NewsNow - 04.08.2022

>>> Governor DeWine Announces Formation of Student Safety Advisory Council

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine this week announced the creation of the new Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council within the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC). The student-led Council will work to identify school safety concerns and develop innovative solutions to address them. Findings from the student-based council meetings will be delivered to the Governor’s Ohio School Safety Working Group to generate statewide solutions and supports.

To be eligible for the Council, students must:

Be entering grade 11 for the 2022-2023 school year.
Submit a completed application and nomination letter, which must be submitted together to OhioSchoolSafetyCenter@dps.ohio.gov prior to the May 6, 2022 deadline to be considered.
Agree to serve a one-year term and attend monthly virtual meetings and one in-person meeting in Columbus.

Two students from each of the five school safety center regions will be selected for the Council. Students will have the opportunity to be involved in additional events both in person and remotely throughout their term. Those selected should plan on spending no fewer than 10 hours per month on group activities/work. Council members will develop strategies to encourage their peers to actively engage in maintaining a safe school environment and will be an advocate for students’ overall well-being. Students will work directly with the regional school safety liaisons from the OSSC to organize events, focus groups, and trainings in their regions to help highlight student success and safety best practices at various schools. These members will also act as a sounding board for the Governor’s Ohio School Safety Working Group and OSSC on student marketing campaigns and projects to ensure a student voice is represented. Candidates chosen to move forward with the process will be asked to attend a virtual interview. The OSSC plans to announce the student council member selections at the end of May. Visit the OSSC website for more information.

>>> Notification of GFMS System Update: SAM UEI Number

On March 18, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) added a new field ‘SAM Number’ to the Federal Requirements page of the Grant & Allocation applications within the Grants and Funding Management System (GFMS). The ‘SAM Number’ is the System of Award Management (SAM) Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This was done in preparation of the federal government transition on April 4, from the use of the Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as the unique entity ID, to the new UEI number issued from the System for Award Management (SAM).

What should I do in preparation of this change?

Please, make sure your organization has obtained their SAM UEI number. Click HERE to learn more about the sign-up process for a SAM UEI number.

How does this affect current and future funding opportunities with OhioMHAS?

All new funding applications (Grants & Allocations) that use the OhioMHAS Grant and Funding Management System (GFMS) now require an applicant to provide their organization’s ‘SAM Number’ before they can submit their applications for approval. Any grants currently in ‘NOSA awarded’ or ‘Fiscal Approved’ status would not be affected by the updated requirement.

*Note: This change also applies to any currently awarded Grant Application that are sent back for revisions as well.

>>> CMS Approves ARPA HCBS Provider Relief Payments

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) this week announced that it has received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the managed care portion of provider relief payments as appropriated by the Ohio General Assembly in H.B. 169.

This latest approval impacts the following categories:

MyCare
Hospice
Home Health
Community behavioral health
Non-institutional durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS)

Click the link above for the full ODM announcement and complete details about payments. Community provider relief payments are contained in Ohio’s American Rescue Plan Act Home- and Community-Based Services (ARPA HCBS) plan. For questions about any of these provider payments, please email ProviderReliefInquiries@medicaid.ohio.gov.

>>> Limited Space Remaining: Stage 1 Problem Gambling Training – April 12-14

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) has limited seats available for a Stage 1: Gambling, Problem Gambling, and Ohio’s Services System training scheduled for April 12-14. This is your last opportunity this fiscal year to attend the Stages training which will support obtaining the Gambling Endorsement (GAMB) or add gambling to your competency. This training will increase participants’ understanding of the current climate of gambling and gambling expansion, problem gambling risks and warning signs, at-risk populations, and co-morbidities. Stage I provides 12.0 CEUs for prevention and 8.0 CEUs for prevention professionals. Upcoming Stage 2 trainings include: Stage II for Treatment – May 18-20 and Stage II for Prevention – June 1-3. Click the links for more information and to register.

