Yesterday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that LeeAnne Cornyn is moving on from her role as Director of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health to pursue another opportunity.

“I want to thank Director Cornyn for her advocacy on behalf of people with mental health and substance use disorders,” said Governor DeWine. “LeeAnne has been a champion for some of our most vulnerable citizens and has been tireless in advocating for our work building out a system of care across the state.”

In a farewell message to colleagues, Director Cornyn shared, “I entered this role much like Mike DeWine did when he was first elected Governor. I sought first to listen, to seek out many opinions and ideas, and to then chart a path forward for this agency.” She continued, “It is my hope that you feel as if your voices were heard, your opinions mattered, and your partnership was deeply appreciated. Your voice, your guidance has informed much of the work of this agency both today and into the future.”

Cornyn was appointed in December 2023 to serve as Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, now known as the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. Prior to her appointment, Cornyn served as Governor DeWine’s Deputy Chief of Staff where her responsibilities included oversight of the health, mental health, human services, education, and children’s issues policy portfolio. Cornyn also served as the Director of Cabinet Affairs, where she acted as a liaison between the Governor and his 26 state agency directors. She was the first Director of Children’s Initiatives, a position Governor DeWine created minutes after being sworn in as governor.

Thank you, Director Cornyn, for your leadership and commitment to making behavioral health services more visible, accessible, and effective.

DBH Assistant Director Tia Marcel Moretti will serve as interim director until a new director is named.

The future of behavioral healthcare in Ohio took a significant step forward on Oct. 1 as the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) officially became the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). The change, outlined in Am. Sub. House Bill 96 and signed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, the state’s operating budget for fiscal years 2026-27, reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Ohioans and aligning with national best practices.

“This change reflects a renewed commitment to the health and well-being of every Ohioan,” said Governor DeWine. “More than a new name, this represents an ongoing evolution to reduce stigma, strengthen communities, and ensure every Ohioan has a pathway to reach their full potential.”

While the agency’s name is changing, its core services, leadership, and commitment to excellence remain unchanged. As part of the rebrand, the department has also launched a new logo and website domain: DBH.ohio.gov. 

The DBH Office of Community and Family Resiliency is partnering with the Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board to host the next Hope in Ohio: Community Conversation on Oct. 21 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Adena PACCAR Medical Education Center in Chillicothe.

Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to mental health support. This free Community Conversation event is designed to create space for personal stories, expert insights, and practical resources to help break down barriers and foster a culture of openness, support, and resilience. Residents of Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike, and Ross counties are invited to join state and local behavioral healthcare leaders for a discussion on reducing stigma, raising awareness, sharing resources, and gathering feedback to guide local mental health priorities.

The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County, in partnership with Riveon Mental Health and Recovery, officially opened the Lorain County Crisis Recovery Center (LCCRC) last week. The Center, located at 6130 S. Broadway Ave. in Lorain, represents a major advancement in how Lorain County supports individuals and families during moments of mental health and addiction crisis.

The new, $18.5 million facility will operate 24/7, providing immediate, walk-in access to compassionate care. With 32 treatment beds — 16 for mental health stabilization and 16 for addiction recovery — the LCCRC will be staffed by professionals specializing in behavioral health and addiction medicine. The facility also incorporates the Living Room Model, a calm, supportive space designed to reduce stress and connect individuals quickly with care.

“This Center is a lifeline for individuals and families, offering timely support and ensuring no one faces a crisis alone,” said Michael Doud, MHARS Board Executive Director. “It is more than a building — it is a promise of hope, healing, and recovery for our community.”

The LCCRC reflects years of planning, advocacy, and collaboration among community leaders, local organizations, state and federal partners, and philanthropic supporters. The State of Ohio contributed $4.5 million in ARPA Crisis Infrastructure funding toward completion of the project. 

Several members of the DBH team traveled to Lorain County to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 25, including Chief of Staff John Annarino pictured above with Lorain MHARS Board Executive Director Michael Doud (left) and Riveon Mental Health CEO Don Schiffbauer (center).

Carolyn Givens, former Director of the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS) under Governor Bob Taft, passed away peacefully on Sept. 29, at the Cleveland Clinic.

A devoted public servant, Carolyn dedicated her career to advancing behavioral health and improving the lives of Ohioans. She began her tenure at ODADAS in 1992, serving as Medicaid Services Administrator, Executive Assistant to the Director, and Chief Policy Advisor before her appointment as Director. Throughout her career, she represented ODADAS on numerous statewide policy committees, including the Alternative Schools Committee, the Children’s Trust Fund, and Ohio Family and Children First. She was instrumental in ensuring state compliance with federal Medicaid and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant regulations, while developing innovative funding strategies to meet the treatment needs of vulnerable men, women, and families.

Beyond her service in state government, Carolyn remained a leader in behavioral health. She served as Executive Director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, CEO of the Neil Kennedy Recovery Center, and later as a consultant with the Family Recovery Center in Lisbon.

Arrangements to celebrate Carolyn’s life are pending.

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) has announced that applications are currently being accepted for the SFY 2025-26 Jerry Williams Memorial Fund
for Prevention of Older Adult Suicide. The Jerry Williams Memorial Fund was established in 2023 to honor the memory of Jerry Williams, who lost his life to suicide at age 74. The fund is dedicated to saving the lives of older adults, a group often overlooked in suicide prevention outreach activities. A total of $20,000 is available.

According to statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates are higher per capita among older adults, particularly those over 65. Historically, less attention has been paid to research and prevention efforts targeting this age group than younger populations. The Jerry Williams Memorial Fund was created to correct this oversight. The fund supports the development of creative yet practical ideas of how best to tackle stigma and reach senior adults to reduce the rising rate of suicide among them.

