>>> RFA: Supported Employment for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Office of Community Planning and Collaborations has posted the Supported Employment Services for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder RFA (MHA-FY22-Community Planning – Supported Employment – 09). Grant award amounts are up to $50,000 per awardee. All questions must be submitted by May 9 to MHA-Employment@mha.ohio.gov. Responses to frequently asked questions will be posted on the OhioMHAS Funding Opportunities webpage. Applications are must be submitted to MHA-Employment@mha.ohio.gov by 5 p.m. on May 16.

>>> RFI: Publicly-Funded Behavioral Health Billable Claims System

OhioMHAS is seeking Letters of Interest from contractors with the ability and interest to offer professional services to develop and implement a non-Medicaid, publicly funded behavioral health claims billing system for Ohio, as well as educate and train stakeholders on the use of this system.

The purpose of this RFI is not a solicitation to procure, but rather to gain familiarity with currently marketed products and services for this type of system. This RFI contains preliminary information to serve as a platform to initiate discussion with the contractor community. This information is non-binding to OhioMHAS, regarding any future solicitation that may or not be issued by this agency. Letters of Interest are due by 2 p.m. on May 6.

>>> Free SMART Recovery Training for Rural Housing Operators

The Fletcher Group Rural Center Of Excellence is offering SMART Recovery's 12-week training program free to the first 100 recovery houses that meet the Health Resources and Services Administration’s rural criteria and apply to participate. The CoE is also offering a $1,200 scholarship stipend as an additional incentive. SMART is a science-based approach that works side-by-side with 12-Step and other programs to build the life skills needed to achieve long-term recovery and lead balanced, fulfilling lives. Program participants will receive free access to the SMART program; free materials including the Successful Life Skills handbook; the use of tablet computers if needed; and the training and certification of house members as co-facilitators who can then "pay it forward" by teaching SMART to others. SMART Recovery will also be featured at Rural CoE’s June 8-10 Building Rural Recovery Housing Summit in Memphis, TN, with travel and accommodation costs covered by a travel stipend for those who qualify.

>>> Certified Family Peer Supporter Training

NAMI Ohio is offering Certified Family Peer Supporter training in May and June. This free, 40-hour training, accepted by OhioMHAS, will support the workforce development of certified family peer supporters in Ohio. Participants will learn about the core competencies of family peer support as outlined by the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health to ensure that individuals employed as family peer supporters in Ohio promote ethical and best practice within the profession. The training will be both in person and virtual. The location for the in-person portion of the training will be at Thrive Peer Recovery Services in Solon. Sessions include: May 3-5 (in-person) and May 16-17 (virtual), and June 7-9 (in-person) and June 20-21 (virtual). Click HERE for more information and to register.

>>> Drs. Fred and Penny Frese Virtual Lecture: Stories of Living Successfully with Schizophrenia – May 24

Peg’s Foundation and the Northeast Ohio Medical University Coordinating Centers of Excellence are partnering to host Community-Building and Collaboration Among Students with Psychosis on May 24 from 1-2 p.m., as part of the Drs. Fred and Penny Frese virtual lecture series. The Drs. Fred and Penny Frese Lecture series honors the late Fred Frese, Ph.D., and Penny Frese, Ph.D., by sharing stories of individuals living successfully with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses and how their loved ones support their recovery. Dr. Fred Frese held leadership positions with NAMI National, NAMI Ohio and NAMI Summit County. Questions? Please call 330.325.6698 or email bestcenter@neomed.edu.  

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