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Friday, June 6, 2025
OhioMHAS Announces Release of SFY 2026 Community Funding Grant Information for Applicants (GIFA) and Allocation Guidelines
The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is pleased to release the SFY 2026 Community Funding Package. This year’s Community Funding Package is designed to provide guidance for the funding provided through the new biennial state budget, which aligns with the Governor’s priorities designed to build a more effective and efficient system of behavioral healthcare with observable returns on investments for all Ohioans. Please note that amounts are currently estimates and subject to change based on the finalization of state and federal funding amounts available to the Department. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this work. Questions? Please contact the project lead or send an email to: mh-sot-brdreports@mha.ohio.gov
OhioMHAS Recognized for Successful Implementation
of Epic EHR System
OhioMHAS was recently recognized by Epic Systems with the Good Install Award for the implementation and effective use of the Epic electronic health record (EHR) system.
The Good Install Award is an honor given to healthcare organizations that demonstrate exceptional success in implementing and utilizing Epic's EHR system. It signifies a high level of achievement in areas such as efficient clinicians, data utilization, staying current, testing builds, patient experience, knowledgeable users, operational engagement, and project management. Receiving this award shows strong collaboration across departments and a commitment to continuous improvement.
In addition, OhioMHAS received a financial credit of $341,200 can be applied to future Epic invoices.
 Pictured (l-r): Tyler Bunce, Caitlin Beha Worth, Cindy Sharp, and Missy McGarvey from the Office of Hospital Services, along with Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Kennedy, display the Epic Good Install Award and the check that shows the financial credit OhioMHAS received.
Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare Names New CEO
Royall Chambers, MHA, RHIA, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare Hospital. Chambers brings more than 28 years of experience across a broad spectrum of healthcare settings, including inpatient and outpatient mental health, long-term care, Medicare/Medicaid compliance auditing, health information management, and higher education instruction. Since joining Northcoast in 2011, Chambers has held progressive leadership roles including Director of Health Information Management, EHR Administrator, Director of Performance Improvement/Quality Assurance, Assistant CEO, and Interim CEO. Her leadership has consistently focused on driving high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence through collaboration and innovation.
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 2025 Ohio Changing Landscapes of BH Conference
After a three-year hiatus, OhioMHAS hosted its one-day, biennial conference for behavioral healthcare providers, focusing on the changing landscape of behavioral healthcare. Leadership from private psychiatric hospitals, outpatient providers, community-based providers, and ADAMH Boards gathered to discuss the changing industry and explore innovative approaches to patient care.
OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn (pictured) opened the conference with an overview of the agency’s budget priorities, including expanding crisis services, fostering resilient people and communities, enhancing quality of care, growing the behavioral health workforce, and increasing criminal justice and recovery services.
Other presenters included representatives from the OhioMHAS Offices of Hospital Services and Forensic Operations; Treatment Services; Community Services; Criminal Justice; and Licensure and Certification, who provided updates on a variety of topics, including:
- Creating new pathways for justice-involved individuals;
- Implementing alternative treatment approaches for patients with dual diagnoses;
- Ensuring our regional psychiatric hospitals remain responsive to community needs and changes;
- Enhancing safety on inpatient psychiatric units, and
- Peer support and engagement.
 Newly Constructed Franklin County Crisis Care Center Featured in National 988 Crisis Jam Episode
This week, the newly built Franklin County Crisis Care Center played host to the national 988 Crisis Jam, a dynamic learning initiative designed to enhance the effectiveness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and broader mental health crisis response systems. Hosted by the Crisis Now Learning Community, the Crisis Jam series fosters collaboration among mental health professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to share insights, best practices, and innovative solutions for crisis care.
The Franklin County Crisis Care Center, managed by the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board of Franklin County, is a comprehensive facility designed to provide immediate, compassionate care for adults experiencing mental health or addiction crises. This Crisis Jam episode highlighted the services the center will provide, and featured discussions with many partners including Franklin County ADAMH Board staff, first-responders, and OhioMHAS 988 Administrator Doug Jackson. Scheduled to open in Summer 2025, the center aims to offer a centralized, accessible alternative to emergency rooms and traditional psychiatric facilities.
