Governor Announces $33.3M in Grant Funding to Provide Students Safer, Healthier Learning Environments
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine this week announced $33.3 million was awarded to 747 districts and schools across the state to provide students with safer and healthier learning environments through the Ohio Department of Education's Stronger Connections Grant.
This grant opportunity complements Future Forward Ohio, which prioritizes student wellness, including addressing barriers that prevent students from engaging in learning. Districts and schools can use Stronger Connections Grant funds to support their local health and safety needs, including student wellness and mental health.
All school districts and community schools that applied for the Stronger Connections Grant received a Tier 1 or Tier 2 award based on health and safety factors collected from data, including rates of poverty, chronic absenteeism, and exclusionary discipline. Eligible schools and districts that demonstrated the highest need and applied for additional funding received an additional Tier 3 amount. The Tier 3 grantees collaborated with local stakeholders and community partners to determine the health and safety needs of their communities and plan for use of funds to support students and educators. The tiered Stronger Connections Grant Awards have been released to school districts and community schools through the Department’s Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan (CCIP) e-grant system.
The Stronger Connections Grant is a supplement to the Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment program. Read more about the program and view the list of grant recipients on the Department’s Stronger Connections Grant webpage.
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Governor DeWine Celebrates New Mental Health Treatment Center at Ohio Reformatory for Women
This week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Annette Chambers-Smith celebrated the opening of a new 100-bed mental health treatment center at the Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW) that will provide comprehensive services in an environment specifically designed to support overall health and wellness. The one-of-a-kind therapeutic facility will provide increased programming and treatment in a space that includes unique features such as specialized lighting and acoustics, enhanced technology, calming outdoor spaces, a garden, and a teaching kitchen.
"This investment is important because our jails and prisons have become one of our state's largest default behavioral health providers," said Governor DeWine. "We must do more to help ensure that those leaving our prisons are both mentally and physically healthy so that they have the best chance of success once released."
The Ohio Reformatory for Women houses over 2,000 women, with nearly half receiving some type of behavioral health services. The new facility is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified and is on track to earn WELL Building Standards certification, which, if achieved, will make this the first correctional-setting building in the world to achieve both certifications. These certifications recognize the structure’s environmental health and well-being benefits for occupants, along with energy efficiency and sustainability features.
“There is no other space like this in any other prison in Ohio, and we are on track to being the only correctional agency in the world to earn specific certifications that acknowledge the wellness and sustainability aspects of the building’s design,” said Director Chambers-Smith. “When our facilities begin to age out, it is important that we are thoughtful in the new building designs so we can make sure our physical structures support our values. I look forward to the healing that our staff will be able to foster in this new space.”
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New Funding Opportunities
SFY24 Mental Health Court Program
The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is pleased to announce funding for the Mental Health Court Program (MHCP) in eligible counties with a certified adult mental health docket(s) in Ohio for SFY24. OhioMHAS is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to the ADAMHS Boards that have certified adult mental health dockets that are not currently receiving funding from the MHCP. The program funds the treatment and recovery supports for adults in mental health courts. The total amount of Mental Health Block Grant funds for the MHCP in SFY24 is $200,000 for the time period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. ADAMHS Boards are invited to work with their local specialized dockets to complete the RFI, which serves as a request to participate in the MHCP for SFY24. Judges with certified mental health courts, who are not already participating in the program, are encouraged to contact their local county ADAMHS Board to share their interest in participating in the MHCP and to assist the Board in completing the RFI. The RFI will be emailed to the County ADAMHS Boards that are eligible, and all responses must be submitted via email to: kathy.yokum@mha.ohio.gov by July 21, 2023. Click HERE for more information on the scope of work and eligibility requirements.
SFY 2024 Specialized Dockets Subsidy Project
OhioMHAS is pleased to announce that the Specialized Docket Subsidy Project funds will be available to operational specialized dockets that are currently certified (initial or final) by the Supreme Court of Ohio and are not currently receiving specialized docket subsidy funding or drug court grant funding from the Department. Courts that operate specialized dockets currently receiving funding through this initiative may apply for funding if said courts are applying for a different specialized docket project that is not receiving these funds or drug court grant funds. Eligible specialized dockets must target individuals with substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders. The purpose of these funds is to offset the payroll costs for specialized dockets staff members. These funds can also be used to pay for clinical services provided by OhioMHAS certified addiction and/or mental health providers, medication assisted treatment (MAT) medications, urinalysis and recovery supports. The funding will be available for the periods of SFY 2024 - July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. This solicitation will remain open until all available funds have been awarded. Click HERE for more information, including allowable expenses.
