Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin this week announced an increase in the number of schools providing prevention-focused programs, services, and supports. The latest Prevention Services Report outlines this progress from school years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.  

Prevention-focused programs, services, and supports assist students in developing the knowledge and skills to engage in healthy behaviors and decision-making, and to increase their awareness of the dangers and consequences of risky behaviors. During the 2022-2023 school year, 98 percent of schools offered prevention-focused programs and supports and more than 93 percent of schools offered prevention-focused curricula.  

“Prevention-focused programs equip students with knowledge and skills to manage their health and well-being now and in the future,” said Governor DeWine. “Schools are strengthening partnerships with families and community organizations to ensure children are ready to learn each day.” 

“Students who are healthy, safe, and supported in the classroom are better prepared to meet their academic and career goals,” said Director Dackin. “I applaud the ways Ohio schools, students, families, and community partners are working together to create positive school climates and address barriers that prevent students from engaging in learning.” 

In the 2022-2023 school year, schools reported increases in prevention-focused programs, services, and supports, including: 

• More than 94 percent of schools partnered with community coalitions, organizations, or other external agencies to provide prevention services and resources to families during the 2022-2023 school year compared to more than 92 percent in the 2021-2022 school year.  
• A total of 3,192 (92.6 percent) schools reported efforts to engage with parents and families regarding prevention-focused services during the 2022-2023 school year.  
• More than 96 percent of schools provided prevention-focused professional development during the 2021-2022 school year, while more than 97 percent of schools provided prevention-focused professional development during the 2022-2023 school year.   

Under the leadership of Governor DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly, Ohio’s districts and schools are provided with Student Wellness and Success Funds and Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid to implement initiatives that support wraparound services for Ohio’s students, including the implementation of culturally appropriate, evidence-based or evidence-informed prevention services.  

The Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion is currently accepting membership applications for four newly established statewide advisory committees:

1. Adult Alcohol Misuse Prevention: Implementation planning for comprehensive strategies to prevent alcohol misuse among adult Ohioans.
2. Vaping Prevention: Implementation planning for comprehensive strategies to prevent vaping across the lifespan in Ohio
3. Training Coordination: Coordinating a comprehensive training strategy to meet the needs of Ohio's behavioral health prevention workforce 
4. Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): Supporting strategies to expand QPR training for professional and pre-professional students across the state

The Center invites professionals with substantial expertise and/or professional experience in these areas to consider applying. Each advisory committee will convene virtually, ensuring accessibility to members from all regions of Ohio. Apply by May 10. Questions? Email PreventionCOE@ohio.gov. 

Thrive Peer Recovery Services CEO Brian Bailys has been elected as the new President of the Ohio Alliance of Recovery Providers (OARP). OARP is a coalition of 39 substance use disorder treatment organizations, all certified by OhioMHAS. The alliance focuses on transitioning individuals from active addiction to productive citizenship, while increasing access to treatment and developing a recovery-oriented system of care across Ohio.

Bailys has been instrumental in providing peer support to Medicaid-eligible patients across Ohio and advocating for effective recovery strategies. He is a notable speaker on recovery topics, actively participating in various task forces and holding positions such as a member of the OARP Executive Committee and as a founding board member of the Ohio Institute for Substance Use Disorder Excellence. As President of OARP, Bailys will champion initiatives that enhance access to treatment services and advocate for the development of best practices in recovery care. These efforts aim to inform and influence policy at both the state and national levels, according to a press release. 

SAMHSA has released the 2022 Mental Health Client-Level Data (MH-CLD) Annual Report, which details the total number of clients receiving mental health treatment services in 2022 by demographics, National Outcome Measures, top five mental health diagnoses for children (ages 0-17) and adults (ages 18 and older) by geographic distribution. The report additionally includes a summary of client characteristics for the 2018-2022 reporting periods.

In the 2022 reporting period, a total of 6.9 million clients received mental health treatment services provided or funded by state mental health agencies. The data were provided by 49 states, the District of Columbia, and three territories. Among all clients receiving mental health treatment services in 2022 with at least one mental health diagnosis, the most common diagnosis was depressive disorders (31.4 percent) followed by anxiety disorders (28.3 percent).

