>>> Governor DeWine Highlights Historic Investments in Capital Budget Bill

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced several historic investments contained in House Bill 687, the capital budget bill. House Bill 687 provides more than $92 million for mental health and addiction services across the state and in our communities, including support for renovations and improvements at our state behavioral health hospitals, funding for local supportive and recovery housing, mental health treatment facilities, consumer operated services and peer recovery centers, and community-located programming spaces, and support for community resiliency projects for middle and high school youth. These projects emphasize community capacity for treatment and recovery, risk reduction, improved quality of care, and enhancing partnerships in communities.

>>> RFP: Ohio Center of Excellence for School Based Prevention & Early Intervention

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is accepting applications from institutions of higher education to serve as the lead organization in development and implementation of the Ohio Center of Excellence (COE) for School-Based Prevention & Early Intervention. The project period is Aug. 1, 2022-June 30, 2024, and funding is up to $5,000,000 over two years. Applications must be submitted by July 8 to MHAS-OPWGRANTS@mha.ohio.gov by 3:00 p.m. All questions must be submitted by 5 p.m. on June 24 to MHAS-OPWGRANTS@mha.ohio.gov Responses to frequently asked questions will be posted on the OhioMHAS Funding Opportunities webpage.

>>> RFP: Evidence Based Suicide Prevention Programming for Schools

OhioMHAS is accepting applications from prevention organizations to support the statewide expansion of an evidence-based suicide prevention program for elementary and secondary students while strengthening and enhancing a statewide network of supports for program implementation fidelity. The project period is Aug. 1, 2022-June 30, 2024, and funding is up to $2,000,000 per fiscal year. Applications must be submitted no later than 3 p.m. on July 8 to MHAS-OPWGRANTS@mha.ohio.gov. All questions must be submitted by 5 p.m. on June 24 to MHAS-OPWGRANTS@mha.ohio.gov. Responses to frequently asked questions will be posted on the OhioMHAS Funding Opportunities webpage.

>>> Reposted RFP: Behavioral Health Careers Education and Careers Awareness Market Analysis

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to conduct a market analysis for purposes of understanding current awareness of and perceptions of careers in behavioral health fields; identifying specific audiences to target for behavioral health workforce recruiting campaigns; determine effective communications channels and strategies for reaching those audiences; and deliver a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations for courses of action. Proposals must be submitted by 2 p.m. on July 6.

>>> Reposted RFP: Behavioral Health Workforce Consultant

OhioMHAS is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to serve as a behavioral health workforce consultant. The consultant will facilitate a behavioral health workforce advisory council; collect and compile data on Ohio’s behavioral health workforce; provide ongoing technical assistance to OhioMHAS through all project phases; prepare a “synthesis report”; prepare a final report containing findings and recommendations concerning behavioral health workforce initiatives at the state and local levels; and collaborate with OhioMHAS, the advisory council, and others to implement recommendations from the final report. Proposals must be submitted by 2 p.m. on July 6.

>>> Reminder: Direct Care Workforce Expansion Survey Open Through June 17

The public comment period for providing your experience and feedback on the direct care workforce shortage is open until this Friday, June 17.  All the information gathered will be shared with the public. If you need an accommodation to fully participate in this survey, or have questions, please email Jonathon Field at Jonathon.Field@jfs.ohio.gov.

>>> SAMHSA Recovery Innovation Challenge Informational Webinar – June 15

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Recovery Innovation Challenge application is now open. The Recovery Innovation Challenge aims to identify innovations developed “on the ground” that have advanced recovery since SAMHSA established its recovery definition. The challenge will offer up to 10 awards and the total challenge purse is $400,000. Apply at https://www.challenge.gov/ by July 15. SAMHSA will host an informational webinar June 15 from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

>>> SAMHSA Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act Informational Webinar – June 15

On April 22, 2022, SAMHSA released a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) under the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act (a.k.a. STOP Act) Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth and young adults ages 12–20 in communities throughout the United States. The program aims to: (1) address norms regarding alcohol use by youth, (2) reduce opportunities for underage drinking, (3) create changes in underage drinking enforcement efforts, (4) address penalties for underage use, and/or (5) reduce negative consequences associated with underage drinking (e.g., motor vehicle crashes, sexual assaults). In addition, applicants will build on strategic plans that were developed under a Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant. In FY 2022, SAMHSA is allocating an estimated $2M to domestic public and private nonprofit entities that are current or former DFC Support Program recipients. SAMHSA expects to make an estimated 40 awards, with up to $50,000 per award per year and project lengths of up to 4 years. The STOP Act NOFO for FY 2022 closes on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend the upcoming STOP Act NOFO Pre-Informational Webinar on June 15 at 2:00 p.m. The webinar will provide an overview of the grant program, eligibility criteria, required/allowable activities, data collection requirements, funding limitations, and application evaluation criteria.

>>> Ohio Health Information Exchange Impacts on Client Outcomes Webinar – June 28

The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Service Providers will host a free Utilizing Health Information Exchange to Improve Client Outcomes webinar on June 28 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. This session will provide an overview of one of the Ohio Health Information Exchange (HIE) systems, CliniSync, and describe how this tool can be used by behavioral health organizations to support care coordination across health systems and providers. Participants will learn how HIE can be utilized to exchange clinical data and improve patient outcomes. One and a half (1.5) CEUs are available for this training. This free training is sponsored and supported by the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. Questions? Please email Brenna Whiteside at whiteside@theohiocouncil.org.

>>> Fairfield County ADAMH Board Breaks Ground on STARLight Center

On May 26, the Fairfield County Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board joined dozens of community leaders, stakeholders, and neighbors to break ground on the STARLight Center, a new crisis stabilization facility located in Lancaster. The Center, which will be the first of its kind in Fairfield County, will house facilities able to treat eight individuals with mental health issues and 12 persons with substance use disorders. The Center, which is expected to be operational in 2023, will be staffed by nurse practitioners, clinicians and counselors. Click HERE to read coverage in The Lancaster Eagle-Gazette.

In the News

6.14.22 | Elyria Chronicle-Telegram Actress Maureen McCormick to speak at Pearls of Wisdom gala in October

6.14.22 | Cincinnati Enquirer Ohio courts: Should mental health service providers be liable for a patient’s suicide?

6.13.22 | Spectrum News 1 Montgomery County woman helps others overcome addiction

6.13.22 | Cleveland.com Lorain County mental health and addiction board earmarks millions for non-profits

6.13.22 | Columbus Business First Mental health, addiction prompt new look at Ohio workplace solutions

6.13.22 | News-medical.net New analysis reveals direct link between chronic loneliness and mental health distress

6.12.22 | Spectrum News 1 Lindner Center of Hope looks to make greater impact through expansion

6.11.22 | Lorain Morning Journal Oberlin advocates help fight opioid epidemic

6.11.22 | WKBN-TV Old building has new life in Austintown

6.10.22 | WEWS-TV Non-profit in Lorain County helps moms who have hit rock bottom

6.10.22 | Dayton Daily News Miami County starts mental health initiative in court system

6.10.22 | Cleveland.com Colors + provides safe space for LGBTQ+ youth and families

6.9.22 | WSYX-TV Franklin County Crisis Center receives $1M from American Electric Power Foundation

6.9.22 | People How parents experiencing mental health issues can talk to their kids about it