The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Office of Quality, Planning and Research is pleased to announce that it will host the next Virtual Data Forum on Sept. 27 from 3:00-4:00 p.m.

The purpose of the Data Forums is to:

• Highlight new data resources, share information about current and upcoming data projects;
• Facilitate opportunities for peer-to-peer learning;
• Demonstrate how data can be used in the daily practice of ADAMH Boards and Behavioral Health providers; and
• Discuss local needs related to data and data infrastructure.

The Data Forum series will convene on a quarterly basis and serve as a venue for sharing timely and useful best practices, examples, and resources for ADAMH Boards and behavioral health providers that may be implementing or updating their own data systems and data analytic capabilities.

Intended Audience

This resource is intended for any stakeholders who are interested in learning about data and data resources, including ADAMH Board and Behavioral Health provider leadership and staff who work with, manage, and communicate data at all levels.

​September Agenda

1. Peer-to-Peer Learning – Utilizing Health Information Exchange (HIE) Data for Care Coordination: William Bomkamp, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services
2. New Data Product – Mental Health and Addiction Services Claims Dashboard
3. Update – Data Modernization Project
4. Overview – Clear Impact and Board Community Assessment Plans
5. Preview of the agenda for the next Data Forum in January 2024

The Drug Enforcement Administration recognizes National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day by joining the dedicated voices who continue to raise awareness in an effort to prevent the fentanyl poisonings devastating families across the country. On Monday, Aug. 21 the DEA Museum will open with extended hours from 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. for public viewing of the Faces of Fentanyl exhibit, which commemorates lives lost by fentanyl.

In 2022, DEA seized more than 58.3 million pills containing fentanyl and more than 13,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. This equates to nearly 387.9 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl that never reached communities. In a press release, the DEA continue to seize fentanyl at record rates and recently added a regularly updated counter to DEA.gov so the public can track DEA’s fentanyl pills and powder seizures.

According to the CDC, an estimated 110,511 people in the United States died of drug overdoses and poisonings in 2022, with almost 70 percent of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Only two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose.

Information and free resources, including the One Pill Can Kill partner toolkit, are available at DEA.gov/onepill. If you are interested in submitting a photograph of a loved one lost to fentanyl, please email their name, age, and photo to fentanylawareness@dea.gov, or post a photo and their name to social media using the hashtag #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay.

OhioMHAS has partnered with Prevention Action Alliance, Ohio Women's Network, and PAXIS Institute to bring PAX Tools to women’s treatment and recovery communities throughout the state. 

PAX Tools is made up of trauma-informed, evidence-based strategies that can be used immediately in a variety of settings to promote the development of self-regulation, reduce conflict, and improve relationships between those giving and receiving treatment services as well as with young people. This initiative targets those providing gender-specific substance use treatment programming for women in various settings.  

If you are an agency that provides treatment and recovery services to women, you can apply to take PAX Tools trainings at no cost (including materials and supplies) and receive $2,500 in implementation funds. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://preventionactionalliance.org/womens-treatment/. 

In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, 2023, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy is partnering with the Office of Governor Mike DeWine, RecoveryOhio, OhioMHAS, and the Ohio Department of Health to offer no-cost fentanyl test strips to all Ohio terminal distributors of dangerous drugs. In a newsletter article, the Board of Pharmacy announced that it is offering each licensee up to two boxes of strips per order (100 strips per box). Strips will be available until supplies last and may be reordered by the same location if additional strips are needed. Additionally, you may also request copies of the Board's test strip educational handouts (100 per pack). Terminal distributors must place orders online. This link may also be used to order copies of the Board’s naloxone education brochure. 

Learn more about Ohio Overdose Awareness Day and download a Partner Toolkit, on the RecoveryOhio website.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it has awarded $24 million in first-year funding to establish the Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence. Part of NIH’s Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) initiative, the centers will develop and evaluate innovative approaches to reduce pregnancy-related complications and deaths and promote maternal health equity. 

The Research Centers of Excellence will partner with community collaborators, such as state and local public health agencies, community health centers and faith-based organizations. Additionally, the research centers will support training and professional development of maternal health researchers, including those from backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce. The grants are expected to last seven years and total an estimated $168 million, pending the availability of funds.

In observance of Ohio Overdose Awareness Day, the Gallia, Jackson, and Meigs ADAMH Board is partnering with Gallia HOPE and the Field of Hope Community Campus to host a "Change the Conversation" community event on Aug. 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Gallipolis City Park. The event will feature speakers, community resources, a butterfly release and tribute table in remembrance of loved ones lost to overdoses, free naloxone, food, music, yoga, obstacle course and more. 

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's Harding Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health will present the 10th annual Suicide Prevention Conference, "Suicide Prevention Past, Present and Future," on Sept. 21-22. Conference attendees will learn about the effectiveness of suicide prevention practices from past, best practices that are being used today and to discuss ones that will help meet the needs of patients in the future.

In-person attendance will be limited to 125 participants, however, there is also a virtual attendance option. Continuing Medical Education Credits (CME), as well as Social Work, Counseling and Psychologist Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) for both pre-conference and conference sessions will be offered.

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is offering an eight session ECHO series for all Ohio providers on issues related to supporting the mental health needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sessions will occur weekly on Fridays beginning Sept. 22 and ending Nov. 10.

The First ECHO, Identifying Mental Health Symptoms I: Strategies, Tools, and Resources​, will be on Sept. 22 from noon-1:30 p.m. The following continuing education credit will be available: Department of Developmental Disabilities (CPD type: adult services, county board member, investigative agent, service and support administration, and superintendent), Psychology, CSWMFT. 

Ohio Recovery Housing recently announced several upcoming training opportunities for recovery housing operators. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Please email info@ohiorecoveryhousing.org. 

Aug. 31 | Outcomes Tool Training 
Sept. 7 | Introduction to Recovery Housing
Sept. 14 | Understanding the Impact of Evaluations in Recovery Housing