>>> Mental Health and Addiction Services Highlighted in Governor’s State of the State

Mental health and addiction issues were a central focus of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s State of the State address Wednesday – his first since the start of the pandemic. The governor noted that mental illness is on the rise, drug overdose deaths remain at a record level, and suicide rates are increasing in rural Ohio and minority communities. He vowed to make mental health and addiction services visible, accessible, and effective. Governor DeWine will do so by: 1) growing Ohio’s behavioral health workforce; 2) increasing research and innovation; and 3) building community capacity for care that offers better crisis response services and treatment, increased prevention efforts, and more residential outpatient services. “The future Ohio that I envision has the best, most robust behavioral health workforce in the country — a workforce that is hailed as heroic and valued as a vital part of our healthcare system," DeWine said.

Governor DeWine highlighted recent investments benefitting behavioral health care, including the creation of the Ohio Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence (OhioRISE) program, funding to strengthen school-based prevention programming and addiction treatment, but said the work is not finished. “My friends, the system isn’t broken — it was just never fully built." DeWine said. "And so, we must build it! We must do the work that has never been done.” Governor DeWine also recognized NAMI Ohio Executive Director Terry Russell (pictured at left with Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director Lori Criss and Ohio Department of Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran) for his efforts to support those living with mental illness and their families. 

Click HERE to watch a recording of the Governor’s State of the State address on The Ohio Channel, HERE to read the full transcript of his prepared remarks, and HERE for key highlights.

>>> FY22 Enhancing Quality Grant for Residential Facilities Class 2 (MHA-FY22-Recovery-EQ Residential-07)

OhioMHAS is excited to provide a funding opportunity (MHA-FY22-Recovery-EQ Residential-07) to enhance quality within all eligible Class 2 and Class 3 Residential Facilities. Funds shall be used for operating expenses that result in improved quality of life for adults with severe mental illness living in those facilities. This funding is focused on three areas that facilitate an enhanced quality of life for residents: physical environment, programmatic environment and safety. The deadline to apply is April 17 at 5:00 p.m. Questions? Please email Housinggrant@mha.ohio.gov.

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. All sessions will be covering the same material, so please only sign up for one session.

March 24 | 3:00-4:30 p.m. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4103204093573998863

March 29 | 10:30 a.m. –noon https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5939759047378344205

April 8 |10:30 a.m.–noon https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7449796431128773644

OhioMHAS is partnering with the Ohio Adult Care Facilities Association (OACFA) to provide one-on-one technical assistance for the application and application portal. Please contact Terry Russell, Director of the Ohio Adult Care Facilities Association at terry@namiohio.org.

>>> Ohio Community Impact Initiative for Coalitions and Youth Led Programs

The OhioMHAS Office of Prevention is accepting applications for the Ohio Community Impact Initiative for Coalitions and Youth Led Programs grant (MHA-FY22-Prevention-Coalitions and Youth Led Programs-08) beginning on April 1. These funds are expected to: enhance the primary prevention infrastructure within communities using the Strategic Prevention Framework planning model and implementing evidence-based practices and the six CSAP prevention strategies with an emphasis on environmental approaches; incorporate strategies around adverse childhood experiences to improve substance misuse outcomes among all populations, but especially young adults 18-25; preventing and reducing marijuana use by youth below the state’s legal age of use; and mitigating the impact of increased alcohol access by youth as identified during the COVID-19 pandemic; and identify and address disparities and incorporate equitable approaches. Click HERE to view the RFP. The deadline to apply is May 2 at 5:00 p.m.

>>> OhioRISE Community and Provider Training – Module 2

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) invites you to attend Module 2 of the OhioRISE community and provider training series. This module covers referrals and care coordination, and system of care integration. The live Module 2 training session will occur on March 29 from 12:30-5 p.m. (Register) Please do not use Microsoft Edge when joining the training or your microphone may not connect. A recording of the training will be available on the OhioRISE webpage the week of April 4 if you are unable to attend. Office hours will be held on April 6 from 1-2 p.m., April 7 from 9-10 a.m., and April 8 from 8-9 a.m. to provide opportunities to ask questions to OhioRISE subject matter experts.

ODM will send information about the upcoming modules 3 and 4 soon, which cover the following training topics: IT Systems, Enrollment, Billing and Claims and Systems Engagement - Local and Statewide. OhioRISE will also offer trainings for community partners between now and go-live for child protection, juvenile justice, developmental disability boards, managed care and providers, and hospitals. Watch for additional communications from ODM in the coming months regarding trainings for other elements of the Ohio Medicaid Next Generation Program, including the Provider Network Management module/Centralized Credentialing, Fiscal Intermediary, and the Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager. Please view ODM’s OhioRISE community and provider training series announcement on the OhioRISE webpage or refer to this document for more information including all Module 2 registration and meeting links. Direct any additional OhioRISE questions to OhioRISE@medicaid.ohio.gov.

>>> It’s Time to Start Planning for SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week 2022

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Prevention Week (NPW) is a national public education platform that brings communities and organizations together to educate the public about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health, while sharing information about effective prevention strategies. This year, NPW will be observed May 8–14. Visit the NPW website to stay updated and check back often for new resources that can help you start planning your activities.

In the News

3.23.22 | WSYX-TV Mental health, addiction take center stage in Ohio governor’s State of the State address

3.23.22 | Columbus Dispatch Police funding, mental health among Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s focus in State of the State

3.23.22 | Marietta Times (Editorial) DREAM program is just one step needed

3.22.22 | Dayton Business Journal Addiction recovery provider opens Dayton area clinic

3.22.22 | WTOL-TV TPS school resource officers step in to help student in crisis

3.22.22 | Today Mom of former Ohio State football player shares journey with son through mental health crisis

3.21.22 | The Washington Post A new 9-1-1 for mental health is on the way

3.21.22 | WKSU 89.7 Lorain County to receive $1.5M for new drug treatment center