>>> Governor DeWine to Deliver 2022 State of the State Address – March 23

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Tuesday announced that he will deliver his 2022 State of the State Address to the General Assembly on March 23 at noon in its traditional location of the Ohio House Chamber of the Statehouse. The announcement follows the invitation of Ohio General Assembly leaders. Governor DeWine will speak about the strength of the state, the joint work of his Administration and the General Assembly to help all Ohioans reach their full potential, and his vision for the future. The Governor’s address will be broadcast live on The Ohio Channel.

>>> Director Criss Provides Update on Ohio’s 988 Implementation Plan to Ohio House Behavioral Health Committee

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director Lori Criss provided an update on Ohio’s plan to implement a new, three-digit 988 Crisis Hotline to members of the Ohio House Behavioral Health and Recovery Supports Committee. Federal legislation passed in October 2020 requires all states to transition from a 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number to 988 by July 16, 2022. Click HERE to view a recording of the Director’s presentation on The Ohio Channel.

>>> Ohio Department of Insurance Releases 2022 Annual Mental Health Parity Report

The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI), in partnership with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), is pleased to announce the availability of the 2022 Annual Mental Health Parity Report. The report, which includes information on consumer and payer outreach activities and identification of trends and barriers to access and coverage in this state, is required by law. Click HERE for more information and to view an archive of previous reports on the ODI website.  

>>> OhioRISE Launches 20 Regional Providers to Serve Children with Intense BH Needs

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) Director Maureen Corcoran named the 20 community-oriented Care Management Entities (CMEs) selected to build local systems of care for OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence), Ohio’s first highly integrated care program for youth with complex behavioral health and multi-system needs. The selected CMEs consist of highly experienced organizations that provide community mental health and substance use, specialty care coordination, hospital, and educational services. Read the full news release.

>>> OhioPRO to Host Peer Support Lunch and Learn Event – Feb. 24

Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO) is sponsoring a Peer Support Lunch and Learn Event on Feb. 24 from noon-1:00 p.m. The “Sit Back & Unpack: Connection Through Community for Peer Recovery Supporters” lunch and learn series will be an ongoing, monthly Zoom-based session designed by peer supporters for peer supporters. In addition to the peer to peer connection, the meetings will become a platform through which resources can be shared and peer learning opportunities provided. Click HERE to register. For more information, please email Michael Krause at MKrause@ohio-pro.com. 

>>> Ninth Annual Gambling Disorder Screening Day – March 8

Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, invites you to participate in the Ninth Annual Gambling Disorder Screening Day on March 8. Gambling-related problems are often undetected and untreated, though effective treatments are available. Screening Day is designed to encourage and support providers to screen for gambling disorder, and to spread awareness and education. Individuals and organizations can participate in Screening Day with free screening tools and toolkits, informational flyers and one-pagers, as well as helping spread awareness of screening for gambling disorder. An instructional video is available and numerous promotional materials for Screening Day through web posts, press releases, emails to contact lists, and social media. Click HERE to learn more and to access shareable resources. To host a Screening Day activity at your organization, email info@divisiononaddiction.org.

>>> Proposals Sought for Ohio Problem Gambling Survey

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is soliciting competitive proposals for Round Three of the Ohio Problem Gambling Survey, which will assess the human impact of gambling in the state since the initial 2012 survey.  The intent is to engage a vendor to undertake development and data collection activities for an OhioMHAS survey on gambling in Ohio.  The Contractor will also provide the State with final survey instruments in English and Spanish, biweekly fieldwork status reports, a final dataset, and a technical report detailing the sampling methodology and field procedures. More information on this RFP can be found on the OhioBuys website.

>>> HRSA BHW Virtual All Grantee and Stakeholder Meeting – April 5-6

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW), will host a virtual All Grantee and Stakeholder Meeting, “Equity, Resilience, and Community Needs: The Future of America’s Health Workforce,” on April 5-6. The meeting brings together HRSA health workforce grant recipients and stakeholders to collaborate and discuss  ways we can work together to effectively implement health workforce priorities and use innovative approaches to address community health needs. Key Areas of Discussion will include: COVID-19; health equity and diversity; behavioral health and community health; and provider resilience and telehealth. Click the link above for more information and to register. Questions? Please email: BHWALLGRANTEEVM@HRSA.GOV.

In the News

2.16.22 | WEWS-TV New billboards downtown to shift focus to mental health when it comes to sports

2.15.22 | WEWS-TV Mentor police awarded grant to address officers’ mental health

2.15.22 | Columbus Messenger News West Jeff schools provide students with mental health services

2.15.22 | WDTN-TV Youth mental health issues reach crisis levels during the pandemic

2.14.22 | WTOV-TV Operation Street Smart makes a stop in Steubenville

2.14.22 | American Journal of Managed Care Developing strategies to drive value in mental health care, Part 1

2.14.22 | WEWS-TV Voices for Change Podcast – Suicide: Choosing Death Over Life

2.10.22 | The Washington Times With sports betting boom comes increase in problem gamblers, experts say