Participants in the pilot initiative were honored for successfully completing the program and received commemorative plaques in recognition of their commitment to strengthening prevention services across Ohio. During the celebration, Board staff also shared reflections on what they learned throughout the experience and how they plan to apply those lessons moving forward.

Throughout the initiative, participants engaged in six learning community sessions, monthly individualized coaching sessions, and completed an inventory and gap analysis of their currently contracted prevention services. This work gave Boards the opportunity to strengthen their prevention infrastructure while deepening staff expertise.

The result is the delivery of safer, smarter, and more impactful prevention services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and communities through effective, well-monitored initiatives.

Congratulations to all participating Boards on completing this inaugural cohort and demonstrating an outstanding commitment to prevention excellence:

• Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County
• Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board of Franklin County
• Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board
• Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board
• Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board
• Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board
• Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board
• Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board
• Preble County Mental Health and Recovery Board
• Stark County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
• The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County
• Tri-County ADAMHS Board serving Mercer, Van Wert, and Paulding Counties

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) is accepting proposals from middle, junior high, and high school students leading evidence-based mental health or suicide prevention initiatives. Up to 10 youth-led programs across Ohio will receive $500-$1,000 in funding to implement their projects between March and June 2026. OSPF encourages adults who work with youth, including teachers, school counselors, and program advisors, to share this opportunity with students in their schools and communities. Proposals can be connected to existing programs such as Sources of Strength or Be Present Ohio, or entirely new youth-led initiatives. The deadline to submit a proposal is Feb. 27.

Questions? Email Mamta Bajgain at Mamta.Bajgain@OhioSPF.org. Funding and support for these grants come from OSPF and DBH. 

The Ohio Department of Veteran Services (ODVS), in partnership with The Ohio State University and Ohio veteran researchers, is seeking military-connected community members who reside in Ohio to participate in a survey to help improve services for Ohio's military community.

The following individuals are encouraged to participate in the 2026 Ohio Military-Connected Community Assessment:

• All military-connected Ohioans, including:
• Ohio National Guard
• Active Duty
• Reserve Component
• Veterans
• ROTC
• Military spouses/dependents/family members/caregivers

Your feedback is valuable and your perspectives and experiences will be used to help improve services and supports for Ohio's military-connected community members.

Those who complete the survey will be offered an opportunity to receive at $25 gift card in appreciation of sharing their perspectives. Please note that the gift cards are available in a limited quantity and may not be able to be offered to everyone who completes the survey.

For questions about the survey, please contact the OSU Research Lead at hibler.10@osu.edu.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) recently released an updated Suicide Screening and Assessment fact sheet. Designed to help health care systems and community organizations strengthen their prevention efforts through timely identification and response, this eight-page resource explains the key differences between suicide screening and assessment and how they can be integrated into systems of care. For more guidance on conducting effective suicide risk assessment, check out SPRC's toolkit.

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF), in partnership with the National Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (NSPAN) and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), will present Exploring the Intersection of AI and Suicide Prevention on March 4 at 1:00 p.m. This virtual discussion will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) intersects with suicide prevention. National experts will dive into why it’s essential to educate ourselves and understand this complex, evolving issue.

Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC) Inc. has released a schedule of upcoming trainings. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Email shenry@maccinc.net. Click HERE to view a full training and event calendar.

March 5 | Glow From Within: Redefining Beauty, Power, and Purpose – Women’s Workshop
March 17 | Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout for Social Workers and Counselors March 24 | Adolescents and Substance Use and Prevention
April 1 | Effective Communication & Connection: The C.A.R.E. Method
April 28 | FASD 101: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, The Basics
May 12 | Before the Crisis: Prevention that Actually Works

PreventionFIRST! and DBH have announced a series of free, Faith-Based Capacity Building webinars. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Email jjacobs@prevention-first.org or call 513.751.8000, ext. 19.  

Upcoming sessions include:

March 6 | Exploring Problem Gambling Through a Faith-Based Lens
March 20 | Sustainability Planning for Faith-Based Organizations
May 1 | Breaking Barriers and Building Trust: Mental Health in the Community
June 5 | Engaging the Faith Community in Prevention

OhioPRO is accepting presentation proposals for the 2026 Peer Recovery Summit, which will take place on July 8-9 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. The theme this year is "Connection Creates Recovery: Healing Happens Together." OhioPRO will consider any and all proposals on topics related to peer recovery and recovery supports. Sessions should be relevant to all levels of learners. The deadline for presentation proposal submission is March 6. Questions? Email Rayne Kilviir, OhioPRO Administrative Marketing Coordinator, at rkilviir@ohio-pro.com.

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 Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence is seeking proposals for speaker presentations and table exhibitors for the 2026 Ohio School SUCCESS Conference, which will be held in-person on June 10-11 at Eversole Run Middle School in Plain City. This year's theme is "Stronger Together: Cultivating Responsive School Communities." The conference planning committee is seeking presentations that focus on Student Assistance Program (SAP) models, behavioral health and wellness coordinator models, youth mental health and substance abuse, systems-level work in school-based mental health, individually relevant trauma-informed care, and staff wellness and workforce resilience.

The deadline to submit proposals and reserve exhibition space is March 19. Click HERE to submit a workshop proposal and HERE to reserve exhibition space. For more information, email Cricket Meehan at cricket.meehan@miamioh.edu. 

The Ohio chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Ohio) will host its 2026 State Conference on April 27-28 at the Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark. This annual conference brings together advocates, professionals, families, and individuals with lived experience. In addition to policy conversations, the conference will feature interactive workshops and breakout sessions, networking with statewide partners, Alliance Day programming focused on affiliate strengthening and nonprofit leadership, and NAMI Ohio's annual statewide meeting and awards ceremony. Click HERE to view the draft agenda.