Darke County's residents have long supported mental health and addiction recovery services. With voluntary levies approved and renewed by voters dating back to at least the 1970's, the people of Darke County have committed to caring about those struggling with mental health and addictions. Yet today, there is a housing and provider shortage crisis that will only continue to grow without intentional intervention.

While there are many organizations working to provide amazing prevention and recovery programs, the lack of these fundamental basic needs creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. People without access to basic needs like housing and counseling and case management services are more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol. People who are experiencing addictions or mental health conditions and who can't receive appropriate care are more likely to experience homelessness, poverty, mental health crisis, relapse, overdose and suicide.

While many organizations have identified these gaps and have offered to engage in solutions, these systemwide challenges cannot be addressed by any one agency. Among coalitions and partners working together, many people have asked "okay, so what are we going to do about it?" In order to be successful in the long-term, a coordinated, community-level strategy to address these systemic gaps is needed. The Task Force is designed as a 1-year community-level intervention to address these systemic barriers so that helping agencies can connect their clients and community members with the care they need.

Today, public health officials, mental health advocates and addiction and substance use recovery advocates recognize prevention, recovery and protective factors intersect with the social determinants of health. Key among these are financial and housing security, as well as access to care. Unfortunately, these are the exact systemic level barriers that residents of Darke County face.

MIT's Living Wage Calculator identified Darke County's living wage for an individual working fulltime at $20.69 per hour (February 2026), with increases depending on number of working people and children in the household. At the same time, many people struggling with addictions or at-risk for addictions are SSI recipients, which is currently $994 per month for an individual, or $1,491 per month for a couple. Best practices recommend no more than 30% of income is spent on housing. This means for the vulnerable and at-risk populations, housing must be available at the $300.00-$447.00 per month price range. An initial review of housing options in June 2026 identified only 1 apartment in Darke County available at that rate.

In some cases, recipients may be eligible for HUD Vouchers. However, as of the July 14, 2026 Darke County Continuum of Care Report, no new funds are available in Darke County for Housing Vouchers. While nearly 200 households are receiving vouchers, there are nearly 250 households on a waiting list with no additional funding available.

As an additional barrier, Darke County's homeless shelter is closed for renovations for at least three more months, and there is a waiting list for specialized housing for people struggling with addictions and mental health diagnosis. Other agencies have identified the housing shortage as a critical issue for individuals who are also primary clients of their agencies.

In addition to economic and housing barriers, Darke County has struggled with an in-person provider shortage for some time. As of June 2026, waiting lists for mental health care have ranged from 10 days to 1 year. People in need of recovery and mental health care services often overcome significant barriers to ask for help, and when help is not readily available, it can increase the use of substances, or worse.

While Darke County does have many community-based programs that provide community and other one-time supports, these critical system gaps are not likely to be addressed without intentional action strategies coordinated at the community level. Without these critical gaps filled, even well-meaning prevention and recovery programs are at heightened risk for failure. The Task Force will empower Darke County to successfully address systemic gaps and ensure success for people at high-risk for substance use and addictions, as well as those who are in recovery.

Mission & Purpose

The Task Force is a one-year project whose mission and purpose is to solve Darke County's on-going housing and mental health provider-shortage crises — which are key underlying causes of substance use and barriers to recovery — through four (4) key prevention and community recovery strategies:

  1. Identify, articulate, and champion actionable solutions to safety net and system gaps and barriers
  2. Provide community-level tools and resources to monitor progress, increase tools for community organizations, and enhance access to basic needs for high-risk populations
  3. Provide education to high-risk individuals, residents, agencies, employers and policy-makers to reduce stigma, promote prevention, and encourage recovery engagement
  4. Provide a roadmap for long-term continuity

Vision

Ultimately, we envision a Darke County where all people have the opportunity to thrive, and:

  • 100% of Darke County residents seeking in-person mental health and recovery supports are able to access them with zero waiting
  • 100% of Darke County residents seeking housing are able to identify and secure stable housing at no more than 30% of their household income
  • 100% of people needing emergency shelter are able to access shelter with zero waiting
  • 100% of people needing specialized shelter (people with mental health conditions, people struggling with addictions or who are in recovery, or people with physical and/or developmental disabilities) are able to access shelter with zero waiting
  • There is an abundance of employment opportunities that pay a living wage

