“When I became Governor in 2019, I made fighting drug addiction and preventing overdose deaths one of my administration’s top priorities,” Governor Mike DeWine said Wednesday at a news conference announcing the release of the report. “This new data shows that Ohio is on the right track, and the numbers have been getting more encouraging each of the past few years. But we also recognize that our work is far from complete – that every overdose death remains a tragedy. These results further sharpen our resolve to continue our fight to save more lives.”

The report shows that Ohio has now outperformed national overdose death trends for two years in a row. In 2023, Ohio’s 9% decrease in overdose deaths was better than the 2% decrease seen nationwide. In 2022, Ohio’s 5% decrease in overdose deaths was better than the 1% increase seen nationwide. The report also shows building momentum through the end of 2023 and into this calendar year. In 2023, there was a 24% decrease in the number of overdose deaths from the second quarter to the fourth quarter.

The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers (Ohio Council) hosted its 2024 Annual Conference on Oct. 30-31. Themed "Unmasking Our Potential," this year's conference brought together experts, state agency directors, and behavioral health practitioners from throughout Ohio to explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities. Attendees gained valuable insights through engaging sessions and panels on a variety of critical topics that impact the future of behavioral health policy and treatment. Participants had the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, improve behavioral health outcomes, and network with peers. 

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director LeeAnne Cornyn (pictured top) provided luncheon remarks on day one. Director Cornyn highlighted the department's strategic priorities, agency reorganization efforts, and budget timeline. She was followed by a panel featuring several members of the OhioMHAS executive leadership team (pictured bottom) who also fielded questions from conference attendees.  

Student mental health needs in Ohio are increasing. The free Ohio Healthy Youth Environments Survey (OHYES!) helps schools identify and address mental health needs and improve overall student health. View the agency support letter from the directors of the Ohio Departments of Education and Workforce, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Health.

About OHYES! OHYES! is a voluntary, anonymous, web-based survey you can use with students in grades 7-12 that takes about 30-35 minutes. There are two versions of the survey — the standard 110-question survey and an optional 120-question survey.

Important Information:

• Registration closes Nov. 8.
• Schools must register at least one month before they plan to administer the survey to allow sufficient time for parent notification.
• Survey Administration occurs Oct. 1–Dec. 20.
• View the slides from our Fall 2024 informational webinar.

Superintendents, principals, and their designees can register schools using the ODEW School Information Retrieval Number (IRN). To register you will need contact information for superintendents and principals and two school survey coordinators, and which version of the survey will be used. Questions? Email info@ohyes.ohio.gov.

OhioPRO has partnered with C4 Innovations to conduct an environmental scan of recovery supports in Ohio. This project will help document the current landscape and inform the next steps for expanding equitable access to recovery and peer support in the state. 

Please complete this survey and share the link with anyone who is working in community-based peer recovery support settings in the state. If you have difficulty completing the survey, please contact Kennedy Wilbert at kwilbert@c4innovates.com. The deadline to complete the survey is Nov. 8.

The Governor's Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force has announced the release of two new resources for communities available at the links below. 

Protocol for Serving Child Victims of Trafficking in Ohio -The Child Response Protocol Toolkit is designed to equip Ohio’s communities with tools to support a coordinated response to sex and/or labor trafficking of youth. This toolkit provides a series of preferred practices to assist communities in creating collaborative, survivor-centered interventions.

Anti-Trafficking Community Assessment Tool- This tool was developed to aid local anti-trafficking coalitions and communities in two primary goals:

1. Community assessment – This tool can support coalitions as they assess their community resources and protocols to identify gaps in identifying and serving survivors. Phase one of the tool helps to consider potential gaps, and phase two of the tool helps the coalition to think critically about how to fill those gaps.
   
   
2.  Assessment of coalition partners – In partnership with local coalitions, this tool can be utilized by organizations that wish to introduce new services to survivors in their community. Phase one ensures new organizations are aware of the existing community resources and response, and phase two supports these organizations in identifying models of best practice and accessing pertinent technical support.

The Ohio Substance Use Disorders Center of Excellence (SUD COE) at Case Western Reserve University's Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences is pleased to share an important update regarding the treatment of opioid use disorder.

The State Medical Board of Ohio has adopted amended rules for Ohio physicians and physician assistants concerning the treatment of opioid use disorder. These updated rules took effect on Oct. 31 and are a significant step in reducing barriers to care and improving treatment outcomes. A quick summary of the amendments can be found on the Ohio SUD COE website. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released several documents to advance recovery across the nation. These resources offer support across the four major dimensions of recovery: health, home, purpose, and community. The guidance focuses on funding recovery support services through the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services (SUPTRS Block Grant); the role of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility; the expansion of peer support specialists, and the impact of physical activity in recovery.

• Funding Recovery Support Services Through the SUPTRS Block Grant
• A Guide for Single State Agencies: Supporting Recovery with SUPTRS Block Grant Funding
• Important Considerations in Recovery
• Peer Support Specialist: A Growing Mental Health and Addictions Workforce
• The Intersection of Physical Activity, Wellness, and Recovery

Prevention Action Alliance has teamed up with CADCA to offer a Drug-Free Communities Grant coalition training series. This program equips coalition leaders with the essential knowledge and tools to build or sustain an effective substance use prevention coalition and secure the DFC Grant. Led by expert CADCA Trainers, the sessions cover everything from prevention fundamentals and data collection to strategic action planning and community engagement. Participants can pick and choose which topics fit their needs and schedule. Upcoming Sessions and registration are listed below. All are free to attend.

Nov. 5 | Session 7: Advocacy and Policy  (virtual) | Register
Nov. 5 | Session 8: Implementation and Evaluation (virtual) | Register 
Nov. 19 | SPCA Fall Fest — Session 9: Sustainability (SPCA Fall Fest) | Register

In recognition of November as National Family Caregivers Month, Courage to Caregivers will host the 5th Annual Caring for the Caregivers Virtual Summit on Nov. 12-14 from 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. This year's theme is "Navigating the Journey of Caring." The Summit will focus on education, support, and empowerment for professional and unpaid family caregivers. Free continuing education units (three per day) are available for social workers, counselors, behavioral health professionals, and certified peer supporters. Questions? Email Kristi Horner at kristi@couragetocaregivers.org. 

Join Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) for a town hall listening session in collaboration with OhioCAN of Licking County on Nov. 21 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at 101 W. Main St. in Newark. The event will be dedicated to hearing the voices and experience of people in recovery from substance use disorders. Snacks will be provided. For more information, call 614.600.9822 or email advocate@oca-ohio.org. 

The Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Coalition of Southwest Ohio, in partnership with the Mental Health Recovery Board Serving Warren and Clinton Counties and the University of Cincinnati School of Social Work, is hosting a free Problem Gambling Continuing Education Day on Dec. 6 from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Participants may attend in-person at the Warren C. Young Center in Lebanon, or virtually via Zoom. Click HERE to view the agenda. For more information, email Gregory Stewart at stewargy@ucmail.uc.edu. 

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO), in partnership with Ohio for Responsible Gambling, will host the 2025 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference on Jan. 29-30 at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center. The conference will bring together national experts, state leaders, and local innovators in problem gambling prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery, research, administration, and responsible gambling. Those interested in prevention and treatment of gambling disorder should attend, as well as healthcare professionals who want to learn more about the convergence of risky behaviors such as gambling, substance use, mental health disorders, and health conditions across the lifespan. Click HERE to view the agenda, HERE for scholarship information, and HERE for sponsorship/exhibiting information. Cost is $175 for both days and $125 for single day admission. Questions? Email events@pgno.org.