OhioMHAS Funding Opportunities
The OhioMHAS Bureau of Grants Administration is pleased to share the following funding opportunities. Click the links for more information.
OhioMHAS Landlord Incentive Program
OhioMHAS is seeking requests for interest in providing funding opportunities to Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Boards that are interested in participating in the Landlord Incentive Program, to access funding to incentivize landlords to rent to individuals with a criminal record, who have a mental illness and/or substance use disorder, or are being discharged from a psychiatric hospital. This opportunity will provide up to $1 million for incentive payments to participating private landlords, who provide permanent housing settings with standard landlord-tenant leases to the program’s target population in Ohio communities. Responses are due by 3:00 p.m. on Nov. 26.
Behavioral Health Workforce Technical Assistance Center
OhioMHAS has released a new Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity for Ohio American Psychological Association (APA) accredited doctoral psychology internship programs that are interested in participating in a pilot program. Funding proposals must be from internship sites that offer clinical rotations in non-residential or community mental health and healthcare systems, with a focus on serving underserved populations. This pilot opportunity is planned for SFY 2026. Responses are due by 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 29.
Expansion of Employment Services
OhioMHAS is seeking proposals from qualified applicants to establish and support programs of employment for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED), who are actively engaged in treatment programs and/or recovery housing. Responses are due by 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 2.
OhioMHAS Licensure & Certification Bureau to Switch from Certified Mail to RPost e-Delivery Platform Beginning Nov. 18
Beginning the week of Nov. 18, 2024, the OhioMHAS Legal and Licensure & Certification offices will be transitioning from sending U.S. Postal Certified Mail to an electronic platform, Rpost, for licensure/certification letters. Rpost is a company that offers registered electronic communication and provides legal e-delivery proof of when the email was sent, delivered, and opened. This change is part of OhioMHAS’ strategic plan to improve coordination of department processes to promote efficiency and accountability.
When the division has a need to send an email with verified delivery, the LACTS emails on file for CEO and/or Point of Contact will be used to deliver email messages to your organization. With this transition, and as we approach the end of the year, now is an excellent time to review LACTS to ensure the CEO and Point of Contact email addresses on the Provider Information page is current.
If you have questions regarding this transition or how to update your organization's contact information, please email liccert@mha.ohio.gov or call 614.752.8880.
Get Ready for Improved OhioMHAS iPortal Security
Multi-Factor Authentication to be Implemented
to Further Secure Sensitive Information
To keep sensitive information even more secure, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Office of Information Systems will be implementing an update of the login process for the iPortal platform. iPortal will begin using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Dec. 9, 2024. The planned change will make iPortal applications such as GFMS and LACTS more secure by requiring an extra layer of protection when users log into the platform. Current app users can get ready for this change by adding MFA to their OHID accounts at any point in the coming weeks.
Setting up MFA is simple: log into OHID.ohio.gov and click Account Settings. Choose 2-Step Verification and follow the directions. For example, you can add IBM Authenticator to your cell phone and the app will lead you through the steps to complete setup. Other methods of authentication include an email or text message with a unique code.
After Dec. 9, when you log into iPortal you will enter your OHID and password, and then you will be prompted to verify through the second authentication method. If you have not yet completed MFA set up, you will be stepped through the process when you login for the first time. New users will set up MFA when they first establish an OHID.
Some iPortal apps that contain privileged health or personally identifiable information (PHI or PII) already require MFA. These app users should not notice any change to their MFA setup, but they will be prompted for secondary authentication when they first log in to iPortal, rather than when they open their app, as was the case before.
If you need any assistance, please open an OIS helpdesk ticket.
|
 OhioMHAS 988 Manager Speaks to Veterans about 988 as a Valuable Resource
988 Technical Manager Tom Gerber, a Navy veteran and auxiliary officer for Shawnee Hills Police Department, gave a short presentation on Saturday during the village’s Veteran’s Day Ceremony regarding the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and how it helps Ohio’s veteran community. Tom shared information about 988, including the background and current call statistics.
