On Thursday, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director LeeAnne Cornyn provided an overview of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's budget recommendations and their impact on Ohio’s behavioral health services system. In case you weren't able to attend the webinar, the recording and the slide deck are both available on the OhioMHAS website.

Governor DeWine introduced his executive budget proposal for state fiscal years 2026-2027 on Monday during a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse. If you were not able to watch the press conference live, a recording is available on the Ohio Channel. The Blue Book, Tax Expenditure Report, and other budget-related materials are available on the Ohio Office of Budget and Management's website. 

Northwest Ohio Behavioral Healthcare (NOBH) in Toledo has received The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation for demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

"We commend Northwest Ohio Behavioral Healthcare for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity and compassion for all patients,” said Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer at The Joint Commission. 

NOBH underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review from Oct. 22-25. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with hospital standards spanning several areas including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, medication management, and rights and responsibilities of the individual. The hospital was also assessed on compliance with the Special Conditions for Psychiatric Hospitals through The Joint Commission’s deemed status survey process.

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help healthcare organizations measure, assess, and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

The Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at Case Western Reserve University recently published two new Mobile Response & Stabilization Services (MRSS) Data Briefs that provide summaries of referral sources, reasons and symptoms, and services provided. Click HERE to view a PDF of the Referral Reasons brief and HERE to view a PDF of the Referral Sources brief.  

MRSS is a mobile crisis service intended to establish individual and family safety, maintain youth in the least restrictive setting, divert children from hospital emergency rooms and inpatient care, keep young people safe at home and in school whenever possible, and assist youth and families in reducing the frequency and intensity of future crises. Families with youth and young adults through age 20 who are experiencing distress or crisis can receive in-person assistance within 60 minutes after contacting MRSS. The service can also include up to 42 days of intensive, in-home supports and linkage to future assistance. The MRSS number is 1.888.418.MRSS (6777). 

NAMI Ohio this week unveiled a new website to make it easier to find support, resources, and information — whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one. In a message to stakeholders, NAMI Ohio said the new site features: live chat support, updated Contact Us forms, expanded resources, affiliate map and local contacts, program overviews and training information, and upcoming events and opportunities to connect. Visit www.namiohio.org for more. 

Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) is seeking nominations for its 2025 Recover Out Loud Award. To be eligible for the award, the nominee must: be an Ohio resident in recovery from a substance use disorder and/or co-occurring condition, have a minimum of three years of publicly open recovery, and demonstrate the impact of their "out-loud" recovery. The award will be presented at OCAAR's Fourth Annual Recover Out Loud Luncheon on April 16 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Africa Events Center. 

The Ohio State University College of Social Work Office of Continuing Education, in partnership with the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, is offering a webinar series to enhance understanding of gambling in Ohio. Click the links below for more information and to register. Each session is $30 and will take place from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Questions? Email cswce@osu.edu.

Feb. 11 | Gambling and the Financial Impact | More Information
March 4 | Navigating Cognitive Distortions in Gambling Treatment | More Information
May 6 | Gambling and Lethality — Why Ask? | More Information
June 3 | Sports Betting Update and Collegiate Impact | More Information

Saint Ambrose Cares Mental Health Ministry, Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish, and Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland will partner to host the Accompaniment & Mental Health Ministry Conference on Feb.  21 from 8:00a.m.-2:30p.m. at the Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish. This conference is designed for service providers and community members from Northeast Ohio and beyond whose common bond is walking with, caring about, and taking actions to support individuals and families with mental illness. Attendees will engage in meaningful conversations and learn from members of the medical community, mental health service providers, and faith leaders how to effectively respond to mental illness. The goal is to equip participants with relationships, resources, and inspiration to accompany others and be accompanied by others to uphold the dignity of persons with mental illness. Cost is $25. Questions? Email Paula Berghauser at Pjbrghsr@Att.net.

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation has announced two upcoming suicide prevention trainings. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Email austin.lucas@ohiospf.org.

March 21 | Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality (CAMS) - Columbus
April 4 | Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR) - Columbus

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA), in partnership with OhioMHAS, will host Ohio’s 2025 Mental Health and Addiction Conference, "Advancing Care in Communities," on June 9-10 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus. The conference, which is expected to draw approximately 1,200 attendees, will focus on efforts related to mental health and addiction prevention, education, intervention, treatment, recovery, family supports, community engagement, and more. Sponsor and exhibitor registration is now open. Click HERE for more information. Questions? Email Shelby Embrey at sembrey@oacbha.org.

OhioPRO is currently accepting presentation proposals for the 2025 Peer Recovery Summit, which will be held on July 21-22 at the Hilton Columbus – Polaris. This year's theme is The Power of Hope: Transforming Lives & Communities. The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31. For more information, visit the OhioPRO website.