Ohio can be proud of being featured in the Crisis Jam and exemplifying our local and state approach to implementing crisis services to provide someone experiencing a mental health crisis with someone to call (988), someone to respond (Mobile Crisis Services), and somewhere safe to go (Crisis Centers), in addition to supports needed to return to and thrive in the community. This episode was livestreamed, but is also archived for on-demand viewing HERE.
Pictured above (l-r): OhioMHAS 988 Administrator Doug Jackson, Jonathan Thomas, ADAMH Board of Franklin County, and David Covington – Recovery Innovations, Inc.
SAMHSA Publishes Guidance on Benzodiazepine Use
in Older Adults
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a Dear Colleague Letter offering guidance on benzodiazepine (BZD) use in older adults. Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety and insomnia, but older adults face higher risks of adverse events from long-term use, including falls, cognitive decline, and drug interactions. The letter highlights the public health importance of reducing long-term benzodiazepine use among older adults and promotes patient-centered, evidence-informed strategies for evaluating ongoing BZD use.
CDC Launches New Mental Health Data Channel
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC has launched a new Public Health Data Channel offering a comprehensive look at mental health trends among U.S. youth and adults. Designed for public health professionals, the tool aggregates national and state-level data to inform strategies that improve mental well-being. Key findings include that 1 in 3 high school students report poor mental health, and 1 in 5 adults have been diagnosed with depression — yet 82% of adults say they receive needed emotional support.
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 Cultivating Emotional Intelligence for Leaders Course
The Ohio Statewide Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Collaborative is offering service providers an opportunity to enroll in a free Cultivating Emotional Intelligence for Leaders Course designed to help develop leadership skills. The training, which consists of two, four-hour Zoom sessions presented by Silver Linings International, is designed for leaders who want to: enhance self-awareness and self-regulation; strengthen social awareness and relationship management; build resilience in high-stakes environments; support trauma-informed supervision and leadership; and improve client care through staff support and retention. For more information, including available training dates and registration, click the button below.
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Ohio SUD COE June Trainings
PGNO Family Counseling Case Presentation — June 10
The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) will present a free, virtual Family Counseling Case Presentation on June 10 from noon-1:00 p.m. Nan Franks, MA, LPCC, LICDC-CS- GAMB will present on the Martinez family's case which illustrates the systemic impact of problem gambling and the efficacy of integrating cognitive-behavioral and family systems interventions.
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Faith-Based Prevention Trainings (Dayton and Columbus)
PreventionFIRST! has announced two trainings in June to help faith leaders build the capacity of their congregations to understand behavioral health prevention. Tracy Johnson of TTJ, LLC., who is a national behavioral health prevention and faith engagement trainer with extensive experience in Ohio, will lead sessions for the faith community to learn about stigma related to behavioral health, how to seek help, and ways to build prevention capacity within congregations. PreventionFIRST! will discuss and distribute Building Prevention With Faith toolkits to each participant and guide attendees through funding opportunities to receive stipends to carry out the toolkit in their place of faith. Cost is $35. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Call 513.751.8000 or email admin@prevention-first.org.
June 10 | Marriott at The University of Dayton | Register
June 17 | Embassy Suites at Columbus Airport | Register
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Motivational Interviewing with Resistant Clients — June 18
The Ohio Community Corrections Association will host a virtual Motivational Interviewing with Resistant Clients: Overcoming Barriers and Working Together training on June 18 from 9:00 a.m.-noon. This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of the use of motivational interviewing (MI) specifically with resistant or uncooperative clients. Cost is $99. Questions? Call Gloria Hampton at 614.202.0870 or email office@occaonline.org.
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Sustaining Impact: Best Practices for Budgeting — June 20
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, Sustaining Impact: Best Practices for Budgeting, on June 20. This session provides resources and best practices about budgeting for health promotion and prevention programs, including strategies to optimize funding for maximum impact. Additionally, speakers will discuss current funding resources available for prevention programs, providing practical guidance to help you build and maintain a successful prevention budget. 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.
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2025 Addiction Studies Institute — June 25-27
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will host the 2025 Addiction Studies Institute on June 25-27 at The Ohio State University Fawcett Center. This year’s conference is June 25 and 26 hybrid (virtual or in-person) and June 27 (virtual-only). The ASI conference is one of the longest running and premier conferences in the nation that brings together substance use disorder and addiction studies professionals. The deadline to register is June 22.
