Jody Demo-Hodgins retires from as ADAMH director

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MARION — Those who know her describe her as passionate, energetic, committed, loyal, hard-working and action-oriented. They say she is determined to make a positive difference, and that is exactly what Jody Demo-Hodgins, executive director of the Crawford-Marion Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services has done in our community. And now, after 40 years’ service in the behavioral health field, she is retiring.

“Jody has been a thoughtful and passionate leader for both the counties and people she has served,” said Ohio Senator Dave Burke. “Her shoes will be difficult to fill, but I wish her only the best as she enjoys more time with her children and grandchildren. Job well done!”

Demo-Hodgins has been with the ADAMH Board since 1989 and became the director in 1997.

“Under Jody’s leadership as Director of the Crawford-Marion ADAMH Board, our counties have developed as leaders in the effort to provide services to families dealing with the challenges presented by mental health and substance abuse. She has helped us realize that these problems affect all of us and can only be successfully addressed by a community-wide approach and open-minded discussion,” said Judge Robert Fragale with Marion County Family Court,

Demo-Hodgins is co-chairperson for the Mid-Ohio Reentry Coalition. She has served on the executive council for the Ohio Association of Behavioral Health Authorities and was the organization’s president for state fiscal year 2009. In addition she served on a variety of state committees for both the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, before and after their merger. She is one of the founders of the Marion AIDS Task Force, established in 1990. Demo-Hodgins has also been a board member for the Marion County United Way, Marion Free Clinic, Marion AIDS Task Force, Marion County Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Boys and Girls Club of Marion.

As a community volunteer, she has facilitated the Survivors of Suicide Support Group, which provides support to families who have lost a loved one to suicide. She acts as both a board member and an ally/mentor with the Marion Matters program, whose goal is to support people living in poverty through mentoring.

Richard Steele, clinical site supervisor for Maryhaven of Delaware/Morrow/Crawford and Marion Counties, said” “Jody has worked tirelessly at addressing the opiate epidemic in Marion and Crawford counties and has been responsible for increasing access to opiate detoxification services, Medication Assisted Treatment, opiate overdose education and Naloxone for community members and first responders.”

Demo-Hodgins said for now, she is going to focus on being a grandmother to Andrew David Hodgins, 2, and Mackenzie Joanne Hodgins Pasch, 6 months.

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Staff report

 

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