Council received a letter from the Mayor with proposed usage of $26.5 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan that they will receive over the next year, which they have sent to council as a whole to discuss the issue. In the proposal, there is a proposed $9.5 million for revenue loss, $4 million for a community pool replacement project, $4 million in blight removal and housing and neighborhood renewal, whose ordinance was tabled indefinitely at the council meeting. 

Coleman Professional Services is now “Coleman Health Services”. The agency’s mission remains to provide services to people regardless of their ability to pay by delivering mental health assistance, substance use counseling, residential and rehabilitation services along with physical health services. They encourage people to get help when they first start noticing changes.

Council voted 5 to 2 with one person abstaining on a second reading for an ordinance that would enter into a contract with Coleman Professional Services which would provide $500,000 from CDBG Coronavirus funds for an isolation and quarantine facility for the homeless. The ordinance did not pass because it needs a two-thirds majority.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Coleman Professional Services has been working with area businesses to get the word out and raise much-needed funds to support those who are struggling and working their way towards a path of recovery.

The Ohio Sobriety, Treatment and Reducing Trauma program, or START, was started by Gov. Mike DeWine in 2017 and is now being implemented in Allen County. The goal of the program is to provide a wide range of support for parents and their children in the system who are struggling with addiction. Allen County Children Services in partnership with Coleman Professional Services will be working with families to help curb the rising number of children entering foster care.

Ordinance 240-20 would provide support for small businesses and provide rental assistance for individuals struggling with paying rent. The ordinance would also approve $500,000 in funding for a permanent building for homeless families. The building would be operated by Coleman Professional Services, a behavioral health, residential, employment, and support services agency. The structure would house multiple bedroom units to assist homeless families during the pandemic.

Coleman Professional Services has turned to the virtual world to raise money because serving those with addiction and mental health issues need more help. Coleman officials say they have seen an increase in people seeking help and their “Art for Recovery” is a major source of funding and needed to happen.

“Art for Recovery” auction will be an all-virtual event to raise funds to stay in the area for Coleman Professionals to provide services. They assist people with mental illness and addiction issues and connect them with the resources they need. The auction brings awareness to these needs.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and with the current stress people are under Coleman Professional Services wants people to take a look at their own mental health. They report that 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. They also acknowledge that everyone faces challenges that can impact their mental health. There is a mental health screening on the "We Care People" website that can help you assess how you have been feeling lately.

When it comes to the dramatic rise of overdoses in our area, COVID-19 may not the definitive reason, but the Lima Police Department says that it can't be ruled out. The LPD has been working with Coleman Professional Services to help those that have overdosed or are struggling with addiction, and work them through the next steps to recovery.