>>> PCSAO Wear Blue Event – April 13

Wear Blue, the Public Children Services Association of Ohio's statewide awareness campaign to show support for preventing child abuse and neglect, takes place on April 13. Take a photo of yourself and your family, coworkers, friends, neighbors, fellow students, and others wearing blue. Share the photo on your Facebook page or on the Ohio Wears Blue Facebook page. Use the hashtag: #OhioWearsBlue

>>> How to Help New Dads Thrive Lunch & Learn – April 20

The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund (OCTF) and OhioGuidestone's Father’s Feelings Project will host a How to Help New Dads Thrive Lunch & Learn webinar on April 20 at noon. During this virtual seminar, participants will learn about first-hand experiences from professionals working with new dads, including insights from fathers themselves. We’ll also discuss the importance of engaging dads in child care and family services, as well as strategies for engagement. Most importantly, this webinar will detail the needs and desires of male parents, how to support them and their mental health, and the impacts this can have on families and communities.

>>> Star Behavioral Health Providers: Intro to Military Culture and Deployment – May 12

Star Behavioral Health Providers (SBHP) is hosting a free Tier 1: Introduction to Military Culture and Deployment training on May 12 at Ohio University-Chillicothe. SBHP’s mission is to take care of the behavioral health needs of service members, veterans and their families. To do this, SBHP recruits and trains interested civilian behavioral health providers in military specific culture and treatments that focus on the needs of the military population. Click the link for more information and to register for this in-person training.

>>> 2022 Ohio Prevention Conference Virtual Summit – May 20

The Ohio State University College of Social Work, in partnership with OhioMHAS, is hosting the 2022 Ohio Prevention Conference Virtual Summit on May 20 from 9:00 a.m.-4:15 p.m. This free event will focus on prevention’s role within the continuum of care. Click the link above to view the agenda and to register.

>>> CADCA’s Annual Survey of Coalitions

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) Annual Survey of Coalitions is the nation’s oldest survey of substance use and misuse prevention coalitions. As CADCA’s largest data gathering effort, it provides insight into coalition processes, strategies and activities, and participation help them to:

Determine coalition development and training needs
Develop cutting edge content for webinars, NCAs, Forum, Mid-Year and more
Identify successful coalition strategies
Advocate on the Hill for more funding for prevention coalitions
Develop collaborative projects between coalitions, CADCA and key partners

The Annual Survey is only open through the end of May, and your participation allows CADCA to provide accurate and informative data about coalition efforts in Ohio. Each coalition has its own unique link, so if you have not received yours yet, please complete this form to have one sent to you. All coalitions, regardless of CADCA membership or DFC status, are encouraged to complete the survey. The best person to complete the survey is someone familiar with the day-to-day operations of the coalition, typically a coordinator or director. It takes 30-45 minutes to complete, and as a thank you for participation, CADCA is raffling off several free registrations to the Mid-Year Training Institute in Orlando for coalitions that complete the survey. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please contact survey@cadca.org.

>>> OSPF “Let’s Talk About Suicide” Resource

Having a conversation about suicide can be difficult but essential. The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) has created a Let’s Talk About Suicide guide for parents and caregivers on how to have an age-appropriate discussion with children and youth about suicide. Please email keiko.talley@ohiospf.org for a free printed copy.

>>> New “Voices for Suicide Prevention” Podcast Features Former Ohio State University Football Player

In the latest episode of the OSPF Voices for Suicide Prevention podcast, former Ohio State University offensive lineman Harry Miller shares why he medically retired from the sport to focus on his mental health. You'll hear from Harry in his own words along with two experts: Tyler Hudson, a Ph.D. candidate with a master's degree in mental health counseling, and Jason Hughes, program manager and veterans liaison at OSPF. Both men are veterans, and add an even deeper layer to the conversation with their combined decades of military service.

In the News

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4.8.22 | Air Force Magazine Stigma, ‘institutional policies’ discouraging troops from getting mental health help

4.7.22 | Cincinnati Enquirer Young people’s overdose deaths jumped in 2020, so, now what?

4.7.22 | Cincinnati Enquirer Kids express stress, other mental health troubles in student survey; agencies vow response

4.7.22 | Vox A survey on global mental well-being shows that the kids are not all right

4.7.22 | NPR People are developing trauma-like symptoms as the pandemic wears on

4.7.22 | Columbus Dispatch (Column) Pharmacist: while eyes are on opioids, methamphetamine ending lives below the surface

4.7.22 | Delaware Gazette Recovery docket earns final certification

4.7.22 | Richland Source Lexington high, junior high schools to welcome mental health ‘wellness coordinators’

4.6.22 | WHIO-TV Mental health professionals struggle to meet growing demand

4.6.22 | Ohio Capital Journal Losing sleep over the pandemic? Work flexibility may be a boon for night owl’s health