NewsNow - 01.03.2022

Ohio Department of Health Aligns with Updated CDC Quarantine and Isolation Guidance

Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., MBA, director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), on Friday announced that the Ohio Department of Health has aligned with CDC’s recently updated quarantine and isolation guidance released last week. “Evidence shows that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to symptom onset, and in the 2-3 days after symptoms begin,” explained Dr. Vanderhoff. “The CDC’s updated quarantine and isolation guidance takes the latest science and evidence into consideration, with a focus on testing, masking, and symptom monitoring – similar to Ohio’s reduced quarantine guidelines in the state’s ‘mask to stay’ and ‘test to play’ guidance.”

ODH has released a flow chart based on the CDC’s updated guidance following an exposure to someone with COVID-19. Regardless of vaccination status or symptoms, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days. However, if symptoms are improving, isolation may end on the sixth day following either symptom onset or a positive COVID-19 test if the person consistently wears a mask for the next five days. Detailed quarantine and isolation guidance are available in the flow chart. ODH has also updated K-12 school quarantine guidance including “mask to stay” and “test to play” timelines accordingly.

There are many opportunities in Ohio to be vaccinated, including walk-in and scheduled appointments statewide at pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, doctor’s offices, community vaccination sites, and local health departments. There is ample supply of vaccine for boosters, as well as first and second doses, for Ohioans. Ohioans can check their eligibility and book an appointment online at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or by calling 1.833.427.5634.

Ohioans who want to learn more about the safety, efficacy, and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines should talk to their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, or visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine to learn more.

$5M in CARES Funding Awarded to Retain and Strengthen Ohio’s Behavioral Healthcare Workforce

In response to increasing shortages in the state’s behavioral healthcare workforce intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) took action to retain the community provider workforce through a $5 million federal CARES Act funding opportunity which assisted OhioMHAS certified community behavioral health centers (CBHCs) with retention incentives for their frontline staff. This behavioral health workforce retention incentive provided one-time allocation awards of up to $50,000 to more than 115 OhioMHAS-certified organizations, to invest in their workforce. These Community Behavioral Health Centers were able to use the funding to pay retention bonuses to medical, administrative, credentialed (including prevention specialists), peer recovery supporters, and non-credentialed (qualified mental health specialists and care management specialists) staff who continue to routinely perform their duties during the federal COVID-19 public health emergency. “Recruiting and retaining a skilled behavioral health workforce is one of the top challenges I hear from providers around Ohio,” said OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss. “Getting the best outcomes for Ohioans with mental health and substance use issues requires a behavioral health workforce that is supported in its ability to successfully provide care, and this funding is one opportunity to help retain those on the frontlines of community behavioral health during this critical time of need.” Click HERE for the full media announcement.

OhioMHAS-funded Problem Gambling Treatment Model Evaluation Published

The Jan. 1, 2022, Journal of Gambling Studies features the Longitudinal Assessment of a Manualized Group Treatment Program for Gambling Disorder: The Ohio Problem Gambling Treatment Model for Adults with Co Occurring Disorders written by authors Aaron J. Kruse Diehr, Stephen R. Shamblen, and Matthew W. Courser, and funded by the OhioMHAS. The treatment model developed by Marilyn Rule and Steve Kapela at Zepf Center of Lucas County was designed to help individuals with gambling disorder (GD) who experience a host of negative psychosocial and physical health outcomes, including co-occurring mental and behavioral health disorders. To better serve this population, Rule and Kapela developed a group-based GD treatment manual for adults with co-occurring disorders. Over the course of five years, 353 individuals engaged in at least some of the manual’s 12 weekly modules, and more than one-third (n=122) completed the entire curriculum. Participants who completed all 12 modules significantly decreased their GD symptom severity.

BrightView, Thrive to Host Free Narcan Distribution, Overdose Prevention Training – Jan. 6

BrightView and Thrive Peer Support are partnering to host a free Narcan distribution event and overdose prevention training on Jan. 6 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at BrightView Treatment Center, 5850 Ridge Road, Parma. In addition to providing free naloxone and training, the event will feature peer support, medication disposal bags, resources for Medication-Assisted Treatment, safe use supplies, refreshments and snacks. For more information, email arosser@thrivepeersupport.com or call 216.598.5647.

National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare New Resources and Learning Exchange Series

The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW) has released a new three-part series of technical assistance briefs: How States Serve Infants and their Families Affected by Prenatal Substance Exposure. NCSACW also announced a three-part Learning Exchange to explore each brief. These interactive sessions feature subject matter experts and professionals that are currently implementing innovative policies and practices that support families affected by prenatal substance exposure. Upcoming sessions include Jan. 11 and Feb. 8. Click the link above for more information and to register.

In the News

1.3.22 | The New York Times Why therapists are worried about mental health in America right now

1.3.22 | Columbus Business First What Ohio businesses can do to help Beat the Stigma of addiction

1.3.22 | Circleville Herald Ohio Mental Health, Addiction Services agency awards $5M in CARES Funding

1.3.22 | Dayton Daily News Story Chain helps area mother tell her story of addiction, incarceration, and recovery

1.3.22 | Cleveland.com Shaker Heights, MetroHealth collaboration will send social workers on 911 calls to connect mentally ill with help

1.3.22 | The Daily Jeffersonian Substance abuse clinic to open in Byesville

1.2.22 | CBS Sunday Morning Advice for parents concerned over a child’s mental health

1.2.22 | MedicalNewsToday COVID-19: Can mental health experts help improve vaccine hesitancy?

1.2.22 | Dayton Daily News Q&A: Therapist offers mental health strategies for coping with the pandemic

1.1.22 | The News Herald ‘Increasingly poisoned’ drug supply contributing to surge in Northeast Ohio overdose deaths, officials say

1.1.22 | Psychology Today Is mental health stigma decreasing? It’s complicated