The McHenry County Mental Health Board deems it necessary to clarify information and correct an inaccuracy in the article “Mental Health Board’s way at stake” by Kevin Craver, published on the front page of the Jan. 24 Northwest Herald, and in the “Our View” editorial on Jan. 27.

Both of these pieces fuel ongoing misperceptions regarding how the MHB manages taxpayer dollars designated for the treatment of mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical abuse, and traumatic brain injury. At a time when social services are deeply affected by cutbacks and late payments by the state, our community needs to work together to meet the needs of our citizens. Effective collaborations benefit the people we serve, and effective collaborations can only begin with an understanding of the facts.

The MHB has dealt with differing opinions on how to manage tax dollars designated for the mental health fund since the people of McHenry County voted to establish a 708 Board, or Mental Health Board, in 1967. The board frames its decisions on management of taxpayer dollars based on its mission and by the mandates of the Illinois Community Mental Health Act. The mission and mandates require the MHB to provide leadership in planning, coordinating, developing, and contracting for quality services for our citizens.