Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) Interim Director Tia Marcel Moretti (pictured at right) moderated a panel discussion focused on current strategies aimed at improving mental health for Ohio children with higher levels of need. Panelists explored policy implications for strengthening crisis response and care for Ohio’s youth and family members through three key components of the state’s approach — Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence), and Behavioral Health Respite Care.

Click HERE to see the full Summit agenda. 

Pictured above (l-r): Aetna OhioRISE Director of External Affairs Monica Kagey, Aetna OhioRISE Director of Regulatory and Strategic Affairs Jessica Mead, DBH Interim Director Tia Marcel Moretti, MRSS Statewide Program Administrator Tia Cokes, and Ohio Children's Alliance CEO Mark Mecum.

State and local officials gathered in Warren last week for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Trumbull County Behavioral Health Crisis Center and Sister Jean's Lighthouse, a supportive housing project. 

Situated in a renovated former warehouse, the 17,080-square-foot facility will provide 24/7 crisis intervention services and transitional housing for women and children experiencing homelessness. The center, a collaborative effort led by the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board, Coleman Health Services, and the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League, is expected to serve around 3,000 individuals each year across Trumbull, Mahoning, and surrounding counties.

The $4.36 million project was funded through a combination of sources, including $2.5 million from the Trumbull County Board, $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds and $1.26 million in capital grants from the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), and $1.1 million from the city of Warren.

“This project is more than bricks and mortar,” said April Caraway, Executive Director of the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board. “It’s about creating hope, safety, and stability for people in crisis.”

Coleman Health Services will operate the crisis center. It features private intake rooms, prescreening offices, mobile response and stabilization services, counseling, case management, pharmaceutical services, and a dedicated entrance for emergency personnel. 

“This space represents hope, stability, and new beginnings for thousands of individuals and families,” said Hattie Tracy, President and CEO of Coleman Health Services. 

Sister Jean’s Lighthouse, meanwhile, will be managed by the Urban League. It offers short-term housing to stabilize families and guide them toward permanent housing and self-sufficiency. It consists of eight fully equipped apartments — six, two-bedroom units for women with children and two, one-bedroom units for single women. The project is named in honor of Sister Mary Orsuto, a nun who served as director of a local community care center before her death in 2024. 

This week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order declaring an Adulterated Consumer Product Emergency for consumable items containing intoxicating hemp. The order requires Ohio retailers to cease the sale of all intoxicating hemp products by Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.

According to Ohio Revised Code 3715.74, the governor has the authority to declare an Adulterated Consumer Product Emergency if there is reason to believe a product has been adulterated and presents a threat to public health and safety. The order does not apply to non-intoxicating hemp products legalized by the Ohio General Assembly in 2019 and has no impact on the regulated sale of marijuana.

Clandestine chemists have created intoxicating hemp by manipulating compounds found in the legal, non-intoxicating hemp plant and creating intoxicating compounds, including delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC that are found in marijuana. The products create a high similar to marijuana, but unlike marijuana, intoxicating hemp is not regulated and is legal for anyone, including children, to purchase. Intoxicating hemp products have no quality control and are sold in a variety of stores marketed as candy, cookies, gummy candy, and other products that are attractive to youth.

"Intoxicating hemp products are known to have significant impacts on young, developing brains, yet these products are legally marketed to kids, sold to kids, and ingested by kids in Ohio," said Governor DeWine. “When voters chose to legalize marijuana, they voted for a highly regulated market that only allows sales at licensed dispensaries to those 21 and older. Intoxicating hemp completely bypasses these laws, and we must do more to keep these products away from kids.”

Last week, Governor DeWine celebrated the grand opening of Cincinnati Children's Hospital College Hill Campus' new greenspace. With funding from DBH, this project offers patients a vibrant, safe outdoor environment dedicated to supporting youth receiving inpatient and residential mental health treatment.

"What we are celebrating today is really about enhancing the quality of life for the children receiving care here," said Governor DeWine. "This is another step forward in building an entire system of care for youth facing mental health challenges. Congratulations to Cincinnati Children's, the city of Cincinnati, and all other partners who helped support this project."

Cincinnati Children's is the nation's largest provider of inpatient psychiatric care. The greenspace features an enhanced playground, horticulture area and greenhouse, splash pad, walking paths, and sports fields and courts.

Governor DeWine has invested significantly into building a system of care for adults and children including raising awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, expanding Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, and creating OhioRise.

DBH held a recognition event on Oct. 6 to honor extraordinary nurses and Therapeutic Program Workers (TPWs) from each of Ohio's six regional psychiatric hospitals. The semi-annual DAISY and ROSE Award Celebration ceremony honored 12 direct patient care professionals — six nurses and six TPWs.

DBH has been honoring nurses with the DAISY Award since 2022 and expanded the recognition ceremony in January 2024 to also honor TPWs with the Recognition of Service Excellence (ROSE) Award. Nominations for the awards were submitted from families, patients, and peers touched by the work of these extraordinary staff members.

Congratulations to our nurses recognized with the DAISY Award: Jade Permenter, RN, Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare; Ron Carter, RN, Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare; Maya Bhatia, RN, Heartland Behavioral Healthcare; Katherine Lewis, RN, Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare; Whitney Vincent, RN, Northwest Ohio Behavioral Healthcare; Brian Masterston, RN, Summit Behavioral Healthcare.

Congratulations to our TPWs recognized with the ROSE Award: Joann Wagner, Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare; Mascelline Fonjock, Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare; Andy Miley, Heartland Behavioral Healthcare; Linda Eastman, Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare; Brea Hall, Northwest Ohio Behavioral Healthcare, Ndabezinhle "Temba" Ndlovu, Summit Behavioral Healthcare.

