NewsNow - 10.26.2022

October 26, 2022

>>> In Memoriam: Hamilton MHRS Board Director Patrick Tribbe

Ohio’s behavioral health services system lost a titan this week. On Tuesday, the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board shared the sad news that its longtime president and CEO Patrick Tribbe passed away this week. He was 73. In a statement, the Board said Tribbe crafted new partnerships and programs to help improve the way behavioral health services were delivered in the Greater Cincinnati region. “Pat’s leadership literally transformed the way Hamilton County delivered and managed mental health and substance abuse programs,” the agency stated.

Tribbe dedicated nearly 50 years of service in the mental health and addiction fields. He began his career in the nonprofit arena before being named CEO of the Hamilton County Mental Health Board in 1997. In that role he oversaw the agency’s merger with the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board, which formed the agency he led until his death. Mr. Tribbe was a tireless and passionate leader, innovator, and advocate. The leadership and staff of OhioMHAS extend their heartfelt condolences to those colleagues who worked alongside Mr. Tribbe and join with them in celebrating a lifetime of dedicated service to Ohioans in need.

>>> Preparing for the End of the Public Health Emergency: Partner Toolkit to Guide Medicaid Consumers

While the federal government hasn’t officially declared the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is already preparing. Part of this preparation includes the creation of a partner packet that includes sample communication materials and templates to assist you in educating members on steps they should take now to prepare for the eventual “unwinding.” These materials include graphics and copy for: an article, a flyer, social media posts, texts, mail, and on-hold messages. The partner packet is now available online on the ODM COVID-19 unwinding page. It is currently available in English, Spanish, Nepali, Arabic, Somali, and Russian languages. This page will continue to be updated as new resources become available.

How can you help?

Right now, you can help by using the partner packet to educate individuals covered by Medicaid about the upcoming changes. There are three main messages ODM encourage partners to focus on:

Update contact information. Make sure the member’s County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) has their current mailing address, phone number, email, or other contact information. This way, CDJFS will be able to contact the member about their Medicaid coverage.
Check the mail. CDJFS will mail members a letter about their Medicaid coverage. This letter will also let members know if they need to complete a renewal form to see if they still qualify for Medicaid.
Respond to requests for information. Members should fill out all requests for information from CDJFS and return them right away to help avoid a gap in Medicaid coverage.

ODM appreciates your partnership and support in its efforts to provide the members it serves with uninterrupted access to healthcare.

>>> Prevention Exchange: Sharing Success, Shaping Solutions Virtual Forum – Oct. 27

Join the newly established Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion on Oct. 27 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. for a virtual Prevention Exchange: Sharing Success, Shaping Solutions forum to hear about successes in working with senior adults to amplify medication safety messages within their families and community. This event allows for collaborative discussion and interactive information sharing in an informal space. Panelists include: Dr. Marketa Robinson, PhD, M.Ed, LCDC III, OCPC, Executive Director, UMADAOP of Dayton and Jeff Neidig, RPh, Owner, Medi-Wise Pharmacy, Newcomerstown. Click HERE for more information and to register.

>>> Hamilton County Public Health Harm Reduction Webinar – Nov. 16

The Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH) Harm Reduction Division will host an Interviews with Hamilton County S.A.F.E Services (Syringe Service Program) Participants: Observations from the Field webinar on Nov. 16 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. HCPH conducted interviews with S.A.F.E. (Stigma-free Access for Everyone, formerly Syringe Service Program) Services participants to better understand the community culture, needs, and hear feedback about their personal experiences. The surveys were completed between May and June of 2022 with 148 responses. The conversations centered around the importance of expanding harm reduction programs throughout the county, creating trustworthy spaces for support, and providing more education to the public on the complexity of fentanyl, Naloxone use, and the impact of stigma. During this webinar, you will hear from HCPH on how and why this innovative project was created, key takeaways from the interview interactions, and strategies to replicate this initiative in your own community. Click the link above for more information and to register. Questions? Please email melanie.ruhe@hamilton-co.org.

>>> Maternal Mental Health Complications Screening and Referral Webinars

Mental Health America of Ohio, in partnership with POEM (Perinatal Outreach and Encouragement for Moms) and OhioMHAS, will host a free Maternal Mental Health Complications Screening and Referral webinar. Participants will: identify symptoms along the spectrum of maternal mental health complications to support screening efficacy; understand how to use screening mechanisms including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and general screening protocols; and discuss best practices in referral to care and support for maternal mental health complications. CEU’s approved for social workers, community health workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, nurses, doulas, peer recovery supporters, and chemical dependency counselors. Click the links below for more information and to register for your preferred training date. Questions? Please email Raquel Williams at poemohio@mhaohio.org.

Nov. 17 | Noon-3:15 p.m.

Dec. 5 | 2:00-5:15 p.m.

Jan. 20 | 9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Feb. 8 | Noon-3:15 p.m.

>>> Coalitions Rising Conference – Dec. 1

Prevention Action Alliance, with support from OhioMHAS, will host the Coalitions Rising Conference virtually on Dec. 1 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The free virtual training will feature presentations from state and national prevention and communications experts. Presenters will examine various aspects of individual and organizational communication, what effective communication looks like in prevention and public health, and how coalitions across the state can build communications skills and capacity. Registration includes continuing education units for prevention professionals, social workers, and health education specialists approved by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. Click the link for more information and to register. Questions? Please email James Syphax at jsyphax@preventionactionalliance.org.

In the News

10.25.22 | Columbus Dispatch Ohio advocates push for 50-cent phone fee to fund 988 hotline

10.25.22 | PR Newswire New mental health PSA from Seize the Awkward encourages young adults to say “We Can Talk About It”

10.25.22 | Columbus Dispatch (Editorial) Feeling nervous, restless, or depressed. Imagine feeling that way as a kid.

10.25.22 | WDTN-TV Movie screened in Ohio addresses PTSD in first responders

10.25.22 | WNWO-TV Family Resource Center works to grow mental health access in northwest Ohio

10.25.22 | DEA.gov DEA supports healthy, drug-free lives with 2022 Red Ribbon Campaign

10.25.22 | Highland County Press Suicide prevention coalition thanks Gov. DeWine. Legislature for leadership on addressing mental health

10.24.22 | Ohio University OhioMHAS director experiences OHIO’s VR and its potential for health care and law enforcement training

10.24.22 | WHIO-TV Montgomery County Jail earns first-for-Ohio mental health accreditation award

10.24.22 | The Mirror Drug prevention education in Maumee Schools undergoes revamp

10.24.22 | WEWS-TV Lorain County Public Health declares ‘spike alert’ following 11 overdoses over the weekend