(From Hancock County ADAMHS)

Impact of Termination of Federal SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Grants to Hancock County Behavioral Health Services:

Without any advance notice, on January 13, 2026, Hancock County ADAMHS received notification from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of immediate termination of three federal grants.

These grants support the workforce and essential services they provide through Family Resource Center, FOCUS Recovery and Wellness Center, and The City Mission as well as program evaluation, research and training support from Brandeis University and Case Western Reserve University.

This funding termination comes after just one quarter of the federal fiscal year. The financial impact to Hancock County is a loss of approximately $1.5M for the remaining 9 months (through September 2026).

With such a significant amount of funding loss, the current level and accessibility of services will be significantly impacted.

Local agency impacts include:

• Family Resource Center will see the largest decrease in funding, with a loss of approximately $600,000 for services to children, youth and families in need of behavioral health care.
• The City Mission will see a loss of approximately $270,000 for Project HOME: Low Barrier Shelter, which provides emergency overnight shelter to unhoused individuals. Funds to support onsite mental health support provided by Family Resource Center were also terminated. An additional $1.5M is lost over the entire Project HOME grant period that was initially awarded through Sept 29, 2029. To prevent closure of the low barrier shelter, funding from the community will be required.
• FOCUS Recovery & Wellness Center will see a reduction of approximately $189,000. This level of reduction will disrupt, dismantle and reduce the existing level of services.

Directors from affected agencies share a collective call asking the community to do what is possible to maintain as many of these services as possible until alternative funding can be secured.

Hancock County prides itself on the continuum of care available for individuals and their families who struggle with mental health and/or substance use. The services are often interconnected, offering a coordinated and comprehensive approach to care for some of our most vulnerable community members. With a severe disruption in continuity of care – from providing a safe place to sleep at night, to offering services to children, youth, and families, as well as peer support to people working on and managing their recovery, everyone now has increased vulnerability; risk of increased used of the emergency department, and increased involvement with the criminal justice system (jails), should appropriate interventions not be available.

The immediate termination allowed no time to prepare individuals receiving services or to the professionals who deliver services who are potentially impacted by the cuts. This is a disservice to all involved, especially to those in need of life-saving services.

ADAMHS is actively engaging with legislators at all levels of government – particularly at the federal level – to determine what remedies are possible to maintain funding and services.

This will have a profound impact on everyone engaged in the behavioral health system – not just clients, but staff who deliver services, and agency administrators who ensure that agencies are able to remain open to deliver any services.

The community is asked to provide grace and support for all those impacted. As more details become available they will be shared with the community.

Hancock County is not alone. Cuts are being made across the country to the tune of nearly 2 billion dollars in grants that support addiction and mental health services.

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/14/nx-s1-5677104/trump-administration-letter-terminating[1]addiction-mental-health-grants

Impact Statement: Project HOME & Low Barrier Shelter

At 8:02 PM January 13th, we were notified that Project HOME was abruptly terminated at the federal level. With no warning or transition period, the major funding source for the City Mission of Findlay’s Low Barrier Shelter and support for crisis services was eliminated.

This decision has immediate and serious consequences for our community.

The Low Barrier Shelter was never just a place to sleep. It was a stabilization point, an engagement doorway, and—for many—the first place in years where they felt safe enough to accept help. It functioned on trust, consistency, and relationship.

Through the Low Barrier Shelter, 5,315 nights of safe lodging were provided. More than 60 individuals entered City Mission’s ReSTART Program directly from the shelter. Through the program, 15 individuals a month were transitioned to higher levels of care, including permanent housing, and 53 were referred to mental health and substance use treatment, exceeding engagement goals. On-site mental health services, made possible through our partnership with Family Resource Center, allowed guests in crisis to access care immediately.

One guest entered the shelter after years of cycling between the streets, emergency rooms, and incarceration—distrustful, untreated, and actively using. Because staff knew him by name, showed up consistently, and removed barriers to care, he eventually agreed to treatment for the first time. His progress was not the result of a single service, but of a system built on relationship and trust.

