>>> October Recognized as Inaugural Ohio School Safety Month

This October, the State of Ohio will observe its inaugural School Safety Month. Earlier this year, Governor DeWine signed House Bill 583, sponsored by Reps. Adam C. Bird and Don Jones, which officially designated October as Ohio School Safety Month. “This month is an opportunity for schools to increase public awareness of school safety programs and policies," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "I encourage all Ohioans to work together to keep Ohio schools safe for students to learn and grow." The Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) developed the theme Know School Safety, Know Your Role – It’s Everyone’s Responsibility for October's activities.

In recognition of Ohio School Safety Month, OSSC has also developed weekly themes to help schools highlight resources within their schools and communities and to provide an opportunity to engage with students, staff, parents, guardians, and community members on their school safety programs.

• Week 1: Comprehensive Safety (Oct. 2-8). The OSSC encourages schools to highlight ways they are improving safety through prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Week 2: Emotional Safety (Oct. 9-15). The OSSC encourages schools to highlight ways they are ensuring that students feel emotionally safe by creating a climate that is inclusive, supportive, and builds positive relationships among students and staff.
• Week 3: Physical Safety (Oct. 16-22). The OSSC encourages schools to highlight ways they are combining physical safety improvements with efforts to enhance school climate, build trusting relationships, and encourage students and adults to report potential threats.
• Week 4: Know Your Role (Oct. 23-29). The OSSC encourages schools to convene their school safety team to identify their roles and create a plan for the rest of the school year to highlight safety programs.

Other highlights of Ohio School Safety Month include:

• Stop Bullying. Oct. 12 is National Stop Bullying Day, part of National Bullying Prevention Month. OSSC encourages schools to highlight their school climate and anti-bullying initiatives and communicate them to students and staff.
• Kindness Matters. Oct. 19 is Unity Day, where students and staff can wear orange to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
• Bus Safety. October 17-21 is National School Bus Safety Week. OSSC recommends that parents, guardians, students, teachers, administrators, motorists, and school bus drivers discuss the importance of school bus safety with youth.

Students, parents, and community members can use the free Safer Ohio School Tip Line to anonymously report threats to schools or students’ safety. The tip line is available by calling or texting 844-723-3764 (844-SaferOH). The OSSC urges students, parents, and community members to report concerns immediately to authorities or to a school tip line instead of sharing viral social media posts. Reporting it to proper authorities will ensure the information gets to someone who can investigate it. Sharing posts on social media does not guarantee it will be received by authorities.

>>> Exciting Changes in the Next Generation of Ohio Medicaid Program are Here

On Oct. 1, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) launched Stage 2 of the Next Generation of Ohio Medicaid program. This launch included the implementation of the Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager (SPBM) and Centralized Credentialing in the Provider Network Management (PNM) module, offering major positive changes for both members and providers.

What Medicaid managed care members need to know

As of Oct. 1, Ohio Medicaid managed care members will experience the following exciting benefits:

• The SPBM, operated by Gainwell Technologies, is partnering with members’ managed care organizations to improve member health.
• The launch of the SPBM means individuals are not tied to an MCO solely for its pharmacy program, therefore they can select a health plan based on its ability to address their unique healthcare needs.
• With more than 2,600 pharmacy locations, the SPBM has the largest pharmacy network that has ever served Ohio Medicaid managed care.
• Previously, members were juggling several ID cards, which can be difficult. The Next Generation member ID cards allow Ohio Medicaid and OhioRISE members to have one ID card that includes all member information, including pharmacy benefit information. Members finally have everything in one place! 
• The SPBM does not apply to MyCare Ohio plans, which will continue to provide benefits to Ohioans who receive both Medicaid and Medicare benefits, with enhanced coordination of medical, behavioral, and long-term care services.

Are you a member or authorized representative with questions or need assistance?

• Questions related to pharmacy benefits and prescriptions should be directed to Gainwell, Ohio Medicaid’s SPBM, by calling the Gainwell SPBM Help Desk at 1.833.491.0344 or by visiting https://spbm.medicaid.ohio.gov.
• All other member questions, including those related to Medicaid managed care eligibility, coverage, benefits, or managed care plan selection should be directed to the Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1.800.324.8680 or by visiting ohiomh.com. 

