OhioMHAS NewsNow | Knox County Dedication...New Online Licensure and Certification Platform Coming...Montgomery County Prevention Coalition Learns About 988...OhioMHAS Staff Wear Purple for Recovery Month...ODM: MH Peer Support Services Effective Sept. 1...Upcoming Trainings...In the News

Ohio Department of Behavioral Health sent this bulletin at 09/10/2024 05:40 PM EDT

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

OhioMHAS Staff Visit Knox County, Dedicate New Location for The Freedom Center

On Friday, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) staff traveled to Knox County to participate in a dedication ceremony for The Freedom Center's new downtown Mount Vernon offices.

The Freedom Center purchased a building at 135 S. Main St. in Mount Vernon in April 2022 with the help of $550,000 in capital funding from OhioMHAS. At 8,000 square feet, the new location nearly doubles the the center’s current space at 106 E. Gambier St. Donations from The Ariel Foundation, Knox County Foundation, Mental Health and Recovery for Licking and Knox Counties, Park National Bank, The Energy Cooperative, and several local families helped pay for renovations. The downtown location will officially open in October. The Freedom Center has plans to convert its existing location into recovery housing.

Established in 1977, The Freedom Center provides outpatient behavioral health prevention and treatment services. Staff provide assessments, individual and group counseling, and family support services for those struggling with substance use and mental health issues. The Freedom Center has treatment options for all ages and special populations.

PICTURED (l-r): Sharon Thibodeaux, OhioMHAS Central Region Coordinator; Kay Spergel, Executive Director, Mental Health and Recovery Board for Licking and Knox Counties; Art Wills, OhioMHAS Assistant Chief, Bureau of Capital Planning and Management; Pam Craycraft, Director of Quality Assurance, The Freedom Center; Afet Kilinc, Executive Director, The Freedom Center; and John Annarino, OhioMHAS Chief of Staff.

OhioMHAS Bureau of Licensure and Certification to Begin Roll Out of New SansWrite Online Survey Platform

Beginning this Fall, the OhioMHAS Bureau of Licensure and Certification is transitioning to an electronic web-based platform — SansWrite — for onsite survey findings and subsequent provider plan of corrections, replacing the current paper process. This change is part of OhioMHAS’ strategic plan to improve coordination of department processes to promote efficiency and accountability.

SansWrite is a specialized compliance-monitoring platform that helps government agencies and regulated businesses more effectively work together to correct findings and prevent recurrence. The SansWrite platform will utilize a compliance monitoring model designed to assess regulatory compliance throughout an entire certifying or licensing period and provide a longitudinal view of compliance. The three-phased approach will include onsite surveys, submitting plans of correction, and creating touch points for prevention that include the opportunity for provider self-assessments to reinforce ongoing compliance and reduce repeat findings.

All certified and licensed providers will be transitioned to SansWrite. This includes: community behavioral health services providers; opioid treatment programs; residential facility class 1, 2, and 3 providers; and private psychiatric hospitals.

The transition to SansWrite will be phased in by provider type. The projected timeframe by provider type is:

• Community Behavioral Health Services providers — Fall 2024
• Opioid Treatment Program and Residential Class 1 providers — Winter 2025
• Private Psychiatric Hospitals — Spring 2025
• Residential Class 2 and 3 providers — Summer 2025

Prior to go-live dates, there will be training opportunities for providers to learn how to access and use the SansWrite platform. Watch NewsNow for training dates. Questions? Email LicCert@mha.ohio.gov.

Learn More About SansWrite

Spreading Awareness About the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Last week, Ohio 988 Administrator Doug Jackson provided an overview of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to about 120 members of the Montgomery County Prevention Coalition (MCPC). Jackson explained how calls, texts, and chats are routed to the appropriate call center and described the de-escalation techniques that bring comfort and connection to those reaching out for support. The event also featured a 988 Resource Fair, so everyone in attendance could take 988 resources back to those they serve.

OhioMHAS Staff Wear Purple in Honor of Recovery Month

In recognition of September as Recovery Month, OhioMHAS staff wore purple, which is widely seen as the color of recovery, to the office last week.

One in five Ohioans lives with a mental illness or substance use disorder. It's more important than ever to dismantle the stigmas surrounding recovery and foster awareness. In support of this mission, OhioMHAS and RecoveryOhio have partnered to provide a free digital toolkit for communities to increase public awareness of recovery, dismantle the stigma around mental health and addiction, and provide resources for those in recovery.

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Mental Health Peer Support Services Effective Sept. 1

The Ohio Department of Medicaid's (ODM) Behavioral Health Policy team reminds providers that Mental Health Peer Support Services, announced in the August 12 Behavioral Health Bulletin, became effective Sept. 1. An updated Ohio Medicaid Behavioral Health Manual 1.27 was published on Aug. 27 and includes information about Mental Health Peer Support Services billing. Any questions about Mental Health Peer Support Services may be directed to BHPolicy@medicaid.ohio.gov.

