The County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board has earned recognition as the 2025 Region 2 Agency of the Year from the National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter.
The award acknowledges the ADM Board’s innovative Behavioral Health Partnership Program, a collaboration with the University of Akron launched in 2023 that addresses workforce shortages in mental health and addiction services across Summit County.
Timothy McCarragher, director of UA’s School of Social Work and Family Sciences, nominated the ADM Board for the honor, citing the organization’s commitment to building a diverse and sustainable behavioral health workforce.
The partnership program provides three key components: a campus coordinator position funded by the ADM Board and held by Sylvester Huston III, who recruits students from middle school through college; annual scholarships of up to $13,000 for six social work students pursuing BSW and MSW degrees; and guaranteed field placements at ADM Board-funded agencies with employment opportunities after graduation.
McCarragher described the scholarship support as unprecedented in the region, noting that the ADM Board’s investment has dramatically improved the profile of behavioral health services. The program has already produced its first graduate who now works within the ADM Board’s network of care.
The initiative gained national attention when Executive Director Aimee Wade, Huston and McCarragher presented the model at the 2024 NASW National Conference in Washington, D.C.
Region 2 encompasses Erie, Huron, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties. As a regional winner, the ADM Board advances for statewide consideration for the NASW Ohio Agency of the Year, with that announcement expected later this winter.
A local celebration for Region 2 winners will take place Jan. 8 at Quaker Station in Akron, followed by recognition at the NASW Ohio Social Work Gala on March 14 in Columbus.
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