2021 Forensic Conference & Howard Sokolov Forensic Leadership Nominations 

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) will host the (virtual) 2021 Forensic Conference “Current Issues Across the System” beginning Nov. 2. Click HERE to view the complete conference schedule, session descriptions, and to register online. The conference planning committee is also seeking nominations for the 2021 Howard H. Sokolov Forensic Mental Health Leadership Award. Use this form to submit your nomination.

Reminder: FY 22 OhioMHAS Behavioral Health Workforce Retention Funding (MHA-FY22-BHWRI-01)

Applications are due Oct. 22 for the Fiscal Year 2022 OhioMHAS Behavioral Workforce Retention Funding (MHA-FY22-BHWRI-01) opportunity. Due to recent website upgrades, the link previously distributed via NewsNow no longer works. Click HERE for all information related to this funding opportunity.  As a reminder, eligible applicants include any entity certified by OhioMHAS for one or more of the following services found in Ohio Administrative Code chapter 5122-29: General, Mental health day treatment, Forensic evaluation, Behavioral health hotline, Residential and withdrawal management substance use disorder services, Crisis intervention, Employment, Driver intervention program, Peer recovery, Peer run organization, Community psychiatric supportive treatment (CPST), Therapeutic behavioral and psychosocial rehabilitation, Consultation, Prevention, Referral and information, Supplemental behavioral health, Intensive home based treatment (IHBT), or Assertive community treatment (ACT).  Questions must be submitted to BHWI@mha.ohio.gov by 5 p.m. on Oct. 15. 

NIMH Livestream Event on Seasonal Affective Disorder – Oct. 26

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is hosting a virtual, livestream event on Seasonal Affective Disorder on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. The session will be led by Matthew Rudorfer, M.D., chief of the Adult Psychopharmacology, Somatic, and Integrated Treatment Research Program at NIMH. Dr. Rudorfer will discuss the signs, symptoms, treatments, and the latest research on SAD. Watch the event on NIMH’s Facebook or Twitter feeds. You must have either a Facebook or Twitter account to watch and ask questions. Click HERE to learn more about the event.

Schizophrenia Training for Housing Providers – Nov. 10

The OhioMHAS Bureau of Recovery Supports is hosting a training to help housing providers understand schizophrenia, its prevalence, signs and symptoms, and treatment and care interventions on Nov. 10 from 10 a.m.-noon. Click HERE to register. For more information, please email desiree.bell@mha.ohio.gov.  

KSU to Host Street Smart Ohio Presentation – Nov. 19

Kent State University Counseling and Psychological Services will host a Street Smart Ohio drug prevention and awareness presentation at the Kent State University Student Center on Nov. 19 from 1-4 p.m. Presenters from the Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office will review terminology, paraphernalia, and current trends to help participants identify warning signs of drug use and addiction. This is an in-person event; masks required. Click HERE for more information and to register.

Call for Presentations: Ohio’s 2022 Opiate and Other Drugs Conference

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA), in partnership with the OhioMHAS, will host “Ohio’s 2022 Opiate and Other Drugs Conference” on June 6-7, 2022. The conference will focus on opiates, stimulants, and other substance use disorders, specifically on efforts related to prevention, education, intervention, treatment, recovery, family supports, community engagement, and more. OACBHA is requesting presentations from all categories of professionals, individuals in recovery, and family members. OACBHA is seeking a variety of presentation proposals for this event. The deadline to submit a proposal is Jan. 10, 2022, at 5 p.m. If you have questions about the conference, please contact Michaella Radich at mradich@oacbha.org.

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10.8.21 | Cleveland.com Advocates, nonprofits urge Ohio to prioritize stimulus spending on health and human services
10.7.21 | WBNS-TV AG Yost unveils new rapid drug testing pilot program to aid law enforcement agencies statewide