He presented to approximately 50 village residents, members of the local first responder community, village council members, and the Plain City chapter of the American Legion.
|
Community Coalition Survey
The Statewide Prevention Coalition Association (SPCA) has released a new Community Coalition Survey to gain a deeper understanding of the critical needs of community coalitions across Ohio. Insights gathered will help Prevention Action Alliance identify the unique strengths, challenges, and composition of coalitions across diverse communities. The information will help shape strategies, resources, and support to maximize the impact of coalitions. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes and is completely anonymous. All responses will remain confidential as data will be aggregated with no personal identifiers. The survey is being conducted by Kent State University on behalf of PAA. If you have any questions please contact Deric Kenne, Ph.D. at dkenne@kent.edu.
|
New OACBHA Resource Focuses on Developing Coping Skills in Recovery
The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) has released a new one pager focused on the importance of individuals developing coping skills while in recovery. When experiencing traumatic moments in life, it’s important to use the skills learned to find healthy outlets for stress and anxiety. These skills help manage the most challenging moments of life. When recovering from addiction or a mental illness, however, the mental, emotional, and physical ability to cope with stress and grief may be lower than normal. Re-learning how to deal with life’s tough times without substances or self-harm is critical for long-term recovery.
|
SAMHSA Launches National Behavioral Health Career Workforce Navigator
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) this week announced the launch of the Behavioral Health Workforce Career Navigator, designed to help current and aspiring behavioral health professionals identify state requirements for a range of behavioral health careers.
SAMHSA also published the Practical Guide for Expanding the Community-based Behavioral Health Workforce, which presents best practices for expanding community-initiated prevention and care and the role of behavioral health support specialists. It offers examples of community-based models of care and provides resources for communities working to ensure community members’ well-being.
Click HERE to learn more about how OhioMHAS is supporting Ohio's wellness workforce.
CMS Announces New Final Rules Designed to Promote Access to Mental Health and SUD Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced new finalized policies designed to promote access to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) care for beneficiaries under Medicaid. These new policies are part of the Calendar Year 2024 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, the Calendar Year 2024 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems Final Rule with Comment Period, and the Contract Year 2025 Proposed Medicare Advantage and Part D rules.
Key changes include:
- Finalized procedures to “… allow Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors, including addiction counselors or alcohol and drug counselors who meet all the requirements to be a Mental Health Counselor, to enroll as Medicare providers.”
- Finalized procedures to “… change the required level of supervision for behavioral health services performed at federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to allow for “general” supervision rather than “direct” supervision.”
- Finalized payment for “… Community Health Integration and Principal Illness Navigation services that can be provided by community health workers and peer support specialists when unmet social needs, such as food, housing, or transportation problems, interfere with health care.”
- Finalized payment for “… intensive outpatient programs (IOP), which can be performed by hospital outpatient departments, Community Mental Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, or Rural Health Centers. CMS is also finalizing payments for intensive outpatient services provided by Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP).”
- Proposed requirement that “… Medicare Advantage plans include an adequate number of Outpatient Behavioral Health facilities, which can include Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, Opioid Treatment Providers, and other practitioners providing therapy and SUD treatment in their provider networks.”
The final rules also increase payment for certain timed mental health and SUD services, including psychotherapy, and increase the payment rate for SUD treatment provided in office settings.
|
OCAAR Peer Support Booster Program — Nov. 19-20
Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) will host a six-module Peer Support Booster Program on Nov. 19-20. Leading experts will present on a variety of critical peer recovery support topics, including ethics and boundaries, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed peer support, self care, professionalism, and health equity. Classes are free and held virtually via Zoom. Click HERE to register for Nov. 19 and HERE to register for Nov. 20. Questions? Email advocate@oca-ohio.org.
|
Grief: A Simultaneously Unique, Yet Universal Experience — Dec. 2
The first week of December is National Grief Awareness Week, a time to acknowledge those who have experienced loss, help raise awareness about grief nationwide and offer support and resources. SAMHSA is hosting a Grief: A Simultaneously Unique, Yet Universal Experience webinar on Dec. 2 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Featuring experts in the field of bereavement, this webinar will highlight the social, cultural, and community perspectives of grief and raise awareness about the differences, yet similarities of this human experience.
