NewsNow - 01.11.2023

Jan 11. 2023

>>> Governor DeWine Stresses Mental Health in Second Inaugural Address

Governor Mike DeWine was sworn in for his second term at his Cedarville home Sunday and held a ceremonial inauguration at the Ohio Statehouse Monday afternoon. Lori Criss (pictured above with Governor DeWine, First Lady Francis DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and wife Tina) was sworn in for a second term as director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). In his inaugural address, Gov. DeWine talked about Ohio's future and the work yet to be done. In particular, Governor DeWine noted that he wants Ohio to be “the best state in the nation” for mental-health treatment, research, and prevention efforts. Cleveland.com reported that DeWine’s comments come after he previously has said the two-year state budget plan he will propose in the coming weeks will be heavy on mental-health priorities, including expanding services, research and job development. Click HERE to read the Governor’s second inaugural address (as prepared).

>>> Changes Coming to OhioMHAS eNews

It’s been said that the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. In that vein, the OhioMHAS Office of Public Affairs is excited to announce that we soon will be transitioning OhioMHAS NewsNow and other important electronic stakeholder communications to GovDelivery, an integrated communications platform that allows government agencies to easily connect and engage citizens and stakeholders. The platform is currently utilized by many federal, state and local agencies to provide timely and useful communications to constituents.

We are committed to making the transition as seamless as possible. Current eNews subscribers will not need to take any action, and will automatically continue to receive regular updates from the department. As part of this change, NewsNow will be delivered to your inbox from OhioMHAS@public.govdelivery.com, so be sure to add us to your contacts. While subscribers will notice an updated and improved template, NewsNow will still contain the same news and training information you expect. Subscribers will, however, have the option to subscribe to other GovDelivery-based newsletters. OhioMHAS Public Affairs is currently working with IT to update the subscriber form accessible from the Department’s home page at mha.ohio.gov. Our goal is to finish testing and deploy the new-look NewsNow this month. As always, we encourage and value feedback from partners like you to help ensure we provide high quality news and information. Stay tuned!

>>> RFP: Ohio Gambling Disorder Telehealth Administration and Clinical Services

OhioMHAS is seeking proposals from qualified agencies to administer and provide telehealth services for gambling disorder. In 2017, the Ohio Gambling Survey indicated that more than 900,000 Ohioans are at risk for problem gambling. Nationally, it is estimated that only one in 10 individuals needing treatment receives clinical services for problem gambling. To help expand access to all Ohioans who may not have otherwise received clinical care, this proposal seeks to identify an administrative agency and at least two behavioral health agencies to provide telehealth services for individuals in need of gambling disorder/problem gambling services. Proposals must be submitted by Jan. 25 by 2:00 p.m.

>>> SFY 2023 Enhancing Quality Grant for Class 2 and 3 Residential Facilities

OhioMHAS is pleased to announce that $6,250,000 in grant funding will be made available for State Fiscal Year 2023 to improve and assist with operating expenses and preserve housing for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness living in OhioMHAS licensed Class 2 and 3 residential facilities (RF2s and RF3s). The approved SFY2022-2023 biennium budget introduced Section 337.90. COMMUNITY INNOVATIONS- appropriation item 336504 for, up to $6,000,000 in each fiscal year to be used for operating expenses that result in improved quality of life for adults with severe mental illness living in RF2s and RF3s. An Additional $250,000 was given by Ohio Housing Finance Agency to address critical repairs.

This year, OhioMHAS is offering up to three grant opportunities to assist operators of eligible RF2s and RF3s experiencing increased operating expenses; operating expenses that increase quality of life and minor updates and repairs and limited critical repairs of their homes that will result in improved quality of life for adults with severe mental illness living in those facilities. This grant opportunity is focused on improvements to the physical environment, programmatic environment, physical structure, and enhanced safety that can demonstrate enhanced quality of life for residents. Operators may apply for all three tiers depending on eligibility.

Technical Assistance Sessions:

OhioMHAS will be offering webinars to provide an overview of the funding opportunity, review of the application and requirements, as well as an opportunity to answer general questions. Attendance is required to be eligible for funding. All sessions will cover the same material, so please only sign up for one session. You can find the dates and registration links here: https://mha.ohio.gov/supporting-providers/apply-for-funding/funding-opportunities/fy23-housing-grants.

>>> OCD Essentials Training Series: Diagnosing and Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Hopewell will host a four-part educational series discussing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clinicians from Hopewell Therapeutic Farm Community and the Lindner Center will partner with Dr. Charles Brady to discuss the essentials of OCD. Dr. Brady is a nationally recognized board-certified clinical psychologist who worked as an associate professor at University of Cincinnati's Department of Psychiatry, served as the Director of the OCD and Anxiety Services program at Lindner, helped to launch OCD Mid-West, and was instrumental in developing the OCD treatment program at Hopewell. The series begins by outlining OCD and how it is assessed, diagnosed, and treated. Subsequent sessions are aim to provide more information and education on various OCD topics. This training will be conducted as a Zoom webinar; however, participants should be prepared to engage in discussion, activities, and breakout groups. Video and microphone availability will be needed to fully engage in the training. Upcoming training dates include: Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 17, and April 14. Click HERE to register for the January training. Questions? Please email tbitting@hopewell.cc.

In the News

1.10.23 | Ohio Capital Journal Huge mental health investment coming to Ohio

1.10.23 | Ohio Capital Journal Law removing harmful language on mental health, disabilities praised by advocates

1.10.23 | The Associated Press Cries for help pour into 988 mental health, suicide line

1.10.23 | Cincinnati Enquirer Ohio decriminalized fentanyl test strips. Here’s why experts say that matters.

1.10.23 | WOIO-TV Former addicts use their recovery to help others in Cleveland

1.10.23 | WEWS-TV Trevor Projects warns of mental health crisis among LGBTQ youth

1.10.23 | WDTN-TV Montgomery County launches Behavioral Health Task Force initiative

1.9.23 | Dayton Daily News Dayton Children’s seeks funding for behavioral health crisis center expansion

1.9.23 | The News-Herald Lake County ADAMHS Board receives grant to fight youth problem gambling

1.9.23 | Columbus Monthly Why Ohio State Football Coach Ryan Day and wife Nina champion mental health

1.9.23 | Statehouse News Bureau DeWine sets agenda for second term in office during inauguration ceremony