The COVID-19 pandemic revealed an enormous strain on the nation’s mental healthcare system for our young people and we see that reality playing out in every community throughout Ohio. Across the country, children and youth are struggling with mental health needs at levels never before seen, and parents and caregivers of children with complex mental and behavioral needs face even more challenges getting their kids treatment.

In July 2022, Governor DeWine introduced OhioRISE, a specialized behavioral health program managed by Medicaid for people ages 20 or younger who have complex emotional, developmental, and psychological needs. He envisions a time when every Ohio child has the opportunity to achieve their potential, regardless of obstacles, because of programs like OhioRISE.

To give you a sense for the work underway that is shared across Ohio’s child-serving agencies, we encourage you to watch, “Shortage of mental health services for teens forces parents to take desperate measures,” a PBS News Hour story that ran nationally in September. It features OhioRISE and the work of one of its care management entities (CME).

In late August, the PBS News Hour Team visited OhioRISE CME Positive Education Program (PEP) in northeast Ohio and interviewed PEP CEO Habeebah R. Grimes about OhioRISE. The news team spent the day talking to PEP staff to get a better understanding of the current youth mental health crisis, PEP’s role in addressing these needs in Northeast Ohio, and the significance of OhioRISE and what it means for Ohio’s children. They also spoke with the parents of OhioRISE members to get first-hand accounts of their experiences.

It is a terrific story about our shared work in strengthening Ohio’s behavioral health infrastructure so children and youth, regardless of circumstance, can reach their full potential.

In the program’s first year we have learned much and have much more to do. But, we know OhioRISE is making a positive impact on the lives of many. Today OhioRISE serves more than 25,000 children, youth, and young adults. We have capacity to serve many more and we need your help spreading news about the program.

If you know someone who is at a loss to help a child or young person that is suffering from complex behavioral or mental health disorders, share this 10-minute PBS story about OhioRISE’s unique supports. Then, point them to the OhioRISE website to learn more about the program.