crisis Care

Guests joined the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) on Sept. 17 for the 2025 Annual Meeting, a gathering that celebrated collaboration and progress across Franklin County.

Centered on the theme “Stronger Together: Reimagining Crisis Care in Our Communities,” the event showcased how ADAMH and its community partners are working side by side to build a stronger, more responsive crisis care system.

ADAMH CEO Erika Clark Jones reflected on two critical achievements from the past year: strengthening the behavioral health workforce and launching Franklin County’s full crisis care continuum.

She applauded the ADAMH Workforce Development Council for leading the creation of a leadership academy for mid-level managers, which recently graduated its first cohort. Participants gained new skills and strategies to better support frontline staff across the ADAMH provider network.

Erika also celebrated a milestone for Franklin County — laying the foundation for a complete crisis care continuum: someone to call (the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), someone to come (mobile response teams) and somewhere to go (the Franklin County Crisis Care Center).

“For the first time, we have a fully supported behavioral health continuum that doesn't have to rely on law enforcement as the default response to a mental health or addiction crisis,” Erika said. “We are so grateful for the vision of the many individuals, families, first responders and behavioral health providers who came together and said, ‘We can, and we will do better.’”

Erika was followed by Columbus Chief of Police, Elaine Bryant, who spoke about the importance of collaboration among community partners to ensure effective crisis care.

“When we talk about stronger together, it’s not just a theme, it’s a reality when first responders, health care providers and community leaders unite,” she emphasized. “Columbus police will continue to stand alongside ADAMH and community partners to build a safer and healthier future for everyone.”

David Covington, CEO and President of Recovery Innovations, delivered the keynote address. David discussed how emergency crisis responses have evolved, noting that while medical emergencies have established systems, responses for mental health and substance use crises still lag behind.

“We have a boutique system that serves some individuals but leaves others to our vital public safety net services of law enforcement and hospitals,” David said. “It’s a costly and frustrating system and Columbus is showing a vision that it can be done differently.”

He reinforced Erika’s message of “someone to call, someone to come and somewhere to go,” underscoring the vital role of the Franklin County Crisis Care Center. David also reflected on the center’s first weeks of operation, highlighting successful collaborations with law enforcement, mobile response teams and community partners.

He closed by sharing that the 988 Crisis Jam episode featuring the center has already been viewed over 20,000 times — evidence that Franklin County’s model is inspiring national conversations about new ways to respond to mental health and addiction crises.

The meeting concluded with the presentation of annual scholarships and awards. The awards recognized the outstanding efforts of individuals in the behavioral health network. A special award was presented to Linda Jakes, Executive Director of Concord Counseling Services, for her 38 years of dedication to Concord and leadership in the ADAMH network and Franklin County community.