Governor Announces $13M to Help Local Communities Continue Fight Against Opioid Addiction

Governor Mike DeWine today joined RecoveryOhio and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) to announce funding awards totaling more than $13 million to help communities throughout Ohio continue the fight against opioid addiction and prevent overdose deaths. These State Opioid Response (SOR) 2.0 grants come at a time when many communities are seeing increased demand for behavioral health services amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. All told, the state announced a total of 57 awards, including nearly $4.9 million to 36 community organizations under the “Use of Community Partners” program, and $8.3 million to 21 recipients of the “Use of Innovation” program. Click HERE to view the media release and complete list of grantees.

Ohio Commission on Fatherhood ‘Responsible Fatherhood’ Grants

The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood has released a new Request for Grant Applications to fund up to three multi-county grantees. Organizations chosen will receive $215,000 each state fiscal year between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023, to implement a comprehensive countywide approach to promoting responsible fatherhood. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. on April 29. Fore more information, please view this opportunity on the State Procurement web site.

Spring Into Action for Healthy Kids Webinar Series

The Ohio Children’s Alliance is partnering with Health Management Associates, the Health Action Council, United Healthcare and CVS Health to host a Spring Into Action for Healthy Kids webinar series. The series, which examines the impact of COVID-19 on routine vaccinations and annual examines, kicks off April 5 at 9 a.m. Click the link for more information, additional training dates and registration information.

Recovery Housing Development Guidebook Webinars

OhioMHAS and Ohio Recovery Housing have produced a new recovery housing development guidebook that outlines definitions, operational considerations, best practices and resources designed to help potential and existing recovery housing operator establish high quality environments for people in recovery. The agencies have teamed up to host a new, web-based training series that will highlight of the content of the guidebook, discuss how to use its resources, and review resources available to potential and existing operators of recovery housing. The series will kick off on May 5 with a webinar focusing on administrative and operational considerations, while subsequent webinars on May 25 and June 16 will focus on recovery support activities. Click HERE to register for the series.

$12.5M Available for New Coalitions Addressing Youth Substance Use Prevention

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program, managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is accepting applications (CDC-RFA-CE-21-2102) for funding to support new community prevention coalitions. To be eligible, a coalition must have never received DFC grant previously. Recipients are expected to work with leaders in their communities to identify and address local youth substance use problems and create sustainable community-level change through the implementation of evidence-based and practice-based strategies. Awards will support coalitions as they design programs aligned to the Strategic Prevention Framework and the Seven Strategies for Community Change. Coalitions work with representatives from 12 sectors within their communities to implement activities such as providing information, enhancing skills, changing policies, and more. Recipients can receive up to $125,000 per year for up to five years. Applications are due May 10.

Just Released: NIH Minority Health and Heath Disparities Strategic Plan 2021-2025

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities this week announced the release of the NIH Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan 2021-2025. The plan’s goals for advancing minority health and health disparities research are in three categories:

1. Scientific Research, such as advancing the understanding of the causes of health disparities.
2. Sustaining Activities, such as strengthening the national research capacity to address minority health and health disparities, especially in minority-serving institutions.
3. Outreach, Collaboration, and Dissemination, such as cultivating and expanding the community of researchers and advocates in the area of minority health and health disparities.

Opportunity for Behavioral Health Agencies to Apply for Expanded HIE Services

The following information was distributed today in a MIT BITS and is being amplified here as a courtesy.

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), in partnership with OhioMHAS, has obtained tentative approval for time-sensitive federal funding to expand the utilization of Health Information Exchange (HIE) services and functions among Ohio’s behavioral health provider network. This opportunity is focused on supporting behavioral and physical health integration through care coordination and data exchange. At this time, this technical assistance opportunity is limited to interested providers enrolled with Ohio Medicaid to render BOTH mental health and substance use disorder treatment to Medicaid beneficiaries. To move forward with this process, ODM requires additional information from interested agencies, specifically regarding their interest in HIEs and HIE services. Agency interest and information will be collected through completion of an Agency Interest Survey no later than April 9. An informational meeting regarding this funding opportunity will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on April 5 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Click HERE to join the Teams meeting (Dial-in number 614.721.2972, ID# 591 368 333). For more information, please refer to the April 1 edition of MITS BITS.

In the News

4.1.21 | WEWS-TV A culinary program in Medina has found the recipe for success and redemption for its workers in recovery

4.1.21 | The New York Times Science plays the long game. But, people have mental health issues now.

4.1.21 | Norwalk Reflector Women’s recovery home needed

3.31.21 | Hamilton Journal-News Survey: A third of adults in region say mental health worsened during pandemic

3.31.21 | Lorain Morning-Journal Link-age launches new pharmacy program

3.31.21 | The New York Times How to lower your child’s risk for addiction

3.31.21 | WEWS-TV NE Ohio woman helps members of her community find a fresh start

3.30.21 | Kent Wired Suicide rates expected to increase after 2020

3.30.21 | HealthDay When pot use starts in teens, drug addiction more likely: study

3.30.21 | Cleveland.com Mindfulness Mondays and No Meeting Fridays: NE Ohio businesses combat pandemic fatigue

3.29.21 | The New York Times Teenage brains may be especially vulnerable to marijuana and other drugs