Core Beliefs, Guiding Principles & Values

  • Darke County Cares: We believe the people of Darke County care about the wellbeing of the community, including people who struggle with addictions, homelessness, poverty and mental health conditions, among others
  • Awareness: We believe that in order to solve problems, the community needs to be fully aware of them
  • Lived Experience Matters: We believe that system solutions and community programs should be fully informed by people with lived experience of mental health crisis, addictions, homelessness, poverty and other experiences of barriers to access and care
  • Action and Innovation: We believe that barriers and challenges are opportunities to do something new and that taking action to solve problems is what we're all about; Innovation is welcome and encouraged
  • Inclusion: At the Task Force, we strive to create an environment where all participants and partners feel safe, valued, respected, included, heard, welcome and supported
  • Trauma-Informed: It's about the people. We stay grounded in our goal to ensure that all people, particularly those who are vulnerable, are empowered to reach their own unique highest and fullest potential, and that includes accessing basic needs free from barriers or exclusion. We recognize the importance of being trauma-informed and grounded in solutions that take into account the impacts of systems and trauma.
  • Transparency: People can make the most informed decisions and actions when all of the information is available to them; We strive to ensure all Task Force activities and decisions are available to the public
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: We believe that community level issues can best be addressed when individuals, groups and organizations work together
  • Progress: Our goal is to create meaningful and sustainable progress

Task Force Members, Roles & Responsibilities

The Task Force is led by a facilitator with technology support from Workshop and Web. The Task Force includes community leaders, agency representatives and community residents, including people with lived experience of addiction and substance use, who focus on addressing systemic housing and provider gaps — and other barriers to care and recovery — while providing the public with education and information about priority populations and the policies that impact them. Throughout the project, the Task Force is responsible for monitoring and reporting to the public and key stakeholders about the status of the crisis and actionable progress.

The Task Force's collective work is accomplished through four key components:

  • Strategic Plan and Implementation
  • Real Time Community Crisis Monitoring and Resources
  • Community Education
  • Progress Reports

Individual Task Force Member Roles & Responsibilities include:

  • Commitment to the mission, vision, core beliefs, guiding principles and values of the Task Force
  • Attending 2-3 Strategic Planning Meetings in September and October to identify barriers and develop actionable immediate, intermediate, short-term and long-term solutions
  • Leading or assisting in action steps as identified in the strategic plan in line with personal passions, connections, resources or knowledge
  • Attending periodic meetings as determined by the group (such as biweekly or monthly) to identify action steps and report on progress
  • Helping to identify and compile education that would be beneficial for the community, including people in need, as well as decision and policy-makers
  • Providing input and guidance into the strategic plan and Task Force actions overall
  • Assisting in making the final recommendations for long-term continuity

Task Force Culture

To support and promote a healthy team culture, The Task Force has adopted I Am Foundation's adaptation of the key elements of the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman and Kaley Klemp. Each of us commits to CARING through Communication, Abundance, Resolve, Integrity, Nurturing and Growth. We have also adopted United Suicide Survivors International's adaptation of the core elements of Nonviolent Communication presented by Myra Walden to nurture a SAFE communication environment.

CARING

Communication — We recognize that healthy, honest and open communication creates healthy and thriving environments. We commit to listening to and giving voice to our feelings so that we can process them, and helping ourselves and others come to the best possible solutions. We honor ourselves and others by speaking our own truths, speaking assertively, and allowing others to speak their truths assertively, too. We're also dedicated to preventing toxic-cultures of gossip that force us to tell other people's stories — rather than our own — by talking directly to people with whom we have an issue or concern, and encouraging others to talk directly to people with whom they have an issue or concern, too.

Abundance — We recognize that our mission and our work is worthy of resources (financial and otherwise) to support us. We believe team members should be well supported, and we encourage a culture of accepting an abundance of positive energy, kindness, caring, funding, and resources.

Resolve — We recognize problems, disagreements and conflicts are opportunities to learn, grow and do something a better way. Each of us commits to creating win for all solutions (win for me, win for the other person, win for the organization, and win for the whole) for whatever issues, problems, concerns, or opportunities that may arise. We commit to clearly stating our positions and seeing things from another person's perspective, so that we can find resolutions or solutions to reach the best possible outcomes for all involved.

Integrity — We commit to the practice of integrity, where our feelings, actions and words are in complete alignment. This includes acknowledging our authentic feelings, expressing our own truths, and keeping our agreements to the best of our abilities. As an organization promoting health and well-being, we also commit to taking charge of our own physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing to the best of our abilities, and supporting others to do the same by offering encouragement and modeling our commitment to those we seek to serve; this includes seeking help and support for ourselves if and when we need it.

Nurturing Ourselves and Others — We commit to upholding a culture where we can express our full and authentic selves, while inspiring others to fully express their creativity and live in their zone of genius. Each of us is dedicated to nurturing a culture that encourages ourselves and our team members to become the best versions of ourselves, including being the source of our own security, control and approval. Ensuring that our work environments also make space for play, improvisation and laughter, and rest and renewal. We commit to valuing each person's contributions, and commit to being fully open to both receiving and giving appreciation to one another.