In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Mental Health America has announced the Be Seen In Green fundraiser challenge. Throughout the month, MHA is encouraging everyone to wear green to show support for mental health. Green is more than just a color — it's the international symbol for mental health awareness. Representing fresh starts, optimism, and energy, wearing green (or even adding a touch of it to your space) makes a bright and bold statement: I care about mental health! Click the link above to learn more about the challenge. 

The State Medical Board of Ohio launched a new podcast — Med Board Pulse. The show will feature staff, leadership and partners helping listeners understand the board’s primary responsibilities and sharing important resources that are available to Ohio patients. The podcast is part of the Medical Board’s public information campaign, with a purpose to create a safer patient experience for all Ohioans.

The Medical Board will release multiple episodes every quarter, exploring topics such as the complaint and investigations process, handling sexual misconduct complaints, and problem prescribers. To listen, visit med.ohio.gov/for-the-public/podcast. Med Board Pulse is also available on Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.

OhioMHAS is planning regional, introductory-level NOVA Crisis Response Team Trainings. The free trainings will take place between May and October 2024, in each of Ohio’s six regional psychiatric hospital areas (see map). These hands-on, practical trainings, designed by the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA) will be three days long and geared toward mental health professionals, victim advocates, law enforcement personnel, and others who confront human crisis in their work.

During the trainings, which are funded through SAMHSA’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Grant, instructors will explain the impact of trauma on individuals and groups, explore crisis intervention theory, and prepare participants to respond with appropriate psychological intervention. Participants who complete the three-day training will receive a NOVA Certificate and be offered the opportunity to sign up for the Ohio Crisis Response Team (OCRT), a highly qualified, all-volunteer mobilization group that may be deployed to respond to traumatic events in Ohio and other states. 

OhioMHAS is currently scheduling up to 12 trainings, which will each be open to 25 Ohio residents on a first come, first served basis.

• The Summit regional area’s training dates are confirmed for July 22-24, 2024, and September 30-October 2, 2024, and will be held at the Montgomery County Board in Dayton.
• The Twin Valley regional area’s training dates are confirmed for June 5-7, 2024, and July 10-12, 2024, and will be held at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in Columbus.
• The Northcoast regional area’s training dates are confirmed for August 27-29, and October 8-10, and will be held at the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County.
• The Appalachian regional area training date is confirmed for June 11-13, 2024, and will be held at Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare, Athens, Ohio.
• We are working on other catchment areas’ training dates and locations and will provide updates.

If you are interested in registering to participate in a NOVA Crisis Response Team Training for your counties’ regional area, or if you would like more information about the NOVA Crisis Response Team Trainings, email maryann.sparks@mha.ohio.gov. We are in the process of applying for CEUs. If you have a professional license, please provide that information when you register.

BrightView Health will host a Summer Recovery: Patient Strategies to Manage AUD/SUD webinar on May 22 from noon-1:00 p.m. Join Rhonda Roper, LCSW, LISW, BrightView Vice President of Quality Operations, as she walks through the approach providers need to ensure their patients can avoid a return to use during the summer. Attendees will learn about: avoiding triggering behavior without isolating themselves; utilizing coping skills to manage the stress summer can bring; and tackling real-life scenarios they might face. Questions? Email info@brightviewhealth.com.

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) has announced two upcoming virtual ethics trainings for prevention and treatment professionals.

The Prevention Ethics training will be held on May 17 from 9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. This training will meet the requirements for those interested in pursuing an OCPSA certification, or for those renewing an OCPSA, OCPS, or OCPC certification. Click HERE for more information and to register.

The Treatment Ethics training will be held on May 24 from 9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. PGNO is an approved continuing education provider through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board, Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board, and the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board. Click HERE for more information and to register. 

Prevention Action Alliance, in partnership with OhioMHAS, will host the 2024 Ohio Prevention Conference (OPC) on Aug. 19-20 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. Centered around the theme, "Prevention is More," this year's conference will highlight how prevention impacts every facet of the community — from public and private businesses, to health departments, educators, families, youth, behavioral health specialists, and more.

OPC is the premier educational opportunity for those dedicated to fostering a healthier environment. Attendees will engage with cutting-edge prevention science, hone skills in implementing evidence-based strategies, and forge connections with diverse sectors from across Ohio through meaningful networking. The conference emphasizes cultural competency and equity, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to prevention.

Cost is $50. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided. Click HERE for hotel information. Click HERE to submit a workshop proposal by 5:00 p.m. on May 17.