The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is now “Instagram official!” The Office of Communications and Marketing recently launched this new social media channel to reach the general public, share information on important services, and highlight the statewide work of OhioMHAS. Like, share, and follow @ohiomhas to spread the word about our agency and our work to end suffering from mental illness, substance use disorders, and problem gambling for all Ohioans.

The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has extended the application deadline for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals to 11:59 p.m. on April 1. The program aims to enhance community-based experiential training for students preparing to become mental health workers, peer support specialists, and other behavioral health paraprofessionals. A special focus is placed on the knowledge and understanding of the specific concerns of children, adolescents, and young adults who have experienced trauma and are at risk for behavioral health disorders. HRSA will award approximately $10.9 million to up to 29 awardees over a period of four years. Eligible applicants include: faith-based and community-based organizations; hospitals; HRSA-funded health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); public and private institutions of higher education; rural health clinics; state; city, county; township; and special district governments, state-licensed mental health nonprofit and for-profit organizations; and tribal governments and tribal organizations.

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation will hold its next virtual Impact Academy on April 2 from 2:00-3:15 p.m. Presenters will introduce a Sustainability Framework designed to help organizations strengthen their capacity to combat addiction and save lives. This interactive session will explore the eight key domains that influence program sustainability, providing valuable insights on how organizations can enhance their long-term impact. Attendees will also learn how to leverage the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT), a free resource that helps organizations evaluate their programs and identify areas for improvement. This session is ideal for past and future OneOhio grant applicants and stakeholders involved in addiction recovery. Questions? Email Info@OneOhioFoundation.com.

Time is running out to register for the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) Gambling Disorder Stages Training Series. The series kicks off on April 9 and includes three expert-led courses on Ohio’s gambling service support system and treatment strategies. Completing all three provides the 30 hours needed to become qualified in treating gambling disorder. Note: Stage I is required before taking Stage II and III. All sessions are virtual. Click the links below for more information and to register.

April 9-11 | Stage I: Gambling, Problem Gambling, and Ohio's Service System
May 7-9 | Stage II: Applications and Approaches in Treating Gambling Disorder
May 29-30 | Stage III: The Roles of Family and Finances in Treating Gambling Disorder

Prevention Action Alliance (PAA), with support from OhioMHAS, will host A Seat at the Table: Advocacy and Prevention Networking on April 15 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Ohio Statehouse. This event provides a valuable opportunity for preventionists and state elected officials, along with their staff, to connect, exchange insights, and hear from inspiring speakers on shaping policies that strengthen community health and well-being. PAA will provide bus transportation from its office to the Statehouse on the morning of the event. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) will host the Fourth Annual Recover Out Loud luncheon on April 16 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium African Events Center in Powell. OCAAR will celebrate champions in recovery by honoring its national and state award winners. Keynote remarks will be delivered by Jeffrey D. Korzenik, author of Untapped Talent: How Second Chance Hiring Works for Your Business and the Community. Questions? Email Molly O'Neill at moneill@oca-ohio.org.

The Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion invites Ohio's experienced behavioral health prevention professionals to join its upcoming Advanced Prevention Practice ECHO session, Empowering Conversations: Practical Skills for Addressing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health, on April 18. This session equips prevention specialists with practical tools and strategies to facilitate open discussions to help break down stigma, foster support, and enhance their impact in addressing these essential topics within the community. 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.

Learn how Sources of Strength programs are thriving in Ohio during a free, virtual conference on April 23 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Keynote and select breakout sessions will be led by members of the Sources of Strength national team, including a 9:00 a.m. primer for those who need an introduction to Sources. Additional sessions will be led by Sources of Strength Ohio, as well as local leaders.   

Featured topics include: 
•  The Sources of Strength Secondary Program as a violence prevention program 
•  Strategies to build staff wellness through Sources of Strength
•  HB 123: youth-led solutions to engage students and meet legislative requirements  
•  Taking a peek at the new Elementary Curricula for grades 3-5  
•  Sources in Appalachian Ohio 
•  Sustainable funding options  

The Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network, with support from OhioMHAS, will host the 2025 We Are Change Rally on May 2 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Columbus Commons. This year's theme is "Empowering Growth: Youth on the Move." More than 1,000 youth are expected to converge in Columbus to highlight the inspiring, impactful work happening in communities throughout the state. Travel stipends are available to help cover the cost of travel to the rally. Apply HERE. 

The Ohio Program for Campus Safety and Mental Health (OPCSMH) will host its 7th Biennial Conference on May 15 at the OCLC Conference Center in Dublin. This year's theme is "The Evolving Landscape of Campus Behavioral Health." Attendees will learn to identify how colleges and universities can collaborate with the campus community to leverage the promotion of student safety and well-being; mental health awareness and campus suicide prevention efforts; encourage students, faculty, staff, and administration to reconsider practices and strategies to improve access to behavioral health services on campus; and learn new best practices, resources, and help-seeking options that target suicide prevention for all campus-community student populations. Questions? Email opcsmh@neomed.edu.

Youth to Youth International will host its 2025 Summer Conference on July 9-12 at Ohio Wesleyan University. Participants will leave with new skills, a deeper personal commitment to their positive decision-making, and a strengthened ability to create change within their own schools and communities. Featuring expert speakers, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities focused on prevention strategies for youth, this conference will be full of creative new ways for youth and adults to work together in their communities. Thanks to funding support from OhioMHAS, the registration fee has been significantly reduced for Ohio students going into grades 9-12 (2025-2026 school year) and their adult allies. Questions? Email Julia Hall at jhall@compdrug.org. 

Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO) is hosting the 2025 Peer Recovery Summit on July 21-22 at the Hilton Columbus-Polaris. This year's theme is "The Power of Hope: Transforming Lives and Communities." With an expected attendance of nearly 600 individuals, the Summit provides a dedicated space for networking, growth, and learning — all of which contribute to the advancement of peer support in Ohio. Sponsorship registration is now open. Questions? Please contact OhioPRO Executive Director Michael J. Krause at mkrause@ohio-pro.com.

The On the Front Lines Community Alliance will host the 2025 Community Catalyst Conference on Sept. 12 at the Life Learning Center in Covington, Ky. This conference, which is designed by and for recovery professionals with lived experience, brings together experts, advocates, and allies to equip recovery professionals with ongoing development, support, and connection. This year's theme is "Rising Above Challenges Through Shared Experience." Cost is $45. Click HERE for more details, sponsorship opportunities, or to submit a presentation proposal. The deadline to submit a proposal is June 27.