Incident Reporting Process Changes Effective Feb. 15

As part of the Department’s ongoing system improvement efforts in Licensure and Certification, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Bureau of Licensure and Certification will no longer accept required incident reports submitted via fax, email, U.S. Mail, or in‐person delivery. Effective Feb. 15, all incident reports must be filed through the Web Enabled Incident Reporting System (WEIRS). Filing incident reports electronically promotes timeliness in the submission of reportable incidents by the provider and increases the efficiency of OhioMHAS’ review process of the incidents. Note: This requirement to file through WEIRS does not change any reporting requirements regarding when or why an organization must file an incident report, it only impacts how the report is filed. Please refer to this Feb. 2 memo sent to all OhioMHAS licensed/certified providers for more information on how to access WEIRS, including instructions and tutorial guides on the creation of a secure OH|ID.

Ohio Creates Trauma Certificate to Help Children and Families

A new online training certificate will assist social service professionals, public assistance professionals, and early childhood professionals who work with children and families that have experienced trauma. The training is free, and the certificate will be effective for two years. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), OhioMHAS, and the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA) invested nearly $1 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds to develop the three-tier certificate and curriculum. Those undergoing the training will demonstrate knowledge and skill development in the trauma competencies adopted by the Family First Leadership Advisory Committee. Professionals can achieve proficiency in the following levels: Trauma Aware, Trauma Informed and Trauma Competent. Case managers, caseworkers, teachers, therapists, police officers, pastors, probation officers and others can enhance their skills by accessing this website: occrra.org/our-resources-page. Click HERE to view the press announcement.

Recovery Scholarships Offered for 18th Annual Ohio Problem Gambling Conference

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio and Ohio for Responsible Gambling will once again offer scholarships to attend the virtual 18th Annual Ohio Problem Gambling Conference for persons in recovery, Certified Peer Supporters, and family members. Preference will be based on the date the application was submitted, geographical diversity, contribution to the recovery community or intention to contribute, and availability of funds. Applications may be submitted online through Google Forms at PGNOhio.org/Conference or downloaded from the website and emailed to CBrown@PGNOhio.org.
Questions? Please email CBrown@PGNOhio.org or call 614.750.9899, ext. 104.

COVID-19: Vaccines, Research and Resistance to Vaccination – Feb. 17

Northeast Ohio Medical University and Akron Children’s Hospital are partnering to host a COVID-19: Vaccines, Research and Resistance to Vaccination webinar on Feb. 17 from 7-8:30 a.m. Dr. Angelo DeLucia, Virologist at Northeast Medical University and Dr. Thomas File, Jr., Infectious Disease physician at Summa Health will discuss updates on COVID-19 vaccines, research, safety data and the experience with vaccine usage nationally and internationally. Please click the link for more information and to register.

Ohio Providers Secure More than $28 Million in Federal Grants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently notified OhioMHAS that it has awarded more than $28 million in federal grants to Ohio providers. The following organizations received funding through SAMHSA’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Expansion Grant program: Behavioral Healthcare Partners of Central Ohio, Inc. (Newark) - $2,233,121; Centers for Family and Children (Cleveland) - $4,000,000; Coleman Professional Services, Inc. (Kent) $3,998,484; Community Mental Health Centers of Warren County, Inc. (Lebanon) - $3,783,273; Crossroads Lake County Adolescent Counseling Service (Mentor) - $4,000,000; Exclusive Services, LLC (Cincinnati) - $4,000,000; Hopewell Health Centers, Inc. (Athens) - $4,000,000. New Horizons Mental Health Services (Lancaster) - $2,720,653; and The Nord Center (Lorain) - $3,652,320; The Northern Ohio Recovery Association, Inc. (Cleveland) received a $50,000 Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act grant program award.

National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center February Trainings

The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center has released a schedule of web-based trainings for the month of February. Click the links below for more information and to register.
Feb. 10 | Inspiring and Engaging Hispanic/Latinx Populations in Recovery by Using Motivational Interviewing Principles
Feb. 11 | Advancing the Wellbeing of Latino Families in DC Using a Community of Practice Approach
Feb. 17 | Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Services for Latinx/Hispanics
Feb. 25 | Addressing the Emotional Wellbeing of Hispanic Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Feb. 26 | A Clinician’s Guide to First Episode Psychosis for Latinx Youth
Feb. 26 | Suicide Prevention in Latino and Indigenous Youths Populations

NIMH Initiative Expands Access to Resources for Early Psychosis Treatment and Research

The Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET), a broad research initiative aimed at determining how to provide best treatment for individuals experiencing symptoms of early psychosis, continues to expand its reach by increasing access to resources for researchers, providers, and families. Among other efforts, the initiative is growing its network of research hubs and launched a new web portal. EPINET is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Read the full research highlight.

In the News

2.4.21 | WEWS-TV Lorain County schools receive help prioritizing mental health through grant funding
2.3.21 | Columbus Dispatch ADAMH gets $9.7M to fund inclusive Ohio-wide mental health, wellness campaign
2.3.21 | WOUB 1340AM Super Bowl gambling can prompt dangerous addictive behaviors
2.3.21 | HealthDay 1 in 3 young Americans prescribed a psychiatric drug misuses them: study
2.3.21 | WEWS-TV Methamphetamine seizures up; authorities concerned about deadly combination with fentanyl
2.3.21 | NPR As overdose deaths surge, White House takes steps to build drug policy team
2.3.21 | WBNS-TV Mother shares story of recovery, fighting addiction during COVID-19
2.3.21 | WTOL-TV Balancing tech time and avoiding ‘internet addiction’ among children
2.3.21 | EurekAlert! Maternal mental health needs attention during COVID-19 lockdowns
2.2.21 | WKRC-TV Schools prepare to give students support as pandemic continues toll on mental health
2.2.21 | WKEF-TV “A lot of these people died alone,” says ADAMHS Director on surge in opioid overdoses
2.2.21 | Ohio Valley ReSource Addiction in the Pandemic: Interview with a member of Narcotics Anonymous
2.2.21 | Healio Cannabis use in youth with mood disorders linked to risk for self-harm, suicide
2.2.21 | Live Science Horse tranquilizer (xylazine)emerges as new and deadly street drug in U.S.
1.26.21 | Ashland Source Ashland’s peer support group for ‘voice hearers’ delivers holistic approach to facilitate healing