What Medicaid managed care providers need to know

With the launch, Ohio Medicaid providers will experience improvements from both the SPBM and Centralized Credentialing, including the following:

• Pharmacists and prescribers will have greater ability to monitor quality, transparency, and accountability in the pharmacy program.  
• The SPBM will implement a single set of clinical/prior authorization policies and claims process, and serve as a single point of contact, reducing the administrative burden on providers.
• Providers subject to credentialing only undergo one credentialing and recredentialing process at the state level versus a separate credentialing process for each Ohio Medicaid managed care plan. 
• There is no longer a need for paper agreements at long-term care facilities – all agreements are available online and do not require mailing back and forth for signatures. 
•  Providers can now view specialties and effective dates.

Are you a provider with questions or need assistance?

• Questions related to pharmacy claims, prior authorizations, and other administrative tasks should be directed to the Gainwell SPBM Help Desk at 1.833.491.0344 or by visiting https://spbm.medicaid.ohio.gov.
• Questions related to Centralizing Credentialing and the PNM module, OH|ID, and portal password support should be directed to the ODM Integrated Help Desk at 1.800.686.1516 or visit the PNM and Centralized Credentialing webpage on managedcare.medicaid.ohio.gov.

To learn more about Ohio Medicaid’s Next Generation program and mission, visit the Ohio Medicaid Next Generation website, managedcare.medicaid.ohio.gov.

>>> OhioMHAS Nurses Recognized During DAISY Award Celebration

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) celebrated nurses from the regional psychiatric hospitals today at its first semi-annual DAISY Award Celebration ceremony. The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses was created by The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation, which expresses gratitude to nurses with programs that recognize them for the extraordinary compassionate, skillful care they provide patients and families. By honoring nurses, DAISY reinforces the importance of compassion in healthcare. The foundation was founded after Patrick Barnes died in 1999 from the auto-immune disease ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura). Patrick’s parents Mark and Bonnie, along with his wife Tena, wanted to express their appreciation to the nurses who took care of Patrick during the time he was in the hospital. Since 1999, The DAISY Foundation has partnered with more than 5,400 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing in all 50 states and 33 other countries and territories to honor the incredible work that nurses do every day.

Nurses from all six Ohio psychiatric hospitals were nominated by peers, patients, and patients’ families for this award. The six honorees for October 2022 are:

• Issac Barnett, LPN—Appalachian Behavioral Health
• Jennifer Reusser, RN—Heartland Behavioral Healthcare
• Princette Potter, RN—Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare
• Robin Staples, LPN—Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital (pictured, left)
• Beverly Abuonji, RN—Summit Behavioral Healthcare
• Allison Tewart Darwin, RN—Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare (pictured, right)

Click HERE to view more photos from today’s award celebration at OhioMHAS’ Central Office.

>>> National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

October was first declared as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in 2011. Since then, October has been a time to highlight the vital role of substance abuse prevention in both individual and community health has, to remember those who have lost their lives to substance abuse, to acknowledge those in recovery, as well as children, parents, family, and friends supporting them. Studies show that the earlier an individual starts smoking, drinking or using other drugs, the greater the likelihood of developing addiction. 9 out of 10 people who abuse or are addicted to nicotine, alcohol or other drugs began using these substances before they were 18. People who began using addictive substances before age 15 are nearly 7 times likelier to develop a substance problem than those who delay first use until age 21 or older. Every year that substance use is delayed during the period of adolescent brain development, the risk of addiction and substance abuse decrease. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, child welfare workers, law enforcement professionals, educators and school staff, and policy makers.

>>> Ohio Adult Ally Statewide Training – Oct. 7

Ohio Adult Allies, in partnership with the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network and OhioMHAS, will host a free, virtual statewide training session on recruiting young people to join a youth-led program on Oct. 7 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Join us as we explore the potential power of influence and the first steps to engage young people in youth-led prevention. Together, we will identify tools to improve recruitment while reducing barriers to connection. Let's set the stage for a sustainable youth-led program so we can empower future generations. Prevention CEs will be provided. Click the link above for more information and to register.

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