A community gathering in Marion will address behavioral health, addiction and developmental disabilities on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Marion First Church of the Nazarene, 233 W. Church St.
According to the announcement, local agencies will present findings, resources and next steps aimed at improving how services are coordinated across the Marion region. Attendance is encouraged for people who care for or support adults and families affected by those issues, among them caregivers, health care and social service workers, community organizations and residents generally.
The meeting continues work described as beginning Sept. 9, when representatives of 23 Marion-area agencies met to identify challenges and opportunities, and advancing Oct. 7 as partners set priorities involving communication and collaboration, navigating services, crisis response and service access. Work groups formed around those priorities are expected to describe their efforts on Oct. 20.
OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, The Ohio State University at Marion, Marion Community Foundation, Marion Municipal Court, ADAMH and the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities are listed as collaborators. Jim Parobek, the hospital's president, said in the announcement that many organizations had been brought together to discuss working better collectively, and that organizers now want to keep that conversation going with residents and connect more people to resources and support. There is no charge to attend; the number listed for details is 740-383-8626.