Women's Treatment and FASD Symposium — Sept. 19-20

The deadline to register for the 2024 Women's Treatment and FASD Symposium has been extended to 4:00 p.m. on Sept. 13. The Symposium will take place Thursday and Friday, Sept. 19-20, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, 2700 Corporate Exchange Drive, in Columbus. Most of the two-day event will also be hosted in an online platform for virtual participants.

This year's themes are:
Sept. 19 | SUD and Family Impact
Sept. 20 | FASD - A Portrait of Diversity throughout Ohio

Click HERE to view the agenda and HERE to view speaker bios.

Learn More and Register

Peer Leaders Co-Creating a ROSC — Sept. 24

Relink.org will present Peer Leaders Co-Creating a Recovery-Oriented System of Care on Sept. 24 at 2:00 p.m. This webinar will delve into the journey and impact of the On the Front Lines Community Alliance (OTFLCA), a pioneering organization born from the collaboration of peer recovery professionals seeking to address the challenges and gaps within the emerging field of peer support. This community of practice emphasizes the foundational principles of peer support, where shared experiences and mutual understanding lead to innovative solutions and effective coping strategies for both community members and professionals. By fostering a culture of trust and collaboration, OTFLCA is redefining the role of individuals with lived experience in substance use and mental health, bridging gaps between recovery professionals, and advocating for policies and programs that enhance the credibility and impact of peer recovery support. Questions? Email info@relink.org.

Register

Lunch & Learn: Building a Caring Crisis Continuum out of the Lived Experience — Sept. 26

As part of its ongoing Lunch & Learn series, Clear Pathways will present Building a Caring Crisis Continuum out of the Lived Experience on Sept. 26 at 1:00 p.m. This training will provide participants with a logic-driven experience that describes how lived experience and practical solutions have come together to build a continuum that not only addresses crises, but continues to support individuals throughout the healing process. Steve Miccio, Chief Executive Officer at People USA, will delve into several crisis services and how they operate, and introduce a host of wellness services that move individuals toward a path of improved self-determination, empowerment, education, and decision-making.

Register

The Complex Interplay Between Trauma, Substance Use, and Avoidance Behaviors — Sept. 26

The Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Learning Network will present a free The Complex Interplay Between Trauma, Substance Use, and Avoidance Behaviors webinar on Sept. 26 from noon-1:00 p.m.

Participants will:

Identify the areas of the brain affected by trauma.
Identify the areas of the brain affected by substance use.
Learn the role of avoidance with mental health disorders.
Learn the intersection of avoidance with trauma and substance use.
Learn the connection of brain regions affected by trauma and substance use leading to a rise in avoidance.

Register

Improving Mental Health Equity for Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Conditions: An Examination of Risk and Protective Factors and Potential Interventions — Oct. 10

As part of its Disability, Equity, and Mental Health Research webinar series, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) will present Improving Mental Health Equity for Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Conditions: An Examination of Risk and Protective Factors and Potential Interventions on Oct. 10 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Emerging research shows that depression, suicidality, and other mental health disorders are more common among autistic people and those with neurodevelopmental conditions compared to the general population. However, people with neurodevelopmental conditions have often been excluded from mental health research and clinical trials, leading to fewer treatment options that meet the needs of individuals, families, and providers. This webinar will feature two experts sharing new insights and potential solutions.

Learn More and Register

Mental Health and IDD: Putting Knowledge into Action ECHO Series

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center has announced its latest Building Bridges ECHO: Mental Health and IDD — Putting Knowledge into Action. The purpose of this free, virtual training series is to provide live, interactive, interdisciplinary training to professionals who would work with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health conditions. The goal is to create a community of practice to improve cross-system collaboration and service delivery for adults with ID/DD and mental health conditions. Weekly sessions (Mondays from noon-1:30 p.m.) begin Oct. 14 and will conclude on Dec. 9.

Register

Presenters Sought: Virtual Caring for the Caregiver Summit — Nov. 12-14

Courage to Caregivers is hosting it's 5th Annual Virtual Summit: Caring for the Caregivers — Navigating the Journey of Caring on Nov. 12-14. This free training is focused on unpaid family caregivers and professional caregivers, and offers CEUs and CEs for Certified Family and Peer Recovery Supporters. The Summit planning committee is currently accepting applications from experienced presenters for workshops focused on education, support, and/or empowerment.

Register

OALA Conference and Trade Show — Nov. 18-19

The Ohio Assisted Living Association (OALA) will host its 2024 Fall Conference and Trade Show Nov. 18-19 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. Click HERE for attendee registration, HERE to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, and HERE for trade show/exhibitor information.