That is what the Low Barrier Shelter made possible.

While the termination of Project HOME does not erase these outcomes, it does remove a proven intervention at a time when housing options remain critically limited and the need for low-barrier engagement is greater than ever.

We want to be clear: we do not intend to close the Low Barrier Shelter. We believe deeply in this work. However, without this funding, we cannot sustain it alone. To keep these doors open, we urgently need community support through funding, partnership, and advocacy—so our most vulnerable neighbors are not left without a place to stabilize and begin moving forward.

— Tyler Layton Program Director, City Mission of Findlay Project Director, Project HOME

(From the Children’s Museum of Findlay)

Dɾeam with us!

These empty walls won’t stay empty for long — so tell us…

What should live here at YOUR Children’s Museum of Findlay?

Do you have ideas for exhibits?

Do you know a business that would make a great exhibit sponsor?

Is there a supporter or partner you think we should connect with for funding?

Drop your ideas in the comments and share this post to help us dream bigger, together!!!

Let’s build something amazing for our kids and our community.

WFIN- In November, the Children’s Museum of Findlay announced its new location at 11600 County Road 99.

(From Vanlue Fire Chief Steve Baum)

I would like to congratulate one of your Vanlue Firefighters, Ben Riddle, for completing “Firefighter 1” State Fire training!!

Ben has spent a lot of evenings and Saturday’s over the last few months putting in the work to complete this training and this evening he passed his final exam!!

This training extended over 124 hours. Congratulations Ben!! I am very proud of you for this accomplishment!!

As a result of this training, this will benefit not only our department but also the entire community that we serve! Great work!!

(From the American Red Cross of North Central Ohio)

The American Red Cross of North Central Ohio needs local volunteers to respond to disasters in Hancock County. To help recruit and train new volunteers, the Red Cross will be holding an informational presentation on Wednesday, January 28, 6:00 pm at the Hancock County Red Cross office, 125 Fair St. in Findlay.

The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters every year, said Executive Director Todd James. The majority of those disasters are local home fires. “People see major disasters in the news, like tornadoes and hurricanes, and they know the Red Cross is there providing shelter, food and comfort,” James said. “But it’s here at home where we handle most of our disaster responses, helping families who have lost their homes to fire or a local flood or storm.”

James said the Red Cross, like many other organizations, are still feeling the affects the COVID-19 pandemic had on their volunteer teams. “We had a lot of volunteers who had to step back from helping and haven’t been able to return. It’s vital that we have trained volunteers ready to answer the call for help at all times.”

James said he knows that there is a commitment of time and effort to being a local Red Cross volunteer disaster responder, but the return is well worth it. “Our volunteers will tell you that the feeling that comes with helping a family after a fire or other disaster is worth more than gold, knowing that on someone’s darkest day they are the light of hope.”

At the information session, attendees will learn the requirements to be a Disaster Action Team volunteer and will have the opportunity to speak with current volunteers to ask questions and learn about their experiences. Refreshments will be provided at the event and attendees will receive a Red Cross appreciation gift. RSVPs are requested but not required. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Red Cross at northcentralohio@redcross.org or call (419) 422-9322.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Become a Red Cross volunteer to help ensure families don’t face emergencies alone. Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to learn more and apply.

(From the Findlay Amateur Hockey Association)

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Hockey Day on February 7—our organization’s biggest fundraising event!

All funds raised will go directly towards keeping ice fees affordable, purchasing new gear for our rental program, and providing scholarships to ensure every child can play, regardless of financial circumstances.

If you’d like more information or are interested in donating an auction basket or becoming a sponsor, we’d love to hear from you! Sponsors can also register, donate, and upload their logo using the link below.

Visit https://www.findlayhockey.com/hockeyday

Bring Cash!
Don’t miss out on the 50/50 drawings during each game, raffle baskets, and silent auction items.

Thank you for helping make our event a success!

(From the Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center)

Please come out next Monday, and join us in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We will have a unity walk from the church to Winebrenner, and then our service will start upon our return to the church.