Eligible applicants include Ohio-based suicide prevention organizations, programs, services, and efforts targeting Ohioans 65 and older. Preference will be given to projects that can be replicated and scaled across the state. Depending on the scope of applications received, more than one project may be funded at varying levels. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31.

Questions? Email Sandy Williams at jerrywilliamsfund@gmail.com.

Future Plans, a 501(c)(3) that specializes in an intentional data-driven talent model for individual and community engagement so that individuals can be connected with in-demand industries to accelerate workforce pipelines that recover, sustain and grow communities, is seeking interns and host organizations to support its Peer Recovery Supporter (PRS) Initiative. 

Click HERE to view a flyer about internship opportunities and HERE to view a flyer about how to become a host worksite. Email Brooke Davis if you are interested in joining the initiative as a paid intern at brooked@futureplans.org. Email Brandi Hawthorne if your organization is interested in being a host worksite for interns: brandih@futureplans.org.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) recently released Pathways to Wellness: Integrating Suicide Prevention in Substance Use Disorder Treatment. This new resource provides guidance on integrating suicide prevention in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Designed for SUD treatment professionals, this document may also be useful for other behavioral and mental health clinicians. It highlights the importance, feasibility, and effectiveness of incorporating suicide risk screening and brief interventions in SUD treatment and offers a list of resources to help behavioral health professionals apply effective prevention strategies in their practice.  

The Ohio Substance Use Disorders Center of Excellence (SUD COE) at Case Western Reserve University has released a schedule of free trainings for October. Click the links below for more information and to register. Visit the SUD COE's calendar for a full schedule of upcoming trainings and events. 

Oct. 8 | Motivating Behavior Change
Oct. 8 | MAT Part 1: Contextual Foundations in Opiate Addiction and MAT
Oct. 8 | Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care: Key Concepts and Core Principles
Oct. 9 | Ethics and Boundaries for SUD Professionals
Oct. 13 | Foundations of Severe and Persistent Mental Health Disorders
Oct. 14 | Engaging People in Conversations About Change
Oct. 15 | MAT Part 2: Opiates, MAT, and the Brain
Oct. 16 | Overview of Harm Reduction for Substance Use
Oct. 20 | Responding to Resistance and Focusing on Change
Oct. 22 | MAT Part 3: Therapeutic Interventions and MAT
Oct. 22 | Right or Wrong? The Ethics of Harm Reduction
Oct. 23 | Overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for SUD
Oct. 27 | Resilience Focused Supervision
Oct. 30 | Strengthening a Person's Own Motivation and Commitment to Change

The P.E.E.R. Center has released its October schedule of training opportunities for peer supporters. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Email info@thepeercenter.org.

Oct. 14 | Beyond Boundaries: How a "Yes" Could Lead Into an Ethical Issue
Oct. 16 | Leveling Up Peer Workforce Skillsets
Oct. 29-30 | Emotional CPR Certification Training

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation will host its next Impact Academy on Oct. 9 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. The intended audience for this webinar includes past and future OneOhio grant applicants and related stakeholders, such as nonprofit organizations, behavioral and/or mental health associations, government entities, service providers, etc. This webinar will feature a 90-minute Grant Implementation Readiness presentation designed to help applicants assess whether they’re truly ready to apply for funding ahead of the next grant cycle set to launch in December. 

Riveon Mental Health and Recovery will host the Pearls of Wisdom Annual Benefit and Recognition Dinner on Oct. 23 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Cleveland – Rockside in Independence. The event includes fellowship, dinner, keynote address, live and silent auctions, and an awards presentation. World-famous TV chef Andrew Zimmern will provide keynote remarks. Zimmern is an Emmy and four-time James Beard Award winner who talks openly about his struggles with addiction and achieving lasting recovery. 

Riveon will also recognize outstanding contributions made by individuals and organizations in support of addiction recovery and mental health. The President’s Award, recognizing a company or individual who has made exceptional contributions to the mission of transforming lives impacted by mental health struggles and the disease of addiction will be presented to Joe Matuscak, Riveon Chief Marketing and Development Officer. The Community Service Award, honoring a community leader who has given time, talent, energy, service and civic support for those suffering with mental health issues and the disease of addiction, will be presented to Meaden & Moore Wealth Center and HMS Industries LLC. And the John Longlais Award, honoring a Riveon staff member, Board member or supporter in recognition of their exceptional work in the field of mental health and addiction treatment and prevention will be presented to Todd Jaros, Riveon Board of Directors Secretary and pharmacist for Discount Drug Mart.

Prevention Action Alliance will host the Your Role in Prevention Luncheon on Oct. 23 from Noon-1:30 p.m. at the Africa Event Center at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. This event brings together government, community, and business leaders from across Ohio to celebrate the incredible work happening in our state and to highlight the role prevention plays in creating healthier, more resilient communities. The Hon. Mary Bono will provide keynote remarks. 

Prevention Action Alliance in partnership with DBH will host the 2025 Ohio Prevention Conference on Dec. 10-11 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. This year's theme is "Advancing Prevention Through Integrated Approaches." Conference organizers are currently seeking exhibitors. Join prevention professionals from across Ohio, increase your organization’s visibility, and align your brand with a movement driving real impact in communities statewide. Reserve your table today and be part of the conversation shaping prevention efforts across Ohio.

Save the Date! Prevention Action Alliance has announced that it will host the virtual Coalitions Rising 2026 on Jan. 14. The theme will be, "Tools for Change | Prevention Strategies with Big Impact." This virtual training brings together coalition leaders from across the country to share the latest prevention science and workforce development strategies, strengthening their skills and supporting statewide coalition infrastructure. Registration info will be available soon.