The Fine Arts Association’s (FAA) Creative Arts Therapies department has received a pilot program grant from the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services
(ADAMHS) Board.  This support allows the ADAMHS Board providers access to FAA’s music therapy, art therapy and adapted arts programming. 

“With the growing need for mental health services, FAA is well equipped to offer these beneficial therapies to the agencies supported by the ADAMHS Board.  With this grant, we can serve 75 individuals and 12 groups,” states Ann Marie Raddell, FAA’s director of creative arts therapies.  “The arts are a powerful means to improve and enhance the psychological, emotional, physical and social health of individuals.”

The Lake County ADAMHS Board plans, funds, monitors and evaluates Lake County’s continuum of mental health and substance-use disorder supports and services. This non-Medicaid grant, earmarked for creative art therapies, provides additional intervention for individuals experiencing mental health or addiction challenges.  “We are very pleased to announce this new pilot program with the FAA’s Creative Arts Therapies team,” added Kim Fraser, executive director of the Lake County ADAMHS Board.  “When utilized in conjunction with traditional clinical services, we believe creative arts therapies will provide an important and effective tool in helping improve the quality of life for our citizens.”

Since the pandemic began, the demand for FAA’s Creative Arts Therapies programming has increased by more than 60%.  As a professional therapeutic option, creative arts therapies are funded by the client at similar rates as other therapy services.  But unlike other therapies, most creative arts therapies are not covered by insurance.  The Fine Arts Association seeks grants, scholarships and partnerships to help subsidize the costs for those most-at-risk clients. “It is imperative during these difficult times to engage and utilize all mental health professional services to meet the growing mental health and addiction needs of northeast Ohio communities,” concluded Ms. Fraser. 

In addition to the Lake County ADAMHS Board Pilot Program Grant, FAA’s Creative Arts Therapies department has recently been awarded the following opportunities and recognition:

• Certified Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services and Licensure and Tracking System provider
• Approved Ohio Department of Education Autism Scholarship Vendor
• Partnership with Cleveland State University as a University Affiliated Music Therapy Internship site

About The Fine Arts Association (FAA) 
FAA offers five arts education programs—dance, music, theatre, visual arts and creative arts therapies—to individuals of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.  In addition to arts education programming, FAA offers a full performance season.  For more information, please visit them online at www.fineartsassociation.org.

About the Lake County ADAMHS Board
The ADAMHS Board plans, funds, monitors, and evaluates services available to residents dealing with mental illness and or substance-use disorders.  For more information, please HelpThatWorks.us.