MHS supports Issue 15, the Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services levy, on the 4 May 2010 ballot. Issue 15 would simply replace the current 2.9 mill levy, with no tax increase. Cuyahoga County uses funds from the levy to support programs and services essential to communities throughout Cuyahoga County, and to build the foundation for economic development.

The issue will appear on the ballot of the 4 May Primary Election as follows: "A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Cuyahoga County for the purpose of SUPPLEMENTING GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN OR SOCIAL SERVICES at a rate not exceeding 2.9 mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to 29 cents for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for four years, commencing in 2010, first due in calendar year 2011."

Cuyahoga County’s Health & Human Services levy funds vital care and protection for more than 200,000 people every year in every community of Cuyahoga County. Passage of the issue would help ensure the continuation of critically important services, including emergency services at MetroHealth Medical Center, Life Flight, the Severe Burn Treatment Center, and Northeast Ohio’s only Level 1 Trauma Center.

Funds from Issue 15 would also provide protection and counseling for abused or neglected children, foster care and adoption services, and services to make sure young children get proper health care and are prepared for school. A portion of funds generated by the levy go to the Cuyahoga County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board to fund the suicide prevention and crisis response services of the MHS Mobile Crisis Team, and other essential mental health services. The issue also provides home health care and home-delivered meals to seniors, allowing them to continue to live at home. Families and individuals need strong Health & Human Services because of job losses, reduced health care, and lost pensions. Voters overwhelmingly approved a separate and smaller levy in November 2006, and a 4.8 mill levy in March 2008,

MHS supports the passage of Issue 15 because funds from the levy would help people who need emergency care and cannot afford to go anywhere else. Although election day is Tuesday, 4 May 2010, an eligible voter may vote earlier, by mail, by submitting an Application to Vote by Mail to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

MHS extends its heartfelt gratitude to the more than 300 people who braved the cold winds and snow-covered roads of Friday, 5 February 2010, to attend the evening Benefit for the Community Women's Shelter at the wonderful Gordon Square Arcade.

Cathleen Alexander (at left in the photo), Program Manager of the Shelter, and Susan Neth, MHS Executive Director, were thrilled by the number of supporters, and tried valiantly to speak to each of them.

More than 1,000 homeless women and children will use the 135-bed Community Women's Shelter this year. More than 100 stay at the Shelter each night. In addition to offering a safe place to stay, the Shelter offers a comprehensive range of services to help women achieve housing, income, and recovery from mental illness and substance-use disorders.

MHS and a group of dedicated individuals from business, government, non-profit, and philanthropic organizations combined their efforts to create this first public-awareness and friend-raising event to benefit the MHS Community Women's Shelter. We thank those who joined us to celebrate the many accomplishments of those who have triumphed over homelessness, to learn about the Shelter’s role in our community and the plans for its renovation, and to become a part of this great work! Thank you!