>>> Governor DeWine Announces Appalachian Community Grant Program Details

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted on Thursday announced new details on the Appalachian Community Grant Program, which will infuse $500 million into Ohio's 32-county Appalachian region to revitalize communities and stimulate transformational change. The Governor's Office of Appalachia released detailed guidelines for the program, including project requirements, eligibility, and the timeline for awards. The $500-million Appalachian Community Grant Program is part of Governor DeWine’s OhioBuilds – Small Communities, Big Impact – A Plan for Appalachia. The program will specifically support transformational projects in Ohio's Appalachian communities that focus on infrastructure development, physical and behavioral health, and workforce development. As part of this program, up to $30 million will support project planning and technical assistance, and the remaining $470 million will be awarded to implement development projects. The Governor’s Office of Appalachia, which is part of the Ohio Department of Development, will begin accepting grant applications on Nov. 2, 2022. The Governor’s Office of Appalachia will host a webinar at 1:00 p.m. on Oct. 25 to present the guidelines in detail and allow interested parties to ask questions. Program information and full guidelines can be found at development.ohio.gov/AppalachianCommunityGrant.

>>> Ohio NSPL Providers Gather in Columbus to Celebrate 988 Launch, Strategize, Network

On Thursday, representatives from Ohio’s 19 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call centers gathered in Columbus to celebrate the successful launch of the new nationwide, three-digit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, participate in strategy sessions and network. Leadership from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services – including Director Lori Criss and 988 Administrator Doug Jackson – thanked the teams for their outstanding efforts to help ensure a smooth transition and presented each with certificates of appreciation. Click HERE to view more photos. 

On July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) transitioned to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The easy-to-remember, three-digit number, 988, builds on the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and all 988 call specialists receive thorough suicide prevention and crisis intervention training based on best practices. Ohioans who are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, and their family members, are able to call, chat, or text the 988 number in order to reach a trained 988 Call Specialist who can offer help and support. Ohio has nineteen 988 Lifeline providers who are actively answering calls in Ohio. View Ohio Lifeline Coverage Map. Ohio Lifeline providers answered 6,557 calls during the month of August 2022.  

>>> DEA to Host National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day – Oct. 29, Observe Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will hold its next National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Oct. 29 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Click HERE to see a list of collection sites and HERE to view/download PSAs to help promote the event. This year’s roundup coincides with Red Ribbon Week, an annual drug prevention awareness campaign held every Oct. 23-31 that encourages communities to take a visible stand against drugs. Red Ribbon Week was started by the National Family Partnership following the death of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was killed by drug traffickers in 1985. Soon after his death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons in remembrance of Camarena and to honor his service. The event is now recognized nationwide, with millions of people participating by wearing red ribbons, taking part in anti-drug events, and pledging to live lives free from drugs.

>>> New Career Resource Navigator Can Help Identify Options for Individuals with Barriers to Employment

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has announced that a new Career Resource Navigator tool can connect Ohioans with barriers to work to programs that can help them. The interactive tool, at WorkForce.Ohio.gov/Initiatives, complements the free career planning resources available at OhioMeansJobs.com. It provides a customizable dashboard of 12 career training and post-secondary education programs for individuals who need help with such things as managing a disability, finding supports such as child care or transportation, or improving their reading, writing, math, or computer skills. The Career Resource Navigator was developed by a collaboration of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, the ODJFS, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, and the Ohio Education Research Center at The Ohio State University. The tool’s design was informed by input from a broad group of prospective users and stakeholders, with a focus on easy-to-use and understand features. Those visiting the tool for the first time can watch a brief instructional video to learn how to get started. From there, they can click the “Customize Your Navigator” button in the top right corner and answer questions to generate search results.

>>> Beyond Peer Support: Leadership in the Workplace – Oct. 28

The PEER Center will continue it 2022 PEERVoices Educational Series on Oct. 28 from 9:00 a.m.-noon with Beyond Peer Support - Leadership in the Workforce. Click the link for more information and to register.

>>> Five-Part Sports Betting Webinar Series Announced

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio has announced a five-part Ready. Get Set. Go. A Journey Toward Responsible Sports Betting in Ohio webinar series. Webinars will be held Mondays from 1:00-2:00 p.m. beginning Oct. 31 and ending Dec. 5. These webinars will provide participants with a better understanding of Ohio's sports betting landscape, ways to prepare and engage your community, and resources for problem sports gambling treatment and prevention. Descriptions and content areas for each session are available at PGNOhio.org/ReadySetGo.

>>> Save the Date: 21st Annual NADD State of Ohio MI/ID Conference – July 10-11, 2023

After three years of being virtual, NADD is excited to announce the 21st NADD State of Ohio MI/ID Conference will be held in person July 10-11, 2023, at the Columbus Marriott Northwest in Dublin. The call for presentations will be announced in November, and registration details will be sent in March. Please be sure to visit the NADD website for the most up to date details.

In the News

10.21.22 | The New York Times What to know about Seasonal Depression

10.21.22 | Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune Treatment not jail: Evolution in police response to mental illness, addiction discussed in Rossford

10.21.22 | SpectrumNews1 Tax levy renewal on November ballot aims to find mental health services

10.20.22 | Springfield News-Sun Gammon House, Library to host pop-up exhibit

10.20.22 | Fulton County Expositor Grant awarded for area behavioral health center

10.20.22 | Canton Repository Why will the Stark County Courthouse be bathed in red next week?

10.20.22 | Mansfield News-Journal OSU-M exhibit features 1,000 backpacks representing people’s battles with suicide

10.20.22 | The Associated Press Military suicides drop as leaders push new programs

10.19.22 | WTOL-TV Hancock County ADAMHS Board helps at-risk youths with county support

10.19.22 | WKYC-TV The wait for mental health services in Ohio is growing longer

10.19.22 | Lima News Family Resource Center gets $4M in grants

10.19.22 | WFMJ-TV Clubhouse International Center to open in Youngstown