Pictured above: (Left to right) Brea Hall, ROSE Award recipient for NOBH, hugs Jennifer Dowdy, NOBH Director of Nursing, at the ceremony; Inset photo: Kent Hess, DBH Chief of Hospital Services, speaks at the ceremony. 

Last week, Governor DeWine signed Executive Order 2025-04D to suspend the normal rulemaking process to allow the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to adopt a rule allowing expanded access to tools to prevent drug overdoses. In addition to test strips and reagent kits for fentanyl, the rule, OAC 4729-8-02, exempts tests for the following compounds from the definition of drug paraphernalia under Ohio law:

• Xylazine;
• Medetomidine;
• Benzimidazole-opioids (commonly referred to as nitazenes); and
• Benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine-related compounds.

Drug test strips and reagent kits serve as crucial tools in harm reduction efforts, allowing users to test substances for the presence of certain substances that are contributing significantly to overdose fatalities.

“Items such as test strips have been shown to reduce the risk of overdose, and these items are important in Ohio’s overall strategy to lower overdose deaths,” said Governor DeWine. “We are removing barriers for communities to access tools that prevent overdose and save lives.”

Mental Health America has released its annual State of Mental Health in America report, highlighting the latest national data and state-level rankings on mental health and well-being in the U.S. In this year's report, New York, Hawaii, and New Jersey ranked highest for mental health, while Nevada, Arizona and Alabama ranked lowest. Ohio had an overall ranking of 12. An overall ranking of 1-13 indicates lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care. Findings from the report offer critical insights to drive policy, improve care, and support people living with mental health conditions across the country. 

"This report gives us a foundation to build better strategies, advocate for smarter policies, and target resources where they are needed most to address the ongoing mental health crisis in this country,” said Mary Giliberti, J.D., interim president and CEO of Mental Health America. “By using these facts to fuel action, we can best support the individuals and communities the data represent, moving from awareness to lasting change.”

The next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The event, organized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), provides a safe, anonymous way to dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired prescription medications. To find a collection site near you, visit the DEA's website at DEATakeBack.com or use the agency's year-round drug disposal locator tool. 

Courage to Caregivers is offering 21 virtual continuing education training sessions focused on Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Specialists — CPRS, CYPS, and CFPS — and their supervisors as part of its 2025-26 Ohio Certified Peer Support Leadership Training Series. Each workshop will provide (up to) 1.5 hours of continuing education for peer supporters. Click the button below for more information, including training dates, topics, and registration links. This series is supported by grant funding from DBH.

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) has released a schedule of upcoming virtual suicide prevention trainings. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Email jason.hughes@ohiospf.org.

Oct. 20 | 1:00-2:30 p.m. | CALM Conversations
Oct. 27 | 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | First Responder QPR Instructor Training
Nov. 10 | 1:00-2:30 p.m. | QPR Training for Veterans

The Ohio Prevention Professionals Association (OPPA) is hosting the first of six regional prevention supervision retreats on Oct. 16 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Envision Partnerships in Hamilton. Registration for the retreat is open to anyone in Brown, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Hamilton, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, or Warren counties who is providing supervision of individuals who hold the RA, OCPSA, or OCPS credential. Non-OPPA members, as well as those supervisors of prevention professionals who do not hold a prevention credential themselves (e.g., CHES, LISW), are encouraged to register. Participation is free, but space is limited. Retreat dates for the other regions of Ohio will be announced later this fall. Because the retreats are not education focused, there will be no CEs provided. Contact OPPA with any questions at mail@ohiopreventionprofessionals.org.

Carve Your Own Path, Inc. is hosting an Embodied Healing: Somatic Approaches for Trauma-Informed Care training from 3:30-5:00 p.m. on Oct. 23. This interactive, in-person training offers licensed therapists a practical and trauma-informed framework for integrating somatic therapy into their clinical work with clients. Participants will explore how trauma is stored in the body and how healing must also occur through the body — not just the mind. This session, which will be facilitated by Lisa Schaefer, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, GAMB-p, has been approved for 1.5 CEUs through the Ohio CSWMFT Board. Questions? Email amanda@cyopinc.org

The Ohio Community Corrections Association (OCCA) is hosting a virtual Adult Mental Health 101 Training on Oct. 24 from 9:00 a.m.-Noon. This training will cover mental health disorders that are common in the justice-involved adult population and attempt to increase understanding and empathy for how these disorders present and impact the behavior and functioning of individuals and their support system. The training, which will be led by Talbert House Clinical Supervisor Chasity Rush, will also address common treatment approaches for the aforementioned disorders. Cost is $99. Questions? Email office@occaonline.org.

The Center for Disability Empowerment announced that it is hosting a National Disability Employment Awareness Month panel presentation on Oct. 29 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library. This event will feature of panel of six employed people with disabilities who will share their lived experiences including where they work, what they do, and how they got started. Panelists will discuss challenges and accommodations in the workplace, forming meaningful connections with peers and coworkers, and how organizations can strive to truly create an inclusive environment. Questions? Email mrandolph@disabilityempowerment.net.  

Save the date! The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) will host the 2026 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference at the Ohioan Hotel and Event Center in Lewis Center on Feb. 11-12. The conference will bring together national experts, state leaders, and local innovators in problem gambling prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery, research, administration, and safer-play. 

PGNO is now accepting proposals for 90-minute breakout sessions. The deadline to submit a proposal is Oct. 28. Questions? Email AFrantum@PGNOhio.org. Check out PGNOhio.org/CONFERENCE for all the latest information and details.