Attendee and Sponsor Registration for 2025 Ohio Peer Recovery Summit – July 21-22 Remains Open
(Conference Hotel Is Now Sold Out. But Additional Rooms Available Nearby)
Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO), in partnership with OhioMHAS, will host the 2025 Peer Recovery Summit The Power of Hope: Transforming Lives & Communities on July 21-22 at the Hilton Columbus - Polaris. With nearly 600 attendees, the Summit provides a dedicated space for connection, growth, and learning — all centered around recovery and the advancement of peer recovery support in Ohio. Register HERE to attend the Summit. If you’re interested in sponsoring, OhioPRO is still accepting sponsors of all levels. Summit Sponsorship registration can be found HERE. Questions? Please email OhioPRO Executive Director Michael J. Krause at mkrause@ohio-pro.com.
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2025 National Prevention Network Conference — Aug. 11-13
The 2025 NASADAD National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference will be held Aug. 11-13 at the Grand Hyatt Washington, D.C. The NPN Conference highlights the latest research in the substance use prevention field and provides a forum for prevention professionals, coalition leaders, researchers, and federal partners to share research, best practices, and evaluation results for the purpose of integrating research into practice. This year’s theme is "Substance Use Prevention Across the Lifespan: Creating a Monumental Impact." Regular registration is now open through July 21.
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2025 Ohio Prevention Conference — Oct. 9 and Nov. 6 (Virtual)
and Dec. 10-11 (In-Person)
Register today to attend the 2025 Ohio Prevention Conference hosted by Prevention Action Alliance with support from OhioMHAS. The conference offers a three-part experience exploring “Advancing Prevention Through Integrated Approaches.” Join us for free, virtual pre-conference sessions on Oct. 9 and Nov. 6, and an in-person conference on Dec. 10–11 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. Cost is $150, which includes meals. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, network, and strengthen prevention efforts across Ohio.
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Call for Workshop Proposals
The conference planning committee invites professionals and organizations to submit proposals for the in-person 2025 Ohio Prevention Conference on Dec. 10–11. Proposals should align with the interests of prevention professionals, educators, health providers, and community leaders, focusing on integrated approaches that strengthen communities, address root causes, and improve outcomes. Planners welcome sessions featuring best practices, real-world examples, and innovative solutions. The deadline to submit a workshop proposal is 5:00 p.m. on June 26.
 Case Western opens $60M mental health institute in Cleveland
Cleveland.com, June 5, 2025
A recovery center uses pickleball to treat mental illness. They say it's working.
WCPO-TV, June 5, 2025
Grab your own take-home Naloxone kit with Montgomery County ADAMHS
WDTN-TV, June 5, 2025
Column: My company invests in employee mental health. It pays off. Ohio needs study.
Columbus Dispatch, June 4, 2025
Ohio launches new license plate featuring suicide prevention hotline
WCPO-TV, June 4, 2025
CIT: Law enforcement officers, professionals graduate program
The Marietta Times, June 4, 2025
AI model maps brain dynamics to boost mental health diagnosis
Neuroscience News, June 4, 2025
Nonprofit donates benches to schools to raise awareness for suicide prevention
WTOL-TV, June 3, 2025
Trumbull County Children Services receives Ohio START certification
WFMJ-TV, June 3, 2025
Meridian HealthCare secures $1M grant for expansion, renovation
Youngstown Business Journal, June 3, 2025
New guide: Working with pediatricians and PCPs in the assessment of children's MH
Psychiatric Times, June 3, 2025
Nitrous oxide use among Tri-State teens raises major concerns
WCPO-TV, June 2, 2025
NAMI Mental Health Conference offers lessons in breaking the stigma of aging
BG Independent, June 2, 2025
MHRSB tells us more about their online screening process
WLIO-TV, June 2, 2025
New monthly drug trend meetings in Cincinnati aim to combat addiction crisis effectively
WCPO-TV, June 2, 2025
Lakeland Community College earns Campus-Community award for Reach Out app
The News-Herald, May 31, 2025
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