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Friday, December 1, 2023
Governor DeWine Nominates LeeAnne Cornyn to Serve as OhioMHAS Director
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.
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Welcome Back Campaign for Community Behavioral Health Centers Launches
The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is pleased to announce the availability of the Welcome Back Campaign to support Community Behavioral Health Center-led recruitment efforts and incentivize existing professionals to return to the behavioral health field in Ohio communities.
The current funding opportunity is open for eligible Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) to incentivize people to return to the behavioral healthcare workforce. CBHCs regulated by OhioMHAS and providing Medicaid-covered behavioral health home and community-based services (Provider types 84 & 95) are eligible to participate in this initiative. CBHC’s are eligible for funds to grow and support returning staff in direct service positions up to $3,000 each new employee. CBHC’s will also have discretion on providing referral bonuses to existing staff of up to $500.
For a step-by-step guide on how to apply for this funding please refer to the GFMS Welcome Back Campaign for CBHCs 1.0 which can be found on our Welcome Back Webpage.
The OhioMHAS Workforce team is here to assist you and provide any support you may need. Please reach out to Workforce@mha.ohio.gov if you have any questions or would like to set up a virtual meeting with one of our team members for assistance.
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University of Akron and Summit County Alcohol Drug and Mental Health Board Forge Unprecedented Partnership to Address Community Needs
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."
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FentAlert Challenge: Empowering Youth for Safer Choices
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.
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Envision Partnerships Seeking Facilitators for Minimize Risk - Maximize Life Low Risk Drinking Course
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.
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We Are The Voice 2024 Mental Health & Trauma Conference — May 18
We Are The Voice Ministries will present its 2024 Mental Health & Trauma Conference on May 18 at the Grand Plaza Banquet Hall in Wapakoneta. This year's conference will feature workshops and keynote presentations focused on the correlation between childhood trauma and mental health, promoting well-being, preventing illnesses, increasing resiliency, and fostering recovery. For more information, contact Gina Fox at 419.500.4325 or email wearethevoiceministry@gmail.com.
In the News...
CDC report reveals suicide rates have increased in older Americans WEWS-TV, November 30, 2023
U.S. rate of suicide by firearm reaches record level The New York Times, November 30, 2023
Helping others: Careers in social work make an impact on families and communities Ohio University, November 30, 2023
Facing the loneliness epidemic at work: mental health strategies for social connection Forbes, November 29, 2023
Maintaining Medicaid eligibility for Ohio's incarcerated can improve health, public safety Ideastream, November 29, 2023
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Got News?
If you would like to submit a news item or training for consideration for publication in OhioMHAS NewsNow, please email content to Eric.Wandersleben@mha.ohio.gov.
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Mike DeWine, Governor | Lori Criss, Director
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