OhioMHAS NewsNow | Director Criss Provides Budget Testimony...Director Criss Testifies on Role of BH in Disaster Responses...Ohio Launches New Data Dashboards...New Data Request Form...Upcoming Trainings, Events...NHSC Loan Repayment Program...In the News

Ohio Department of Behavioral Health sent this bulletin at 03/09/2023 05:32 PM EST

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Director Criss Provides Budget Testimony

Today, in the Ohio House Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director Lori Criss and several behavioral health stakeholders delivered testimony in support of the department’s SFY24-25 budget. The budget includes key investments in prevention and early identification; crisis services; recovery supports; hospital, forensic, and criminal justice supports; and innovation and research.

"We recognize that in recent years the mental health and addiction challenges faced by Ohioans have become more visible, and in some case, more pronounced. The spotlight on mental illness and addiction has never been as bright as it is now, and Governor DeWine has made strengthening our behavioral health system one of his hallmark priorities," said Director Criss.

"Our goal is to keep people from having a behavioral health condition in the first place. We want to give all Ohioans the prevention tools they need to build resiliency and promote good mental health," she added. "And for those Ohioans who need care and recovery supports, we want them to see a clear pathway — at whatever point they enter our healthcare system and in whatever community they live. The health and success of our families, our communities, and our economy depend on this work."

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers, and Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation also provided testimony.

Watch the Director's Testimony

Director Criss Provides Testimony Before Ohio Senate Select Committee on Rail Safety

OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss on Wednesday highlighted the role of Ohio's behavioral health system in disaster response situations and supports needed and being provided to the people of East Palestine before members of the Ohio Senate Select Committee on Rail Safety.

Director Criss' testimony focused on the emotional impact of disaster events, behavioral health resources currently being deployed in East Palestine as a result of the train derailment, and the critical role of behavioral health in disaster response planning. She noted that OhioMHAS is applying for an Emergency Response Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to help pay for immediate behavioral health needs and services as identified by the local community.

"It’s important for people experiencing natural or manmade disasters to pay attention to how they and their loved ones are acting and feeling, and to reach out for help if it’s needed. Finding treatment in a timely fashion will help people minimize negative outcomes. And this is why it was so important that a mental health response was part of disaster response strategy from day one," Director Criss testified.

"Columbiana County has a very strong local behavioral healthcare system, and they are trusted local partners who understand the needs of their community and are playing an active role in the health and well-being of East Palestine residents. They have been working tirelessly to care for their neighbors in need, and I would like to publicly acknowledge their efforts to make sure help is visible and accessible."

Local certified professionals are onsite at the East Palestine Mobile Health Clinic and are ready to assist anyone who has questions or concerns. In addition, any resident can call the Ohio CareLine at 1.800.720.9616 at any time of day for free, confidential, emotional support from a trained professional. For more information about local behavioral health resources and providers, contact the Columbiana County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board at https://www.ccmhrsb.org/.

Sign Up Here for East Palestine Updates

Ohio Launches New Data Dashboards to Report Overdose, Substance-Use Measures

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine this week announced that the state has launched new data dashboards to better track and report data on overdose deaths and other substance-use related measures for all 88 Ohio counties. These statewide dashboards were adopted and expanded from dashboards created through the National Institutes of Health-funded HEALing Communities Study – the largest implementation study ever conducted in addiction research – aimed at investigating how tools for preventing and treating opioid misuse, opioid use disorder (OUD), and opioid overdose are most effective at the local level. Through the study, researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine initially developed community-tailored, data-driven dashboards that included opioid overdose deaths and other opioid use disorder-related measures for 18 counties in Ohio. Using the public health data in these dashboards, communities partnered with researchers to determine which evidence-based interventions to implement to reduce overdoses and opioid misuse. Based on the success of these dashboards in the initial 18 counties in the study, the State of Ohio with RecoveryOhio has now implemented them statewide.

The dashboards report on 55 opioid-related measures including overdose deaths; high-risk prescribing; overdoses treated in emergency departments; naloxone units distributed by Project DAWN; individuals receiving and being continuously enrolled in treatment and EMS events involving naloxone administration. To help communities learn how best to implement the dashboards, RecoveryOhio will offer virtual training and virtual “office hours” over the next several weeks. For more information, visit RecoveryOhio.

New OhioMHAS Data Policy, Web-Based Request Form

Measurable, visible, and actionable data is critical to the effective planning of care and needed supports for Ohioans impacted by mental illness and substance use disorders. To that end, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Office of Quality, Planning and Research (QPR) this week released a new data governance policy and request form making it easier than ever to request data from the department. The new, web-based form includes questions about the purpose and scope of the request, as well as details related to data use and sharing. Information provided will be used to determine whether to approve or deny the non-public data request and to prepare any necessary data use or sharing agreements. If you have supporting documents related to this request, you are able to upload those in the “Additional Documentation” section and/or provide link to a URL at the end of the form. If you have any questions, please email QPRadmin@mha.ohio.gov.

2023 We Are Change Rally – May 2

Join the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network (OYLPN) on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at KEMBA Live for the We Are Change Rally! With a theme of "What's Your Real!" OYLPN is encouraging more than 1,200 Ohio youth to embrace their authentic selves and make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.

Working with CarolineINSPIRES and the OYLPN Statewide Youth Council, this event will showcase the collective power of Ohio's youth to drive change in social and political cultures and systems. The OYLPN Youth Council has lined up awesome guests, and there will be plenty of pizza, snow cones, snacks, and fun to fuel the energy of our young change-makers.

Register

6th Annual Older Adult MH Awareness Day Symposium – May 11

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in partnership with the National Council on Aging, the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Health Resources and Services Administration, and the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging, will host the 6th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium on May 11. This free, virtual event will empower aging services professionals with the latest tools to improve the lives of older adults in their communities.

Learn More and Register

10th Annual Trauma-Informed Care Summit – May 16-17

Registration is now open for Ohio’s 10^th Annual Trauma-Informed Care Summit: Pathways to Resilience, Healing and Recovery, scheduled for May 16-17 at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus. Day One will feature keynote remarks from Kimberly Brazwell, CEO and Founder of KIMISTRY, while Day Two will feature a plenary panel presentation of Ohioans with lived experience. Summit workshops will focus on Workforce Development, Organizational Leadership Development, and Cultural Diversity. Click HERE to view the full draft agenda.

Register

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs

The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Health Workforce announced the next opportunity for three loan repayment programs from the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Of the more than 20,000 NHSC members serving across the country, about one in three works in a rural area. In exchange for commitment to serve at an NHSC-approved facility, practicing clinicians providing primary medical, dental, or behavioral health care services may qualify for a loan repayment up to $50,000 with an NHSC Loan Repayment Program Award, up to $75,000 for the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program, and up to $100,000 for the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. The rural NHSC program is in coordination with FORHP's rural opioid programming providing evidence-based substance use disorder treatment. Apply by April 25.

Apply

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