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Friday, April 10, 2026
David Blahnik Named CEO of COBH
The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Blahnik as the new Chief Executive Officer of Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare (COBH).
Blahnik, who began his new role this week, brings decades of experience in behavioral healthcare operations, capital planning, and regulatory compliance. He has been with DBH for more than 15 years and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for COBH. In this role, he demonstrated a strong commitment to patient-centered care, safety, and operational excellence.
Throughout his career, Blahnik has been recognized as a collaborative and strategic leader. He has successfully led complex capital construction and facility planning initiatives, ensured continuous readiness for accreditation and regulatory inspections, and advanced performance improvement efforts across large, multifaceted healthcare environments. His background also includes extensive experience in budgeting, contract management, and resource stewardship.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Blahnik is deeply committed to fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
"His leadership style reflects a strong focus on teamwork, workforce development, and engagement with clinical, operational, and community partners," said DBH Director Tia Marcel Moretti. "I am confident that his experience and leadership will further enhance the important work being done at COBH and across our system."
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 In-Demand Jobs Week 2026 — May 4-8
This week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel announced that Ohio’s ninth annual In-Demand Jobs Week will take place May 4-8.
In-Demand Jobs Week highlights Ohio’s most in-demand and fastest-growing industries through hiring events, educational activities, and training opportunities across the state. Throughout the week, businesses, schools, and community organizations are encouraged to host events that showcase career opportunities in their regions. It’s a chance to showcase the many in-demand pathways that lead to rewarding futures.
This year’s theme is “Reach Your Full Potential" — a nod to WorkOhio: Reach Your Full Potential, a new initiative launched by Lt. Governor Tressel earlier this year to connect Ohioans with in-demand jobs in their area through personalized support from teams of regional job experts.
To learn more about In-Demand Jobs Week, visit topjobs.ohio.gov/week.
To add your event to the In-Demand Jobs Week Events Map at topjobs.ohio.gov/week, email In-DemandJobs@jfs.ohio.gov with your event name, the date/time, and a short description. Past events have included job fairs, business tours, apprenticeship signings, hands-on workshops, and much more.
To learn more about WorkOhio, visit WorkOhio.gov.
For more information about job opportunities in Ohio and available career resources, visit OhioMeansJobs.com. Learn more about DBH's Wellness Workforce efforts HERE.
 Ohio Delegation Participates in Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Overdose Learning Collaborative
In March, representatives from DBH and Governor DeWine's RecoveryOhio initiative convened in Washington, D.C., as part of a learning collaborative designed to strengthen partnerships to prevent overdose. The Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Overdose Learning Collaborative was hosted by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the National Governor's Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices, in partnership with Safe States Alliance, and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Together with colleagues from Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, and Washington, the Ohio delegation collaborated on strategies to help states initiate and strengthen overdose prevention policies, programs, and initiatives. NGA, ASTHO, and other partners will work with states to reevaluate how they can strategically fund overdose prevention across the full spectrum of care.
Pictured: Members of the Ohio delegation (l-r) Jordan Knipper, State Opioid Treatment Authority; Melissa Bacon, Deputy Director, DBH Office of Behavioral Health Policy; Jennifer Lloyd, RecoveryOhio Assistant Director; Erin Reed, RecoveryOhio Director; and Nikki Riley, DBH First Responder Liaison.
 NEO BH Summit Focuses on Outcomes, Sustainability
WellLink Health Alliance, in partnership with the Ohio Institute for SUD Excellence and Peg's Foundation, convened the Northeast Ohio Behavioral Health Summit on April 9. DBH Director Tia Marcel Moretti participated in the Summit, which focused on outcomes and sustainability of behavioral health services in the region.
Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Inventory Survey
The Ohio Youth Led Collective, with support from DBH, is conducting a statewide survey to better understand Ohio youth-led prevention programs. Your perspective is essential to helping us identify opportunities and grow youth-led efforts across the state.
By completing this short, seven‑minute survey, your responses will help build a clearer picture of the resources available to young people and pinpoint areas where additional support, training, or connection may be needed. Your insight will directly shape future initiatives that empower youth and strengthen prevention programming in Ohio.
