The Hamilton County MHRSB will pilot a co-responder staffing model, while the MHRSB of Lucas County will pilot a clinician-led staffing model. The AMC pilot project will begin with an eight-week readiness phase designed to support awardees and their local partners in achieving a successful project launch.

DBH has contracted with Advocates for Human Potential, (AHP) Inc., to conduct an independent evaluation of the two staffing models during the pilot period. AHP will collect, review, catalog, and analyze data and outcomes to assess whether one or both models demonstrate preliminary effectiveness and to establish a data foundation to inform future strategic direction with AMC services in Ohio. 

In November, DBH released a report summarizing key highlights from statewide Adult Mobile Crisis listening sessions held last summer. 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 insights shared through the listening sessions, combined with data and evaluations to be gathered from the pilot programs, will guide the development of a person- and community-centered, sustainable, fiscally responsible model for broad access and long-term success.

DBH, in partnership with the Ohio Institute for SUD Excellence (⁠OISE), is offering a series of free, on-demand virtual courses* designed to familiarize behavioral health professionals with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria, Fourth Edition, Adult Volume.

The training videos feature Dr. R. Corey Waller, Editor in Chief of The ASAM Criteria Fourth Edition. Dr. Waller leads participants through eight, one-hour lectures that provide a comprehensive overview of standards for placement, continued services, and transitions of care for individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions. Key changes between the Third and the Fourth Editions are highlighted throughout the series.

Available courses include: 

• Introduction to the ASAM Criteria
• The Updated Dimensions of the ASAM Criteria
• Death Dimensions
• Method Changes Framework
• Medically Managed Levels of Care 
• Clinically Managed Levels of Care 
• Standards and Co-Occurring Enhanced Care 
• Dimensional Admission Criteria and Treatment Planning 

How to Access Trainings
The courses are available through the Ohio Learn Citizen Portal. This site requires an OH|ID account to log in and track training records. To access Ohio Learn from the OH|ID Citizen Portal, navigate to https://ohid.ohio.gov/. If you do not have an OH|ID account, choose the “Create New Account” button to register. Reference the Ohio Learn Citizen Portal Job Aid for assistance. Once you have successfully logged in, search for the keyword “ASAM” to view available courses.

DBH is pleased to offer free continuing education credits for all eight courses to professionals in the following disciplines: registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and Ohio chemical dependency professionals. 

*These virtual courses are intended to introduce Ohio's behavioral health care professionals to the ASAM Criteria Fourth Edition, Adult Volume. At this time, certain DBH and state rules continue to reference the Third Edition of ASAM (e.g., OAC 5122-27-05, 5122-27-07, 5122-29-09, 5122-40-04, and 5122-40-15). DBH-certified behavioral health service providers must remain in compliance with current DBH rules until the Fourth Edition is formally adopted and applicable rules are updated.

In observance of Black History Month, the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board has released its 2026 African American Mental Health Pioneers video series. Each video highlights the important contributions of African American Mental Health Pioneers who helped bring attention to the needs of minority and underserved communities. Click the links below to learn more about these men and women: 

Dr. Thema Bryant | https://youtu.be/2Xe8wHeTUTo
Dr. Judith Joseph | https://youtu.be/07HNjG76V3A
Kier Gaines | https://youtu.be/klnshbHHSTY
Dr. Howard Stevenson | https://youtu.be/NzBHIesF_3g

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) will present Clinical Conversations: When Policy Meets Practice — Clinical Implications of Gambling Expansion on Feb. 25 from Noon-1:30 p.m. As gambling expansion, digital platforms, and sports betting continue to accelerate, providers are navigating increasingly complex intersections between client care, regulatory frameworks, industry influence, and professional ethics. In this free, virtual forum, PGNO's Katrina Arroyo, M.Ed, LPCC, LICDC-GAMB, ICGC-I, will discuss the evolving legislative, legal, and ethical issues surrounding gambling and gambling-related harm.

The County of Summit ADM Board, Tyler's Redemption Place, and SMART Recovery are parting to host a free community screening of Together: Family Recovery — a documentary for families affected by addiction — on Feb. 27 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Compass North Church in Akron. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring the film's co-producer and co-director Pam Lanhart.

DBH is seeking applicants for the March 2026 cohort of its Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Clinical Training with Consultation training. This statewide training initiative is designed to expand access to high-quality TF-CBT instruction for Ohio’s behavioral health workforce.

Through live virtual training and guided consultation, participants gain foundational knowledge and practical strategies for implementing TF-CBT in clinical settings, with the goal of supporting readiness for the TF-CBT Therapist Certification Program Knowledge-Based Test. The sessions will be facilitated by Alison Hendricks, MSW, LCSW, a nationally recognized TF-CBT trainer with more than 20 years of experience. 

Sessions will be offered on the following dates:
Session 1: March 9-10 and 19 | Noon-4:30 p.m.
Session 2: March 20 and 26-27 | Noon-4:30 p.m. 

This training is designed for Ohio-based master’s level behavioral health professionals and eligible graduate students who provide services to children and adolescents impacted by trauma. Click HERE to view additional eligibility criteria. Note: Prior to joining the live TF-CBT training sessions, participants must independently complete the TF-CBT Web 2.0 online course for $35. Proof of completion of the prerequisite course must be submitted at registration. Questions? Email register@sargad.com. 

The Wellness Institute (TWI), in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will host the Sixth Annual Suicide Safer Care Summit on March 10-11 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. This two-day virtual conference will offer practical, evidence-based guidance to help clinicians treat clients at risk of suicide. Participants will receive direct guidance from intervention developers, current updates on emerging suicide prevention challenges, and concrete steps to work with at-risk clients with greater confidence, competence, and clarity. 

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. Be sure to check out the OSPF events calendar for more upcoming trainings and events. 

March 25 | Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Conversations Training
March 26 | VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace
April 8 | VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace
April 16 | Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Conversations Training
April 27 | Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training

SMART Recovery has released a schedule of training dates for its two-day, virtual SMART Recovery Facilitator Trainings for interested recovery advocates in Ohio. Supported by grant funding from DBH, these trainings are designed to equip individuals with practical, science-based tools to support recovery in their communities. Self Management and Recovery Training (SMART) is an evidenced-informed recovery method grounded in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), that supports people with substance dependencies or problem behaviors to: build and maintain motivation; cope with urges and cravings; manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; and live a balanced life. In addition to a self-paced option, trainings will be offered from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on the following dates: March 25-26, April 21-22, May 26-27, June 16-17, July 21-22, and Aug. 18-19.

The International Community Justice Association (ICJA) is seeking presentation proposals for its 2026 Research Conference, which will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 2 in Columbus. The conference brings together practitioners, researchers, advocates, and leaders from across the community justice field to share innovative practices, emerging research, and lessons learned from the field.