This week, Governor Mike DeWine announced his nomination of Tia Marcel Moretti to serve as Director of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).

Moretti, who has been leading the agency as interim director, brings more than 25 years of experience working alongside communities to strengthen mental health and addiction services. She previously served in Governor’s office as Deputy Director of RecoveryOhio, where she helped advance statewide efforts focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery. 

Moretti said she is honored by the Governor's nomination and thankful for the opportunity to continue serving Ohioans.

"I am truly humbled by the Governor's nomination and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving alongside the dedicated and passionate team at DBH. Together, we will keep working to ensure every Ohioan has the support they need to be well, get well, and stay well." 

Her career spans public service and the private sector, including roles as a licensed social worker and Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant. Moretti has also served as founder and CEO of the Ohio Institute for Substance Use Disorder Excellence and as Associate Vice President of Behavioral Health Integration at CareSource.

As director, Moretti will continue to guide DBH's work to build a strong, accessible behavioral health system, one that supports Ohioans at every stage of life. 

This holiday season, the DBH Office of Community and Family Resiliency (OCFR) came together to adopt a family through Community for New Direction, a Columbus-based organization dedicated to empowering individuals to be the force for change in themselves, their families and their communities. Through this effort. OCFR staff donated essential items and gifts to help brighten the season for a local family.  

The Ohio State University is conducting a new survey that seeks to explore Ohio youth sport coaches’ perspectives on their training needs, interests, and coaching practices. This is the second wave of an initial survey sent out in 2022 to see how perceptions of coaching have changed over time. The survey is open to any Ohio coach over age 18 who works with young children or adolescents in schools, community programs, developmental leagues, or competitive clubs. Participant insights will help improve training, support, and resources for coaches across the state. The online survey will take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Click the button below to participate. 

Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) is seeking applicants for its 3rd Ohio Recovery Leadership Institute cohort. The cohort, which is open to individuals in recovery from substance use disorder, consists of five monthly workshops, beginning Feb. 27, 2026, and ending June 26, 2026. Twenty applicants will be selected for participation. Stipends will be provided to assist with travel. The deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2026. Questions? Email Michael King at michael@communitiesproject.org.

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) is hosting two free, virtual trainings in January. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Email events@pgnohio.org. 

Jan. 6 | Foundations: Building Strong Teams
Jan. 13 | Case Presentation: Challenges with Complex Cases and Specialized Services

Carve Your Own Path, Inc. is hosting a Tuning the Nervous System: Clinical Applications of Sound Therapy in Mental Health Practice workshop on Jan. 8 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. This training will provide clinicians with an integrative understanding of how sound can regulate the nervous system, support trauma processing, and deepen therapeutic presence. Participants will explore the science of vibration, frequency, resonance, entrainment, and the human biofield; examine ethical and culturally aware implementation; and learn practical sound-based interventions they can safely incorporate into sessions. Questions? Email Amanda@cyopinc.org. 

Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service is launching a new professional development opportunity in January 2026 that offers online learning with CEUs at no cost. The Workplace Behavioral Wellness Promotion ProjectECHO series will take place every month on the second Wednesday from Noon-1:00 p.m. and is for professionals interested in fostering healthier workplace cultures, human resource professionals, and employee wellness leaders. This five-session learning series is designed to help organizational leaders strengthen employee well-being, enhance retention, and promote long-term organizational success.

The first session, The Retention Imperative: Strategies to Support Workplace Behavioral Wellness, will be held on Jan. 14. This session will explore how a strong behavioral wellness culture directly influences retention, productivity, and overall organizational stability. The discussion highlights leadership behaviors and communication practices that promote healthy conflict, psychological safety, and team trust. Free continuing education credits are available for Ohio Prevention Professionals, Peer Recovery Supporters, Social Workers, and Counselors, Health Educators, SHRM, PHR, and SPHR. 

PGNO will host the 2026 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference on Feb. 11-12 at the Ohioan Hotel and Event Center in Lewis Center. The conference unites more than 300 national experts, state leaders, and local innovators in problem gambling prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery, research, administration, and safer-play. Presentations are designed for professionals who work in problem gambling prevention and treatment, as well as health care providers interested in how behaviors like gambling, substance use, and mental health issues are interconnected. Click HERE to view the agenda, HERE to learn more about sponsorship and exhibiting, HERE for hotel information, and HERE for recovery scholarship information. Questions? Email Events@PGNOhio.org.

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is offering a free, eight-session ECHO series for Ohio therapists and clinicians. This live, virtual training is for counselors, psychologists, and social workers who want to learn practical strategies for providing therapy to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. The first ECHO, "Ethical Practices," session will take place on Feb. 23, 2026. 

Save the date! Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) will host the 2026 Ohio Recovery Housing Annual Conference on April 14-15 at the Hilton Columbus – Polaris. Registration opens in January. Recovery housing operators, individuals in recovery, treatment providers, and policymakers are invited to gather to learn best practices, network, and gain information about innovative programs and services that can benefit residents of recovery housing. Conference planners are currently seeking sponsors. Click HERE to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. 

On Friday, May 15, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) will bring together faith leaders, mental health professionals, and community advocates for the Interfaith Conference on Suicide Prevention. This statewide gathering, themed "Building Hope Through Faith and Community," will focus on advancing suicide prevention efforts within Ohio communities through faith-centered dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning. More details will be available soon.