NewsNow - 10.04.2021

SFY 2022 OhioMHAS Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative

Increasing demand for behavioral healthcare services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has exposed staffing shortages and placed significant strain on the existing behavioral healthcare workforce. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) recognizes that a strong workforce plays a vital role in the health and well-being of Ohio’s families and communities, and supporting and retaining these critical workers is a top priority for the department and our stakeholders. An allocation of $5M in FY2022 in one-time Coronavirus Relief Funding from the state budget is being made available to provide a one-time award of up to $50,000 per OhioMHAS certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) to use for retention bonuses of up to $2,500 per person for administrative, medical, credentialed (including prevention professionals), peer recovery supporters, or non-credentialed (qualified mental health specialists and care management specialists) who have continued to routinely perform their duties during the federal COVID-19 public health emergency. The application period for these funds is open until Friday, Oct. 22 at 5 p.m., and funding will be awarded by randomized selection. Please note that due to the source of this funding (CARES), these bonuses must be paid to each CBHC selected employee by Dec. 15, 2021. Additional details and application instructions can be found HERE.

MHAOhio Occumetrics Workplace Wellbeing Assessment Program

Thanks to an increase in funding from OhioMHAS, Mental Health America of Ohio (MHAOhio) is able to offer its free Occumetrics Workplace Wellbeing Assessment Program to even more agencies in SFY 22. Launched in 2016, the Occumetrics process helps organizations of all sizes assess their overall workplace health through the lens of employee wellbeing and identifies improvements in areas most important to staff. The process helps agencies understand and address employee concerns with customized recommendations designed to decrease turnover and increase job satisfaction. In Ohio, MHAOhio has conducted 64 assessments with 41 behavioral health agencies, gathering information from more than 8,000 employees. Between 2020 and 2021, the Occumetrics statewide aggregate data set show improvements in overall workplace wellbeing and turnover intention. Occumetrics would like to increase its reach in the following regions: Southeast/Appalachian, Northwest/West, and the greater Dayton area. To request an assessment or learn more, contact Brandi Allen at ballen@mhaohio.org.

Addressing the Needs of Homicide Co-Victims in Ohio – Oct. 7

The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) will host an Addressing the Needs of Homicide Co-Victims in Ohio webinar on Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. The Ohio Victim Witness Association (OVWA) recently used OCJS funding to complete a landmark study examining the needs of homicide co-victims in Ohio. Findings from this study were used to develop policy recommendations for better serving homicide co-victims. This presentation will include information about the reasons that homicide co-victims have historically been underserved, the study that was conducted to better understand the needs of homicide co-victims, and recommendations for improving services for homicide co-victims.

All-Ohio Counselors Conference – Oct. 27-29

The Ohio School Counselor Association and Ohio Counseling Association are partnering to host the All-Ohio Counselors Conference Oct. 27-29 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. Click HERE to view the conference schedule and HERE to register. The early bird registration deadline is Oct. 8.

Director Criss Visits Erie and Ottawa Counties

On Friday, OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss and OhioMHAS Deputy Director for Prevention Services Bobbie Boyer visited the newly remodeled Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center (SARCC) in Erie County. They met with SARCC staff and toured the newly renovated building, which now includes a third floor featuring additional meeting/training rooms, a kitchen, art gallery, handicapped-accessible elevators, and more. OhioMHAS contributed $500,000 in Community Resiliency Grant funds toward the project.

Earlier in the day, Director Criss and Deputy Director Boyer attended a media event at the Ottawa County Courthouse to celebrate the newly-established Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot counties. They also attended a roundtable discussion to learn about Ottawa County’s mental health court, jail treatment, and mobile crisis programming.

Click HERE to view more photos from the Ottawa County visit and HERE for more photos from Sandusky Artisans.