It is important now more than ever, to love our neighbor and to fight for what is right.

 Pastor Kristopher Johnson of Unity Christian Ministries, will be our guest speaker.

Event will be held at Church of the Living God, 701 N. Main St.

(From the Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County)

Important update regarding our Spay and Neuter Clinic.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, our veterinarian is unable to continue performing surgeries.

At this time, we are unable to schedule future appointments for spay and neuter surgeries.

Please follow the link for a list of low-cost spay/neuter clinics in Ohio.

We understand how concerning this news is, and we appreciate everyone who cares deeply about spay/neuter access in our community. We’d like to clarify a few important points:

This update applies to our public, low-cost spay/neuter clinic only. All adoptable animals are spayed/neutered prior to adoption.

The current pause is due to an unforeseen medical issue affecting our clinic veterinarian. This is not something that can be resolved overnight by simply adding another veterinarian. Access to veterinarians, especially those able to provide high-volume, low-cost surgery, is a nationwide challenge affecting shelters across the country.

Yes, we are actively exploring options to resume public spay/neuter services and began doing so as soon as we learned of this change earlier this week.

At this moment, we do not have a confirmed timeline, which is why we shared a list of other low-cost clinics in Ohio.

Our priority remains responsible animal care, while also ensuring the professionals who provide that care are treated with the consideration they deserve.

When we have an update, we will share it here. Thank you to those who support our mission and the animals in our care.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Meet Dennis, one of our most dedicated VITA volunteers.

Dennis has countless stories about helping people understand their taxes, identifying past mistakes, and helping clients refile.

He has decades of experience preparing taxes with unique situations and enjoys sharing his knowledge with the community.

This year’s VITA season kicks off in early February, powered by dozens of volunteers just like Dennis.

If you’d like to get involved, call our office at 419-423-1432.

(From the University of Findlay)

Christine Denecker, Ph.D., has been appointed as the University of Findlay’s vice president of academic affairs, effective January 1.

Denecker has served as interim vice president since August 1. She succeeds Darin Fields, Ph.D., who served for 12 years in the role. He remains at UF as an English professor and assists in the institutional research office on University-wide initiatives, including academic program review.

President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., praised Denecker’s breadth of experience at UF and her service ensuring that Oiler students are equipped for meaningful lives and productive careers.

“There is a long legacy of the value of a University of Findlay education,” President Fell noted. “As the University continues to respond to current workforce needs, I am confident that Dr. Denecker will uphold the high quality and performance of our undergraduate, graduate, and professional academic programs.”

Denecker previously served as an English professor and as associate vice president for learning and innovation. Her current duties include overseeing the University’s Center for Teaching Excellence and its College Credit Plus (CCP) program, which has grown into the largest private dual enrollment program in Ohio with more than 2,000 students.

In her 22 years on campus, she earned the rank of professor; taught undergraduate and graduate courses in English, rhetoric, and education; served as department chair; guided campus assessment efforts; helped foster the culture of teaching and learning by crafting and facilitating in-house professional development; and contributed to general education reform.

“UF has been my home for more than two decades, and there is good reason for that,” Denecker said. “I believe in its mission and values—but more importantly, I am inspired by its people: those I work alongside and those I’ve had the privilege to teach. I am proud to be an Oiler and excited to serve in a new role where I can help plant the seeds of UF’s future.”

This fall, the academic affairs office launched planning around five strategic pillars: mission and vision, holistic learning, academic offerings, external reach, and community integration.

Denecker’s additional priorities include developing the Watterson Scholars Program, creating general education pathways that complement majors, and developing certificates as well as microcredentials in collaboration with local businesses to meet their workforce needs.

(From the Findlay Fire Department)

Please join us in welcoming our newest firefighter, Jacob Plummer!

Jacob is a graduate of Van Buren High School and joins our department with his EMT certification. He currently volunteers for Allen Township Vol. Fire Department.

Jacob will be attending the Ohio Fire Academy to obtain his Firefighter II certification in February.

We’re excited to support Jacob as he continues his training and career with us! Welcome aboard, Jacob!