Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced that he is nominating LeeAnne Cornyn, his deputy chief of staff, to be the new director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. 

Cornyn began working for Governor DeWine when he was Ohio Attorney General. At the beginning of the DeWine-Husted Administration, she served as his first director of Children’s Initiatives where she worked on a number of children’s behavioral health programs including the creation of OhioRISE which is a DeWine-Husted Administration initiative to keep kids with severe mental health issues in state and ensures that they receive coordinated care services under Medicaid. 

Cornyn also served as director of Cabinet Affairs and most recently as deputy chief of staff, where she was charged with overseeing the health, mental health, human services, education, and children’s issues policy portfolio. Cornyn has worked tirelessly on behalf of Ohio’s most vulnerable populations -- children and those living with mental illness and substance use disorders.

Cornyn is a graduate of Miami University and holds a law degree from Ohio State University.  Cornyn replaces Lori Criss, who is taking a position at The Ohio State University. 

The University of Akron this week announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADM) Board, marking a significant leap forward in addressing critical community needs. This innovative partnership aims to enhance the workforce pipeline in the field of social work, fostering a direct and positive impact on behavioral health services in Summit County.

As part of this initiative, a new position has been established, fully funded by the ADM Board, to serve as a liaison between the University of Akron's School of Social Work and Family Sciences and community agencies. The primary focus of this role is to recruit students into social work programs and facilitate their placement within partner agencies, creating a dynamic synergy between academia and real-world application.

According to a joint media release, "This partnership reflects The University of Akron's commitment to community engagement and the ADM Board's proactive approach to addressing the complex issues related to behavioral health. Together, they are setting a precedent for collaborative efforts between academic institutions and community organizations to make a lasting impact on the well-being of Summit County residents."

Today, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a challenge to America’s youth: help us raise awareness about fentanyl and reduce teen overdose deaths. 

SAMHSA's FentAlert: Empowering Youth for Safer Choices −  Fentanyl Awareness Youth Challenge is an opportunity for youth, ages 14-18, to develop a community strategy to educate their peers about fentanyl and fake pills ― and prevent drug overdose deaths. There’s a total prize purse of $80,000, with individual prizes up to $5,000. Youth can participate individually, or as part of a team. Please review rules and judging criteria.

Submissions are due by Feb. 26, 2024. Please share this opportunity, supporting young people’s voices ― for a future where they and their peers can thrive.

Envision Partnerships is seeking new facilitators for its statewide Minimize Risk ~ Maximize Life statewide, low-risk drinking course for adults. Program facilitators will be given $2,500 for completion of training, delivery of courses and other responsibilities. 

Preferred qualifications include:
• 2 years of more working in prevention field
• Comfortable speaking to small/large groups
• Comfortable presenting to adult populations
• Previous classroom type experience
• Certified: OCPSA/OCPS/OCPC/CHES

If you are interested in becoming a facilitator, please submit an application by Dec. 22. Questions? Please email Lori Higgins at LHiggins@EnvisionPartnerships.com.