Executive Director Mircea Handru (center) of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot counties is awarded the Ohio Crisis Intervention Team Champion of the Year Award. Presenting the award are Retired Justice Evelyn Stratton (right) and Assistant Director Lois Hochstetler of Ohio MHAS.

Director Mircea Handru was awarded the Evelyn Stratton CIT Champion of the Year Award by the Ohio Crisis Intervention Team. This award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond in making an impact in their community and demonstrating a strong commitment to achieving the goals of the Crisis Intervention Team.

“This award reflects the teamwork of our board staff and volunteer board members. We could have not accomplished this without local collaboration and partnerships with law enforcement, behavioral health agencies, county commissioners and city officials in the (Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of the Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot) four-county district,” Handru said.

Handru established a 24/7 Crisis Text Line across Northwest Ohio, mental health counseling in local schools, and enhanced collaboration with local law enforcement and first responders. He was elected Chairperson of Seneca County Opiate Task Force, a statewide team combating the drug epidemic across Ohio.

Handru earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration degree from Tiffin University. He has directed youth programs, coached Tiffin University men’s soccer team, and earned all-conference and regional awards as both a player and coach.

Ottawa County officially merged with the Mental Health Board of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot counties last June, leaving behind a partnership with Erie County. Ottawa County Commissioner Mark Stahl has said the new four-county board will significantly increase opportunities for Ottawa County.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services approved the split.

“We are looking at the local services that already exist here, enhance them, maybe expand them in the future,” Handru said. “We are really grateful that it seems like the four counties kind of match each other’s culture and values. Our goal is to enhance the quality of services, and to have local collaborations with local agencies, providers and public officials.

Local levy funds raised from residents’ property taxes will stay to cover services for our county residents, which was not happening in the past,” Handru said earlier this year. “We believe it’s around $900,000 of additional funds. We are very proud of that and I think residents should be very proud of that.”

Ottawa County commissioners recently named two people to the multi-county board: Marsha Bordner, a former president of Terra State Community College, and Mark Apple, commander of the Sandusky County Drug Task Force. In addition, state mental health director Lori Criss added two more board members from Ottawa County, Charlie Bassett and Kurtiss Hirt.