The deadline to complete the survey is April 24. Questions? Email Sarah Sawmiller at ssawmiller@prevention-first.org.
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April is Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness and understanding of alcohol use and misuse. It offers communities a chance to gain more understanding about how individuals struggle with alcohol use and offers resources and support.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAA) Rethinking Drinking website has facts on drinking and resources for those seeking help for themselves or others. Click HERE to access NIAAA's booklet, Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol & Your Health. Click HERE to access the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Alcohol Awareness Month social media toolkit.
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National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: April 25
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 25 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Click HERE to find collection sites near you and HERE for additional DEA resources.
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New School Wellness Podcast Episode
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The School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention at Miami University has released the latest installment of its School Wellness Podcast. In this month's episode, hear from Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation's Evi Roberts who provides an update on the Foundation's newest initiatives and the Sources of Strength program. Click HERE to view the complete Season 3 schedule. |
National Council Releases White Paper on Peer Support in Schizophrenia Care
The National Council recently released a white paper exploring how trained peer support workers can help close critical gaps in schizophrenia care, with real-world insights from Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics that are already making it work. The white paper offers practical recommendations for health care leaders, policymakers, peer support programs, and individuals and families, and covers workforce development, program infrastructure, outreach, outcome measurement, and policy reform.
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New SAMHSA Resources
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released two new resources. Click the links below to view and download.
Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED) in Children, Youth, and Young Adults — provides an overview of SED, including the role of functional impairment in identifying youth with SED and the important developmental considerations.
Dually Enrolled Medicaid and Medicare Beneficiaries — this report from the Center for Financing Reform and Innovation provides a guide to publicly accessible data sources to support research and improve data-driven decision-making for individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.
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 Upcoming MACC, Inc., Training Opportunities
Upcoming Suicide Prevention Trainings
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) is hosting several upcoming suicide prevention training opportunities. Click the links below for more information and to register.
April 13 | Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training April 14 | Voices for Suicide Prevention Advocacy Update April 15 | Autism and Suicide Prevention April 16 | Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Conversations Training April 29 | Sources of Strength Ohio Conference (Virtual) May 6 | Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Conversations Training May 15 | Interfaith Conference on Suicide Prevention (Delaware) June 10 | AI and Suicide Prevention June 18 | Life is Better With You Here Summit (Pickerington) Sept. 1 | Together Forward (Virtual)
Executive Capacity Training Series: Resource Development — April 15
Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) will present Resource Development — the latest session in its Zoom-based Executive Capacity Building training series — on April 15 from 9:00 a.m.-Noon. This session will cover how to identify investors to help grow and sustain an organization. |
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Prevention and Treatment Ethics Trainings — May 1
The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) is hosting Prevention and Treatment Ethics Trainings virtually via Zoom on May 1. The trainings, which include 3.0 CEUs, are free for PGNO members and $20 for non-members. Click HERE to register for the prevention training (9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.) and HERE to register for the treatment training (1:00-4:15 p.m.)
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Centering Lived-Experience in Reentry Webinar Series
The International Community Justice Association (ICJA) is sponsoring a three-part Centering Lived-Experience in Reentry webinar series. The series brings together leaders with lived experience to explore financial stability, mental health, peer-led reentry support, and grassroots policy change. Grounded in personal insight and practical strategy, each session offers actionable tools for practitioners, supervisors, and community partners seeking to build more responsive, equitable, and effective reentry systems.
May 6 | Post-Incarceration Syndrome, Mental Health, and Moving Forward June 10 | Grassroots to Systemic Policy Change July 21 | Peer-Led Support, Mutual Aid, and Community Empowerment
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OCCA Annual Conference — May 14-15
The Ohio Community Corrections Association (OCCA) will host its 2026 Annual Conference: Building a New Era of Community Corrections — Reimagining Reintegration and Recovery on May 14-15 at The Ohioan Hotel and Event Center in Lewis Center. The conference will feature keynote presentations from national award winning journalist and author Sam Quinones and Dr. Patrice Palmer, restored citizen and tireless advocate for reentry opportunities for justice-involved individuals. The luncheon roundtable will address second chance employment, and the conference breakout sessions will focus on mental health, substance use disorders, and evidence-based practices that support successful reentry and recovery.