Upcoming SUD COE Trainings
The Ohio Substance Use Disorder Coordinating Center of Excellence (SUD COE) has recently added a new series of training programs designed to equip professionals with the latest and most effective strategies in the provision of SUD treatment.
A variety of essential/core topics are continually available, as well as newly added content areas each month which include:
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)/Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
- Stages of Change
- Motivating Behavior Change
- Clinical Documentation
All sessions are offered free of charge to ensure accessible professional development with complimentary CEUs with active participation. Click HERE to view a list of upcoming trainings.
Call for Proposals: Ohio Children's Alliance Spring Conference
The Ohio Children's Alliance will host its 49th Annual Spring Conference on March 31-April 1, 2025 at the Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark. The planning committee is seeking proposals for presentations, workshops, and panels aligned with the theme, "Reboot and Rebound: Discovering Joy in Change." Click HERE to view and download workshop and presenter guidelines. The deadline to submit a proposal is Dec. 11.
|
Proposals Sought: Ohio's 2025 Mental Health & Addictions Conference
The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA), in partnership with OhioMHAS, will host will host Ohio’s 2025 Mental Health and Addiction Conference: Advancing Care in Communities on June 9-10, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus.
This 15th annual conference will focus on efforts related to mental health and addiction prevention, education, intervention, treatment, recovery, family supports, community engagement, and more. The conference will help advance the resources and knowledge essential for communities to provide support to those in need.
OACBHA is currently accepting workshop proposals on a variety of topics. The deadline to submit a proposal is Dec. 16. Questions? Email Shelby Embrey at sembrey@oacbha.org.
|
In the News...
Ohio receives $100M boost to combat opioid use, overdoses
Cleveland.com, November 13, 2024
How $100M will help drug overdose deaths in Ohio
Dayton Daily News, November 13, 2024
Kids in Crisis: Suicide a leading cause of death among young people. What can be done
Dayton Daily News, November 13, 2024
First-ever randomized clinical trial uses video telehealth for suicide prevention
MedicalXPress, November 12, 2024
Zepf Center says 24/7 youth shelter meets important need in Lucas County and beyond
WTOL-TV, November 12, 2024
As the pandemic deepened, Americans kept drinking more
The New York Times, November 11, 2024
Lorain County Veteran Service Commission raises awareness of veteran suicide crisis
Lorain Morning Journal, November 11, 2024
Pioneer of local addiction services is honored
WKBN-TV, November 11, 2024
County organizations receive OneOhio funding
Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune, November 10, 2024
Cleveland proposes 'Tanisha's Law' to send clinicians, not police to MH emergencies
Cleveland.com, November 8, 2024
Flag sculpture gives a voice to veterans' experiences
Youngstown Business Journal, November 8, 2024
Specialized dockets leave individual impact on communities
Court News Ohio, November 8, 2024
Army Veteran helping others break stigma of getting help after returning home
WFMJ-TV, November 8, 2024
Focusing on HER: Cincy nonprofit provides solutions to housing, education, and recovery
WCPO-TV, November 7, 2024
County seeks to expand mental, behavioral health services in schools
Akron.com, November 7, 2024
Non-traditional first responders offered training on use of Narcan
Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune, November 6, 2024
More than $500K granted to Valley organizations fighting substance misuse
WFMJ-TV, November 6, 2024
Ohio State researchers to explore how music intervention may help reduce PTSD
The Lantern, November 5, 2024
|