Growth — We're committed to continuous internal and interpersonal growth for ourselves and others. We allow ourselves to be right and celebrate our victories, and we allow ourselves the grace of being wrong by acknowledging our mistakes and sharing our lessons learned. We view every interaction as an opportunity to learn and grow personally and professionally.

SAFE

Self-Care and self-connection — We commit to self-care so that we can strive to come to each situation from a place of self-connectedness and inner peace.

Accept and provide honest communication — We vulnerably share our ideas, needs, and wants without judgement, blame or coercion. We strive to make it safe for others to share their thoughts and feelings, and ask for the ability to do the same.

Feelings are valid and honored — We intentionally commit to repair and resolution when mistakes are made or harm is caused.

Expression is a cornerstone of humanity — We contribute our ideas, thoughts and feelings to the world around us. We nurture the unique expressions of others and allow ourselves to express ourselves freely, guided by dignity, inclusion, visibility, voice, connection, community, equity, access, collaboration, learning, integrity and accountability.

Conflict Resolution Process

In every group, it's possible for conflicts to arise with regard to our understanding of policies, organizational strategies or organizational culture. We use a basic process for conflict resolution that aims to create positive growth, preserve or improve relationships, and honor all people involved.

Group Dynamics

We find it helpful for team members to understand the process of group dynamics, which includes 4 basic phases: Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing.

In the forming phase, we're getting to know one another and incorporating new people onto our team. In the storming phase, we sometimes encounter conflict as we're learning that each of us has our way of achieving the same outcome, as well as the best ways to express our own boundaries and honor the boundaries of others, too. When we recognize this is a normal part of teams, we can usually move through this phase quickly and honor ourselves and others. The last two phases are norming — which includes a widespread agreement on routines, processes and communication styles — and performing, where we're able to focus on outcomes, and achieving the goals and objectives we set out to achieve. In many cases, this process can be quick and empowering, particularly when everyone is aware that it might be occurring.

Conflict Resolution Processes

In some cases, a conflict may arise that requires authentic communication and an intentional commitment to resolve. The Task Force encourages a simple process in line with our organizational culture:

  1. Talk to the person. Be specific about how a particular action or words may have violated a specific policy, or made you feel, and what you hope would occur to create a win.
  2. Allow the person to make corrections or to provide new information that helps you understand their perspective or actions. We all make mistakes and can have misunderstandings. Once the situation is resolved, we commit to moving forward from a place of resolve.
  3. If a situation cannot be resolved with the person directly, contact the facilitator.

When We're On the Receiving End of Conflict Resolution

Sometimes we might find ourselves on the receiving end of conflict resolution. If this happens, we follow similar steps:

  1. We allow the person to fully communicate their concern or understanding of the situation.
  2. We explain our own perspective or understanding of the policy or situation. If our explanation helps resolve the conflict, great! We appreciate that someone respected us enough to bring something to our attention and to help gain clarity. If a mistake was made on our part, we acknowledge it and take action to correct it. We all make mistakes, and learning and growing from them is part of our own personal growth.
  3. If there continues to be an outstanding disagreement, we commit to working through it to the best of our ability. If a situation cannot be resolved with the person directly, contact the facilitator for next steps.

Violence/Harassment/Sexual Harassment

We recognize conflict and normal disagreements are a part of being human. However, violence, threats of violence, intimidation, hate speech, bigotry, name calling, bullying, unwanted contact and unwanted sexual advances are not permitted. Instances of this nature should be reported within 24 hours to the facilitator, who will conduct an investigation and determine next steps to include training, education, mediation and/or separation from the Task Force.

Indemnity, Liability and Waiver

There are inherent and potential risks to participating in or being part of any organization, group or activity. Task Force members, partners and participants, including any past, current or future heirs or assigns, agree to indemnify and hold harmless the facilitator, its board, staff, contractors, volunteers or other assigns for any actions, or causes of actions, seen or unforeseen, up to and including death, that could arise from being a part of the Task Force.

Nondiscrimination, Diversity and Inclusion

The Task Force strives to ensure participants feel safe, welcome, valued, respected, heard, supported, and included. We acknowledge and intentionally celebrate human diversity and strive to ensure accessibility in all regards. The Task Force does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, immigration status, recovery status, prior incarceration, religion, physical or mental ability, political party or affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, familial status, or age.*

*Task Force participation is limited to persons who are 18 years of age or older, or with express parent/guardian attendance or permission for those under 18.

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