Ashtabula and Lake County Behavioral Health Boards Partner for Joint Ethics Training
MEDIA RELEASE:
Contact: David Schick
The Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board
Phone: 440-350-2193
Email: DSchick@LakeADAMHS.org
For Immediate Release: April 15, 2025
Immediate Release
Ashtabula and Lake County Behavioral Health Boards Partner for Joint Ethics Training
MENTOR, OH — In a show of regional collaboration and commitment to strong ethical standards, the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and the Lake County ADAMHS (Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services) Board recently came together for a joint ethics training session led by Susan Willeke, Training and Communication Manager for the Ohio Ethics Commission.
This unique partnership allowed both boards to pool resources and offer a high-quality training that might otherwise be out of reach for smaller agencies. Because these organizations often serve fewer employees, it can be challenging to secure time with such a high-demand presenter. By coordinating across multiple boards, the event demonstrated an efficient and collaborative approach to strengthening the public sector workforce.
Willeke, who delivers more than 160 presentations each year across Ohio, brought both insight and humor to the session. Her engaging style and real-world examples made the material not only informative, but entertaining and accessible to participants from both boards.
“We’re grateful to Susan Willeke and the Ohio Ethics Commission for providing such a thorough and engaging training,” said Kimberly Fraser, Executive Director of the Lake County ADAMHS Board. “It’s partnerships like this that strengthen our region’s service to the public and ensure we remain transparent, accountable, and ethical in our work.”
The Ohio Ethics Commission guided participants through its comprehensive four-prong approach: investigation, advice, education, and financial disclosure. Willeke emphasized the Commission’s role as a resource for public boards—offering free advisory, educational sessions for new board members, and support for navigating ethical questions in real time.
“This training reinforced the idea that ethics is not just about rules, but about fostering trust and integrity in public service,” said Roberta Kalb, Lake County ADAMHS Board President. “It was incredibly helpful to know we can reach out to the Commission for advice whenever we need guidance.”
The event marked a significant step toward ongoing professional development and shared learning opportunities between neighboring behavioral health boards.
For more information about the Ohio Ethics Commission and its services, visit www.ethics.ohio.gov.
About the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board: The Lake County ADAMHS Board plans, funds, monitors, and evaluates services available to residents who are living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. For more information, visit our website at HelpThatWorks.us
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