October 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the Marion Area Counseling Center (MACC), which provides mental health services to around 3,500 people each year, operates Contact Care Line, and provides educational programs throughout the area.
MACC was established as a result of a merger between the Marion County Mental Health Clinic and Family Service Society of Marion County. As this merger was conceived, funding was obtained from the Ohio Department of Mental Health to build a Mental Health facility attached to Marion General Hospital. The building was completed and the incorporation of the Marion Area Counseling Center occurred in October, 1974.
MACC then absorbed all of the Substance Use Disorder services of the Marion Industrial Center in 1979 when they went out of business. At that time, there were approximately 12 employees with a budget of $150,000. MACC’s clinical staff saw approximately 150 clients per year.
Moving forward 40 years, MACC has over 75 employees and just in outpatient services alone sees approximately 3,500 clients per year. Adding in other program services, such as the Victim Assistance Program, Marion Driver Intervention Program, Signs of Suicide, Prime for Life, Housing Assistance, and Mental Health First Aid, MACC estimates their services impact over 8,000 persons in the Marion area each year. In addition, Contact Care Line (the Marion Crisis Hotline) receives over 6,300 calls per year.
MACC now has four locations from which services are provided. The main location continues to be 320 Executive Drive and is where the more traditional outpatient services are provided.
Foundations Recovery Center on Rose Avenue is a 15-bed residential treatment program and provides intensive outpatient treatment services for persons who have an alcohol or drug addiction.
MACC West on West Center Street is a residential facility for persons with a severe and persistent mental illness. The Marion Victim Assistance Program is at this location as well.
The newest location is Monarch Place Apartments on Lake Blvd. This is a 10-unit one bedroom permanent supportive housing complex for persons with a severe mental illness to live. Beside Monarch Place Apartments another like facility is being built which will be called Viceroy Place Apartments.
Over the past 40 years, MACC says they have always been responsive to the changing needs of the Marion Community, shown most recently in their response to the heroin epidemic. The substance use disorder clinical staff has more than doubled. MACC has expanded collaboration with all of Marion County Court systems. New programming has been put in place at the Multi-County Jail and Juvenile Detention Center/Family Court. Medication Assisted Treatment has been expanded. Substance Use Disorder case management services have been developed. Both programming and staffing have been expanded at Foundations Recovery Center. A Naloxone spray education program will start this month in coordination with the Crawford-Marion ADAMH Board. MACC is hoping to receive grant funding to soon provide recovery housing.
Many of the services and programs are funded by the Crawford Marion ADAMH Board, United Way of Marion County, and Marion Community Foundation. MACC is a nationally and state certified 501c3 organization that accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most private health insurance.
The Marion Area Counseling Center’s mission over the years has been modified some but has stayed primarily the same: “Developing solutions with clients and the community to manage alcohol, drug, mental health, physical health, and other life challenges to enrich lives and enhance the community.”
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