The OneOhio Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit created by the state and local governments to oversee the bulk of opioid settlement proceeds, issued a request for proposals (RFP) Monday as the first step in a 2024 grant cycle that could send out as much as $51 million to support treatment, prevention, and other addiction abatement strategies.

OneOhio also opened registration Monday for eligible entities – nonprofits, for-profit entities with services aligned to the foundation’s purpose, government jurisdictions -- interested in pursuing a grant. Applications will officially open Tuesday, April 2, and be due Friday, May 3.

As much as $51,194,220 is available in the 2024 grant cycle, and OneOhio will consider projects lasting one, two, or three years. OneOhio will consider proposals spanning multiple of the foundation’s 19 regions, but will not consider statewide projects this cycle.

OneOhio receives 55 percent of opioid settlement proceeds, according to the memorandum of understanding state and local governments signed to create the foundation. The memorandum outlines the approved prevention, treatment, and recovery purposes for spending foundation money.

On Tuesday, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the launch of the Ohio Career Navigator, a new tool on OhioMeansJobs.com designed as a one-stop-shop for Ohioans to find resources that will help them obtain in-demand skills, advance their education, and achieve their career goals. The career navigator brings resources from across multiple state agencies into one place, making the process of finding relevant information faster and easier.

To get started, users will complete an easy-to-use survey that tailors personalized content and services for their specific needs. This unique approach then connects individuals with comprehensive and up-to-date information from state and external sources, empowering them to make informed decisions for a bright future in Ohio. The tool will continue to be improved upon as Ohioans and state agencies provide feedback. 

More Ohioans in crisis are becoming aware of the help that is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In 2023, 988 contacts made by Ohioans totaled 162,800 calls, texts, and chats. View the 988 By the Numbers: 2023 Year in Review.

Ohioans who are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis or are in emotional distress can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for free, 24/7, confidential support. To learn more about 988 and to download the 988 Ohio Toolkit, which includes downloadable fact sheets, posters, logos, and social media shareables, visit 988.ohio.gov.

During the past six months, Bamboo Health’s OpenBeds® and OhioMHAS have collaborated with the Central Ohio Hospital Council and other agencies to breathe new life into Ohio’s behavioral health capacity management and referral system, the B-CON network. Recognizing the ongoing need for support across Ohio, Bamboo Health and OhioMHAS created a dedicated team to strengthen the network and help Ohioans access behavioral health services quickly and easily. This collaborative effort aims to make it easier for organizations to assist their clients in accessing needed behavioral health service by being able to quickly share information and connect with each other electronically, saving time compared to processing referrals via phone call or fax.

As a result of this work, more Ohioans are getting the help they need, with the rate of referral acceptance jumping from 27 percent to 64 percent between October 2023 and January 2024. In January, 176 individuals in the Columbus area were successfully referred to treatment through the B-CON network.

Want to learn more about the B-CON Network or need support in finding services for your clients? Visit the B-CON resource page for more information, and to get in touch with the team.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for more than $4.5 million in Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (STOP) Act grants. The purpose of this program is to prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth and young adults ages 12-20 in communities throughout the U.S. Award recipients will be expected to implement activities that support capacity building such as implementing evidence-based community approaches; enhancing collaboration, cooperation and coordination among communities, federal, state, and local and tribal governments; and convening town halls. SAMHSA anticipates awarding a total of 76 grants. The deadline to apply is May 3.

BrightView will host a Following the Science: MAT as a Tool for Treating the Justice Involved virtual forum on March 19 from noon-1:00 p.m.

The opioid health crisis has made reentry into society for the justice-involved a literal do-or-die scenario. Death from an opioid overdose is a leading cause of death during the first 90 days of reentry. There are well-established, proven-effective treatment methods available to help the justice-involved reach sustained recovery from a substance use disorder. But far too often, medication for addiction treatment (MAT) as part of an outpatient recovery program is not considered a viable option.

Join Dr. Corey Waller, M.D., M.S., BrightView’s Chief Medical Officer and Editor in Chief of ASAM Criteria, along with Emily Harsh, LPC, LICDC, BrightView’s Director of Justice System Outreach, as they walk through the science behind MAT and its effectiveness in helping the justice-involved. Questions? Email info@brightviewhealth.com.

As part of its ongoing "Public Service Perspectives" series, the Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service will present The Impact of Incarceration on Families, Children, and the Community on March 20 from noon-1:00 p.m. at the Ridges Building 21, Classroom 221 in Athens. A virtual option is also available upon registration. The session will be led by Gwendolyn Woods, who has served more than 32 years in the public service arena as a criminal justice professional at the city, county, and state levels.

The unintended consequences of incarceration affects a variety of areas and deserves the attention of those in public leadership roles and decision makers outside of the criminal justice system. This presentation and discussion will detail how one's incarceration not only impacts the individual serving time, but others. Questions? Email Mackenzie Kucharsky at kucharsky@ohio.edu. 

The Ohio Deflection Association, with support from the NEOMED Substance Use Deflection Initiative and Relink.org, will host Deflection 101 on March 27 at 2:00 p.m. This virtuial session will introduce participants to the core concepts of collaborative community response, exploring topics such as the definition and application of deflection, distinctions between deflection and diversion, the importance of collaboration in community response efforts, and an in-depth understanding of the "Six Pathways" model for effective and comprehensive harm-reduction strategies. 

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence is partnering with NAMI Ohio to present the 2024 Ohio Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Conference on April 10 at the Quest Conference Center in Columbus. This conference brings together Ohio CIT partners from law enforcement, mental health, and advocacy organizations, and features presenters from CIT’s and CIT Programs across the state. Along with keynote speakers and breakout sessions, the 2024 Ohio CIT Awards will be presented. Questions? Email cjccoe@neomed.edu.

Save the date! The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) will host the Second Annual Suicide in the Black Community Summit on June 20 at the OCLCC onference Center in Dublin. Registration information and keynote speaker highlights will be forthcoming. Watch the OSPF website for more details.  

The Ohio Coaching & Mentoring (OCAM) Network, with support from OhioMHAS and PreventionFIRST!, will host its 2024 conference, "Amplify & Grow Our Individual Strengths" on Aug. 1-2 at the Marriott Columbus-Northwest. Workshop topics will target leadership enhancement, communication strategies, utilizing your natural talents, emotional intelligence, and finding funding opportunities. Cost is $150. Click HERE to view the event flyer. Scholarships are available. Questions? Email scox@prevention-first.org.

The National Prevention Network Conference Planning Committee is seeking workshop proposals for its 2024 national conference to be held Aug. 13-15 in Phoenix, AZ. This year's theme is "Shining a Light on Prevention: Connecting Research, Practice, Innovation, and Equity." The NPN Conference highlights the latest research in the substance use prevention field. It also provides a forum for prevention professionals, coalition leaders, researchers, and federal partners to share research, best practices and promising evaluation results for the purpose of integrating research into prevention practice. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 11. 

The International Community Justice Association (ICJA) is seeking workshop proposals for its 60th Annual Research Conference to be held Sept. 15-18 in Louisville, KY. This year's theme is, "60 Years of Doing What Matters: Creating Hope by Opening Doors Through Emerging Research.” Workshops will be 90 minutes in length. The format may be lecture, panel presentation, or interactive. All sessions must include time for questions and answers. The conference planning committee is particularly interested in workshops that offer strong research elements that are focused on recidivism reduction or public safety enhancements through effective programs or services. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 30.