To accelerate this work, DBH has awarded a $1 million grant to the Ohio University’s Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Service to coordinate and evaluate the Ohio Coalition Institute (OCI).

The Institute will build a sustainable and collaborative infrastructure that elevates coalitions through enhanced training, technical assistance, and coaching. It will also help launch new coalitions in communities that currently lack suicide prevention, problem gambling prevention, and drug-free coalition efforts — ensuring more Ohioans benefit from proven, community-driven strategies.

More details on OCI resources and opportunities to engage will be shared in future editions of BH Bulletin and through the OCI’s first newsletter, launching this month. The newsletter will provide resources, upcoming events, and funding opportunities to keep you informed, inspired, and connected. Click HERE to subscribe to the OCI newsletter.

For more information, contact Michelle Vargas, Prevention Program Specialist with the Office of Community and Family Resiliency at Michelle.Vargas@dbh.ohio.gov.

With funding support from DBH, the Regional Behavioral Health Workforce Coalitions (RBHWC) and the Mental Health and Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC) have partnered to launch the Behavioral Health Education and Career Opportunities Navigator (BHEACON) — a new web-based tool aimed at strengthening Ohio's behavioral health workforce. This centralized, interactive platform guides students, professionals, and career seekers through behavioral health career pathways, licensing requirements, and Ohio-based training programs.

BHEACON is designed for users at every stage of their career — from those just exploring the field to seasoned professionals considering their next step. The site highlights the full spectrum of opportunities in behavioral health, from entry-level positions to roles requiring advanced education, licensure, or certification. 

Mental Health America (MHA) has released its 2026 Mental Health Month Planning Guide, available in both English and Spanish. This year’s theme, "More Good Days, Together," focuses on helping people have more good days by meeting them where they are, supporting them as whole people, and understanding that “good” is defined by their unique experience and goals. The free, downloadable planning guide includes outreach ideas and examples, and ready-to-use communication tools. 

Light Up Green
In celebration of Mental Health Month, MHA invites communities to join its Light Up Green campaign. Throughout May, participating communities are encouraged to illuminate bridges, monuments, and other structures in green light — the color for mental health awareness. Click HERE to learn more.  

In recognition of National Criminal Justice Month, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released a new publication, Trends in Mental Health and Criminal Justice State Policy. The mental health crisis in the criminal justice system has led to communities searching for ways to reduce criminal justice system involvement and increase investments in mental health care. NAMI’s Trends in Mental Health and Criminal Justice State Policy shows how state policymakers and advocates can address this problem.

This issue brief offers policy recommendations and examples of legislation that support individuals with mental health conditions who are at risk of being or are justice system-involved. Many of the new state laws in this brief were championed by NAMI state organizations and their advocates. The brief covers six policy areas:

• Diversion
• Juvenile justice
• Conditions in custody
• Re-entry
• Competency restoration
• Civil commitment

This brief is the first publication in NAMI’s 2025 State Legislation Issue Brief Series which will examine new state mental health laws from 2025 addressing access to mental health care and 988 and crisis services.

The Ohio Coaching and Mentoring (OCAM) Network has released a schedule of upcoming trainings for prevention professionals. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Email info@ocamnetwork.org.

March 17 | Ethical Grant Writing, Scam Smarts, and Crafting Winning Program Plans March 18 | Best Practices in Youth-Led Substance Use Prevention Programs
March 19 | Marijuana — Myths, Facts, and Controversies
March 19 | Prevention Ethics Basics
March 23-26 | SAPST: SPF Application for Prevention Success Virtual Training
March 24 | Crafting Sustainability Plans, Summaries, and Complete Grant Packages March 30-31, April 1 and 3 | Prevention Core Competencies

The Ohio Substance Use Disorders Center of Excellence (SUD COE) at Case Western Reserve University will present a free Women and Substance Use Disorder: Treatment Success and Barriers for Care webinar on March 24 from Noon-1:00 p.m. Participants will explore how stigma, fear of child welfare involvement, and systemic inequities can create barriers to treatment access and continuity of care. The training underscores the growing body of evidence supporting integrated treatment approaches that combine SUD services with mental health care, trauma-specific interventions, and primary health care, demonstrating improved outcomes in treatment retention, maternal-child health, and recovery stability. Designed for practical application across diverse physical and behavioral care settings, this workshop incorporates interactive exercises and case-based learning tailored to participants’ professional roles. Note: This webinar will be repeated on April 14 and April 24. 

Join Prevention Action Alliance (PAA) for the 4th Annual Ohio Alcohol Misuse Prevention Conference on March 26 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Ohio University Dublin Integrated Education Center. Hosted with support from Ohio Liquor (OHLQ), this training will explore prevention strategies across the lifespan as part of this year’s theme, "Prevention Without Age Limits: Tackling Alcohol Misuse at Every Life Stage." The conference will feature keynote speaker Rick Collins from the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute and sessions on topics including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and alcohol use, youth stress, environmental prevention, and more. Cost is $75. Registration closes March 18.

This April for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Ohio Children's Trust Fund is hosting five prevention-focused webinars. Each webinar will offer insight into child abuse prevention work happening across Ohio and the impact these programs are having on families. All webinars start at 11:00 a.m. 

April 1 | DCY Family and Customer Support Center
April 8 | Better Together: Community Driven Prevention
April 15 | Family Connects Ohio: Trusted Care for Every Family
April 23 | Parent Advocacy and Leadership
April 29 | Family Support Through Primary Prevention

Join PAA for a free webinar featuring RecoveryOhio’s Assistant Director, Jennifer Lloyd, who will demonstrate RecoveryRachel, Ohio’s statewide mental health and substance use treatment navigation portal. Learn how this innovative system improves how people find care and hear lessons from Ohio’s first-of-its-kind approach to modernizing treatment access.

The Ohio Children's Alliance will host its 50th Annual Spring Conference "Connection for Impact: Building a Stronger Future Together" on April 21-22 at the Hilton Columbus – Polaris Hotel. The conference is designed to empower and equip those who dedicate their lives to Ohio’s children and families with the tools needed for success. Nationally recognized speakers Riaz Meghji and Mark Ostach will challenge the way participants think about communication and leadership, and a variety of workshops will be held. Click HERE to explore the full agenda.