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Problem Gambling CE Day — May 29
2026 Summit ADM Recovery Challenge — June 6
Save the date! The County of Summit ADM Board will host the 13th Annual Recovery Challenge on June 6 at 9:00 a.m. at the IBH Addiction Recovery Center in Akron. In addition to a 5K obstacle course and one-mile family fun walk, the event will also feature community resource tables. Organizers are currently seeking volunteers. For more information, contact Max Warner at warnerm@admboard.org.
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2026 Addiction Studies Institute — Aug. 5-7
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will host the 2026 Addiction Studies Institute on Aug. 5-7 at the Nationwide and Ohio State Farm Bureau 4H Center in Columbus. The conference will deliver the latest trends and evidence‑based practices in substance use disorders, featuring knowledgeable and dynamic speakers and opportunities to earn CEU credits. Participants may attend virtually or in-person on Aug. 5-6, and virtual-only on Aug. 7. Click HERE to view the agenda and HERE for speaker bios.
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Save the Date: Ohio's AI Leadership Summit for Behavioral Health, Recovery, and Workforce Systems — Sept. 10
Save the date! Hope Town AI will host Ohio's AI Leadership Summit for Behavioral Health, Recovery, and Workforce Systems on Sept. 10 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) campus in Rootstown. The summit will bring together decision-makers, policymakers, legislative leaders, executive directors, and system partners from across the state for a critical and timely conversation about Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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No-Cost QPR & CALM Trainings from OSPF
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) is seeking partners to host QPR, CALM Conversations, and Clinical CALM trainings for their adult staff members. Trainings can be held virtually or in person and are no cost for participants or host sites. In addition, these trainings count toward annual staff suicide prevention training requirements under HB123/the SAVE Students Act, and Clinical CALM participants can earn 3.5 Continuing Education credits for Ohio prevention, social work, and counseling. For more information, check out this document or email Evi.Roberts@OhioSPF.org. Individuals can also sign up for virtual QPR and CALM Conversations trainings on the OSPF website.
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 Maumee Valley Guidance Center launches wellness program for veterans Defiance Crescent-News, April 10, 2026
As gaming popularity rises, here's how parents can talk to kids about gambling NPR, April 9, 2026
Six things men need to know about mental health The New York Times, April 9, 2026
Study: Weekly injection more effective for pregnant women with opioid use disorder Cleveland.com, April 8, 2026
ADAMHS Board appoints new operations manager to strengthen peer support services The News-Herald, April 8, 2026
Ohio lawmakers propose bills to restrict sports betting WBNS-TV, April 8, 2026
Knox County ARMOR Court gives residents opportunity for redemption Your Ohio News, April 8, 2026
Mental, physical illnesses often go hand-in-hand. Genetic study helps explain why. University of Colorado Boulder, April 8, 2026
Roughly a third of young adults have negative views of their mental health Pew Research Center, April 7, 2026
What is Somatic Therapy? The New York Times, April 6, 2026
Kane proud to serve as a 'Voice of Appalachia' on Voinovich School Advisory Board OHIO Today, April 6, 2026
A new paper says mental health therapists should talk to patients about their AI use NPR, April 6, 2026
Community Behavioral Health Forum discussing mental health in Allen County WLIO-TV, April 6, 2026
OneOhio Region 7 discusses dispersal of opioid settlement funds WFMJ-TV, April 6, 2026
How students can be responsible in sports betting The KentStater, April 6, 2026
Valley officers complete Crisis Intervention Training WFMJ-TV, April 3, 2026
Findlay food truck festival supports mental health services WTOL-TV, April 3, 2026
OhioRISE a strong presence helping kiddos in Tuscarawas County Martins Ferry Times-Leader, April 3, 2026
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