In keeping with its commitment to listening before acting, DBH is pleased to announce the release of a new report summarizing key highlights from this summer's statewide Adult Mobile Crisis listening sessions. The report captures the voices, insights, and experiences of hundreds of Ohioans — including county behavioral health boards, first responders, hospitals, providers and associations, and individuals with lived experience -- who joined the Department between July and September for nearly 30 listening sessions across the state.

The report includes participant feedback on financing and staffing structures, as well as the barriers to scaling and sustaining services. Several common themes emerged, including:

• The importance ongoing collaboration across the crisis-care system during pilot       implementation and evaluation;
• The need for a clear, statewide definition of adult mobile crisis services;
• The inclusion of peer supporters and law enforcement in response teams;
• The establishment of sustainable funding and workforce supports; and
• Improved interoperability between 988, 911, and local systems.

The insights shared through these listening sessions, combined with data and evaluations gathered from the pilot phase, will guide the development of a person- and community-centered, sustainable, fiscally responsible model for broad access and long-term success.

A new symbol of hope and healing opened its doors in mid-Ohio this week, as state and local partners gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Danielle’s Lighthouse, a 10-bed supportive housing and recovery site located at 87 E. First St. in Mansfield.

The Mental Health and Recovery Services of Richland County played a leading role in the project’s planning, design, and development, ensuring the facility would meet community needs for supportive housing and recovery services. The Board selected Coleman Health Services to manage and operate Danielle’s Lighthouse, leveraging Coleman’s experience in providing person-centered mental health care and recovery supports across Ohio.

“This collaboration shows what can happen when a community comes together,” said Hattie Tracy, president and CEO of Coleman Health Services. “Danielle’s Lighthouse is not only a home but a message—that recovery, independence, and a positive destiny are always possible.”

The project honors the memory of Danielle “Dani” Leedy, whose life and legacy inspired her parents, Donna and Jeff Heck, to found the nonprofit 33 Forever — an organization created to honor Dani’s life and her longtime passions. In tribute to Dani’s life, 33 Forever is donating a custom mural and artwork installation to Danielle’s Lighthouse, creating a space that radiates compassion, resilience, and connection.

“We are deeply grateful to Donna and Jeff for their generosity and for allowing Danielle’s spirit to shine through this project,” said Sherry Branham-Fonner, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Richland County. “This home will stand as a beacon of safety and hope for those rebuilding their lives.”

Danielle’s Lighthouse will provide short-term transitional housing for individuals stepping down from a state hospital, local emergency department, or crisis stabilization unit. The facility will be staffed by qualified mental health specialists and certified peer support staff to help facilitate continued stabilization while promoting increased independence. Residents will go off-site for counseling and medical services. Longer term transitional housing will be available to help residents develop independent living skills with a goal of transitioning to an independent living environment within 18 months.

DBH contributed $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help guide the project to completion. 

To support the growing need for behavioral health treatment in central Ohio, St. Vincent Family Services (SVFS) has completed nearly $900,000 in renovations to its lobby and Intake Department, increasing capacity and creating a more efficient and welcoming experience for families seeking services. The enhancements further expand access to essential services, including: same-day access for behavioral health assessments; outpatient family therapy; and the St. Vincent Prep Academy, a charter school that combines academics with behavioral health treatment for children. 

All elements of the renovation were made possible through the support of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, which invested $665,000, and DBH, which invested $225,000.

Coinciding with the redesigned lobby and restructured Intake Department, The Ohio State University Total Health Care Center at St. Vincent Family Services is expanding primary care access beyond SVFS staff and current clients — opening its doors to the broader community for the first time. Through its partnership with The Ohio State University College of Nursing, the Total Health Care Center at St. Vincent Family Services is one of three Columbus locations. Read more. 

The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) announced the availability of $3.4 million in grant funding to help local law enforcement agencies implement new violent crime reduction strategies in their communities. This year’s Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program will prioritize funds for communities with crime rates higher than the state average for violent crime or domestic violence. Also new this year will be options to pursue cold cases using forensic genetic genealogy or to prevent, reduce, or eliminate violent crimes associated with drug trafficking and/or firearms by working with multijurisdictional law enforcement task forces. Agencies seeking funding must use promising or proven crime reduction strategies.

The Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) is available for advanced viewing via the OCJS website for two weeks. A bidders training for interested applicants is scheduled during this preview period for Nov. 24. The grant system will not be opened for application entries until Dec. 1. Any interested applicants should plan to attend the training for detailed understanding of the changes to the RFP. The application deadline is Jan. 8, 2026 at 5 p.m.

The Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Foundation (OPPF) is accepting entries for its 2026 Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Annual OPPF Research Awards. Click HERE for more information about the awards, including selection criteria and submission guidelines. Winners will be announced at the OPPA Annual Psychiatric Update, which will be held on April 18-19, 2026, at the Hilton Polaris — Columbus. The deadline to submit an entry is Dec. 31, 2025. Questions? Email Michelle Mazza at oppf@oppa.org. 

The Ohio Prevention Professionals Association (OPPA) is hosting the annual OPPA Youth Prevention Showcase on Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 5:00-6:15 p.m. This virtual event celebrates youth-led prevention in Ohio through spotlights of three prevention interventions planned and implemented by Ohio youth-led groups. The event also will also include the presentation of the 2025 OPPA Youth Prevention Awards. The Showcase is open to adults and teens who are engaged in and/or support youth-led prevention. Questions? Email mail@ohiopreventionprofessionals.org.

Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) is excited to offer Ohio's Recovery Peer Supporter Booster Program, a seven-module training series that empowers certified peer recovery supporters to elevate their work. The trainings will be offered over two days on Dec. 4-5. Each day costs $5 and includes 1 CEU per course. Day One (Dec. 4) courses include: motivational interviewing, ethics and boundaries, professionalism in peer support, and health equity in peer support. Day Two (Dec. 5) courses include: trauma-informed peer support, repairing the financial wreckage, and self-care for peer supporters. Questions? Email ADVOCATE@oca-ohio.org.

Prevention Action Alliance, with support from DBH, will host the 2025 Ohio Prevention Conference on Dec. 11-12 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. This year's theme is "Advancing Prevention Through Integrated Approaches." The conference unites behavioral health professionals, advocates, and community leaders from across the state to learn integrated strategies to gain insights that strengthen Ohio’s prevention network. Click HERE to view the full conference agenda. Cost is $150 (includes breakfast and lunch both days).

Scholarships Available
A limited number of scholarships are available. For eligibility details and more information, email Hannah Cox at hcox@preventionactionalliance.org.

The deadline to register for the conference is 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 28.

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) will present Clinical Conversations: Digital Currency and Gambling on Dec. 10 from Noon-1:30 p.m. This virtual learning opportunity will focus on how crypto trading, betting with digital currencies, and emerging online platforms intersect with gambling disorder and addictive behaviors. Questions? Email aburke@pgnohio.org. 

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will host the 2026 Addiction Studies Institute on Aug. 5-7. For the past 35 years, ASI has provided clinicians, substance-use disorder advocates, and professionals with the most current best practices and insights that help attendees expand their skills, gain current knowledge to provide quality care, and learn new and developing in-the-field practices and methodologies. The conference planning committee is seeking presenters with expertise related to substance use disorders, trauma-informed care, ethics, assessment, treatment, and more. Questions? Email Tami Buhrts at Tamara.Buhrts@osumc.edu. The deadline to submit a workshop proposal is Jan. 25, 2026.