Rural Outreach Program
The Housing and Homelessness section of the OhioMHAS Bureau of Recovery Supports is soliciting applications from the ADAMHS Boards or qualified non-profit organizations to build and implement or increase capacity of existing street outreach to individuals who are homeless and mentally ill and/or co-occurring substance use in rural areas of Ohio. This grant opportunity is looking to select 3-5 grantees. The responsibilities of the selected applicants will be to connect individuals to behavioral health services, housing resources, medical care, income and benefits support, community resources, and recovery supports to ensure retention in housing. Applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Aug. 4. Click HERE for more information on the scope of work and eligibility requirements.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Adds Spanish Text and Chat Service Ahead of One-Year Anniversary
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The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is now offering its chat and text service in Spanish. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra made the announcement today at an event celebrating the one-year anniversary of the country’s 988 mental health services hotline. Specialized services for LGBTQI+ youth and young adults were also added earlier this month, following a successful pilot test. |
NIAAA Releases New "Alcohol and Your Brain: A Virtual Reality Experience" Educational Resource
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recently announced a new resource – the Alcohol and Your Brain Virtual Reality (VR) Experience. This interactive activity is designed for teens (and adults) to learn about alcohol’s effects on five areas of the brain. The immersive experience simulates a rollercoaster ride weaving and bobbing its way through the human brain. Control the rail car and pause at stations to learn about key brain regions affected by alcohol — and how alcohol, in turn, affects behavior.
You can access the Alcohol and Your Brain VR experience in two ways:
Free Download – For anyone age 13+ with Quest, Quest 2, or Meta Quest Pro VR headsets, the free NIAAA app can be downloaded through the App Lab.
On YouTube – Parents and educators can share the non-VR YouTube video version with students on any computer or mobile device. An audio-described video is also available.
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 OhioPRO Hosts Facilitator Retreat
In June, Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO) hosted a two-day retreat at the Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center for the facilitators of the peer recovery supporter certification. During the retreat, the facilitators participated in cultural competency training, wellness instruction, and networking. The event was coordinated by OhioPRO in partnership with OhioMHAS and Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competency (MACC).
Prevention Action Alliance to Host Your Role in Prevention — Aug. 16
Join Prevention Action Alliance (PAA) for an enlightening afternoon at the "Your Role in Prevention Luncheon" on Aug. 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
PAA is honored to present former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy as the keynote speaker, where he will shed light on the crucial relationship between brain and mental health and prevention's role in our communities. In anticipation of this transformative event, PAA had the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview with Patrick J. Kennedy. Delve into the captivating conversation as he shares invaluable insights into the significance of prevention in creating a healthier society.
Tickets for this event are available through July 31. By attending, you gain knowledge and motivation and contribute to the vital work of Prevention Action Alliance in preventing substance abuse and promoting mental wellness. Questions? Email Alyce Jennings at ajennings@preventionactionalliance.org.
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In the News...
988 mental health lifeline expands with chats and texts in Spanish
Spectrum News, July 13, 2023
Research: Most youth would quit vaping if flavors, including menthol, were not available
Dayton Daily News, July 13, 2023
Addressing childhood trauma: Montgomery County ADAMHS hosting resource summit
WDTN-TV, July 13, 2023
Unique pilot program shows success cutting overdose deaths
WCPO-TV, July 13, 2023
E.R. visits for teenage girls surged during the pandemic
The New York Times, July 12, 2023
Clark County allocates $3.6M for new mental health and addiction recovery facility
WKEF-TV, July 12, 2023
New Ohio law requires coaches to get mental health training to help student athletes
Fox News, July 12, 2023
Reinventing the E.R. for America's mental health crisis
The New Yorker, July 12, 2023
Treatment center opens at the Ohio Reformatory for Women
SpectrumNews1, July 11, 2023
Woman who struggled with addiction shares impact of fentanyl on her family
WCPO-TV, July 11, 2023
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