A new Behavioral Health Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) planned for Cuyahoga County will soon help strengthen the region’s crisis continuum of care. The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County, The Centers, and Cuyahoga County recently announced plans to create a facility in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood that will support individuals experiencing a mental and/or addiction emergency. Construction is expected to begin this spring.

A first-of-its kind in Cuyahoga County, the CRC will provide accessible, short-term behavioral health care for people experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use disorder. CRCs can help reduce the need for emergency department visits, jail bookings, and divert individuals from psychiatric hospitalizations by providing a community-based, home-like alternative environment. When the CRC opens in fall 2026, The Centers will operate a comprehensive 24/7 facility that includes services such as urgent care, medication refills, de-escalation, triage, assessment, observation, treatment, coordination, linkage to services, and the management of both voluntary and involuntary clients, in addition to other services.

As proposed, the CRC will employ an estimated 200 caregivers and serve about 17,000 people. The project is made possible through the ongoing collaboration of public and non-profit partners, including a $6.8M capital award from OhioMHAS. The funding will be used to renovate the first two floors of an existing building at 2322 E. 22 St.

In observance of Black History Month, the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board has released its 2025 African American Mental Health Pioneers video series. Each video highlights the important contributions of African American Mental Health Pioneers who helped bring attention to the needs of minority and underserved communities. Click the links below to learn more about these men and women. 

Dr. Claude Steele | https://youtu.be/2ucn8vd33tY
Dr. Beverly Tatum | https://youtu.be/b9wo-tudIyQ
Dr. Harriette McAdoo | https://youtu.be/Vwqo2XvUvMs
Dr. Howard Stevenson | https://youtu.be/cEXHJ6dBv08
Dr. Joy Bradford | https://youtu.be/PWGMH1E2aWg

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation announced its final grant awards for the 2024 Regional Grant Cycle, awarding $3.4 million to seven projects, all of which fund youth-focused prevention initiatives and supports for children and families impacted by substance use disorder. These seven final grant awards are part of more than $45.4 million awarded in the 2024 Regional Grant Cycle and were selected from 1,442 funding requests totaling $581 million from organizations statewide. With all 2024 Regional Grant Cycle awards now announced, a complete list of recipients can be found at OneOhioFoundation.com/GrantAwards. The 2024 Regional Grant Cycle is just the first of several grant opportunities to come. Organizations and leaders seeking to submit applications in the future can sign-up on the Foundation’s website here to receive updates.

Courage to Caregivers has announced a new Peer Leadership Training series featuring 18 virtual training sessions focused on Ohio Certified Peer Specialists (CPRS, CYPS, and CFPS) and their Supervisors. Each workshop will provide 1.5 hours of continuing education for peer supporters. Click HERE to view a full list of training dates and topics, and register. Questions? Email kristi@couragetocaregivers.org.

BrightView Health will host a webinar on How to Help Black Americans in Recovery on Feb. 19 from noon-1:00 p.m. BrightView's Director of Operations James George will lead a discussion examining the impact of substance use disorders on Black Americans and ways to improve recovery outcomes for all patients. Attendees will earn one continuing education credit. Click HERE to learn more and to register. Questions? Email info@brightviewhealth.com.

The Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion invites Ohio's experienced behavioral health prevention professionals to join the upcoming Advanced Prevention Practice ECHO session, Developing Leaders from Within: Coaching Skills to Boost Team Success, on Feb. 21. Participants will gain insights into practical coaching techniques that boost leadership abilities, build resilience, and create a culture of trust and teamwork. Sessions are interactive and are a great place to share your successes or “workshop” your ideas with subject matter experts and colleagues. CEs for Prevention, Social Work, Health Education, and Nursing will be available. Click HERE to register.

Join the Ohio Coaching and Mentoring (OCAM) Network for an informative and engaging presentation on CADCA’S Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication Safety Toolkit. Whether used regularly or occasionally, understanding how to use OTC medications safely is essential for health and well-being. These sessions will cover key insights needed to address OTC medication misuse in your community. Developed in collaboration with experts in the field, the toolkit features resources for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, and families. Participants will receive access to all materials and have the opportunity to participate in an ongoing learning community to continue building capacity. These sessions are offered as part of the OhioMHAS SPF Rx (Strategic Prevention Framework for Prescription Drugs) grant. The training will be offered on Feb. 28 (9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and again on March 4 (6:00-9:30 p.m.). Click the links for more information and to register. 

In alignment with March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month, the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) is offering property tours at Ohio's 11 casinos and racinos. Property tours build relationships with operating venues while fostering collaboration to strengthen practices. These relationships have led to resource tabling events at all Ohio properties, and an enhanced commitment to mitigating gambling-related harm. Please note: these tours are for educational purposes only and open to Ohioans age 21 and over. The tour will include various aspects of the gaming floor. Please use discretion in attending as elements of the tour may be a trigger for those in recovery. Click HERE to watch an informational video. 

The Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association (OPPA) will host its Annual Psychiatric Update on March 1-2 at the Hilton Polaris – Columbus. This year's theme, "Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Shaping the Future of Psychiatry," celebrates OPPA's 75th anniversary. This milestone event will honor the rich history and remarkable evolution of the psychiatric profession, bringing together a vibrant community of clinicians, researchers, and learners from across the state. The meeting will feature presentations by nationally renowned speakers offering cutting-edge insights and the latest advancements in psychiatric care. Whether you are a seasoned psychiatrist, an emerging researcher, a student passionate about mental health, or a clinician in other behavioral health disciplines, the 2025 Annual Psychiatric Update will provide valuable learning experiences and networking opportunities to enhance your practice and understanding. As a highlight of the event, OPPA invites registrants to attend a special 75th Anniversary Gala on Saturday evening (March 1). This celebration will not only commemorate OPPA’s significant contributions to the field but also provide a chance to connect and reflect with colleagues in a festive atmosphere. 

The Ohio Children's Alliance will host its 49th Annual Spring Conference on March 31-April 1 at Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark. This year's conference theme is "Reboot and Rebound: Discovering Joy in Change." The conference brings together more than 800 leaders and professionals from the child/youth-serving behavioral health and social service sectors who will gather to engage, learn, and inspire. Click HERE to view an agenda and HERE for speaker information.

Ohio's School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention (SBCOE) is seeking proposals for speaker presentations and table exhibitors at the 2025 School SUCCESS Conference scheduled to be held June 23-25 in Columbus. This year's theme is, "Bounce! Building Resiliency Through Prevention." 

The conference planning committee is currently seeking presentations focused on the following areas:

• Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator Models
• Community Partnerships and Afterschool Engagements
• Family and Youth Engagement
• School-Based or Afterschool Prevention Programming
• Staff Wellness
• Stigma Reduction
• Suicide Prevention and Postvention Support
• Threat Reduction and Safety Connection to Mental Health Support in Schools

The deadline to submit a proposal and reserve table space is March 10. For more information, email Kenyetta Lee at leekl@miamioh.edu.