The Reading for Resiliency initiative is being launched through a partnership between DBH and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, bringing together literacy, prevention, and family wellness strategies to support children and families across Ohio. DBH will implement community-based reading programming across multiple regions of the state through the Ohio Children’s Alliance. The initiative uses reading and storytelling as a prevention strategy to build positive developmental outcomes for Ohio children and families.

“Reading together creates opportunities for connection, emotional growth, and resilience,” said DBH Director Tia Marcel Moretti. “This initiative recognizes that literacy is not only foundational to academic success, but also an important tool for strengthening families, reducing stress, encouraging healthy coping skills, and building stronger communities.”

Reading for Resiliency events will bring together children, parents, caregivers, educators, prevention professionals, and community partners to promote literacy and strengthen protective factors that support behavioral health and wellness.

The Initiative was developed in response to growing concerns from families and communities regarding youth mental wellness, social connection, and excessive screen time. The program will integrate literacy activities with broader wellness initiatives including behavioral health education, digital wellness resources, nutrition programming, and community health engagement opportunities.

Programming will:

• Provide age-appropriate books and literacy materials for children and families;
• Promote shared reading as a strategy to strengthen parent-child relationships           and emotional development;
• Increase awareness of the connection between literacy, resilience, and mental         wellness;
• Encourage healthy alternatives to excessive screen time through family                     engagement activities;
• Connect families to local prevention, wellness, and behavioral health resources;       and
• Partner with youth-led prevention programs, community coalitions, libraries,               schools, and health organizations to build community partnerships and                     maximize impact.

Governor DeWine highlighted the impact of key Administration initiatives and discussed Ohio's future and the importance of preparing the youth of today for the jobs of tomorrow. He then focused on key achievements in the behavioral health space, including the Administration's concerted effort to promote greater access to mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery support services; the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; the impact of capital investments (including funding for the new Miami Valley Behavioral Healthcare hospital); and the recent statewide expansion of Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS). 

The Governor's special message followed opening remarks from DBH Director Tia Marcel Moretti, a recap of programming highlights from Chief Operating Officer Carrie Kuruc, and the presentation of employee recognition and service awards. 

The festival brought together performers from three state correctional institutions for a full day of music, spoken word, and community engagement centered on hope, healing, and human connection. The Harmony Project choirs from ORW, Pickaway Correctional Institution, and Madison Correctional Institution included several participants from DBH Recovery Services and Therapeutic Communities.

"Today is about hope and purpose and humanity," said ORW Warden Erin Maldonado. "All the people in this room have taken the chance of being a part of the Harmony Project, and what that means is they're accepting that where they are does not define who they are. They've made mistakes, they accept mistakes, they take accountability, but then they make choices to move forward."

Thrive Peer Recovery Services has announced a new collaboration with The Centers Glick Recovery Campus to expand peer support services at the Glick Recovery Campus in Cuyahoga County, launching September 2026. The collaboration represents a significant step forward in expanding access to peer-led recovery support in crisis care settings while also creating new workforce opportunities for individuals with lived experience.

As part of the launch, Thrive will lead the recruitment and training of a dedicated workforce to support the new program, including Peer Recovery Supporters and leadership roles needed to help establish 24/7 coverage at the crisis center. Community partners, workforce development organizations, and local referral networks are encouraged to help share the employment opportunities and amplify awareness of the new collaboration. By working together, Thrive and The Centers aim to build both immediate staffing momentum and longer-term awareness of the important role peer support plays in crisis care and recovery.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Surgeon General recently released the Surgeon General’s Warning on the Harms of Screen Use: An Advisory and Toolkit on How to Protect Children and Adolescents, which raises national awareness about the growing risks associated with excessive and harmful screen use among young people.

The Surgeon General’s advisory highlights the growing evidence linking excessive screen time to sleep disruption, mental health challenges, and other negative health outcomes among children and adolescents. National estimates show adolescents spend an average seven to nine hours a day on entertainment screens, and most report using their devices right before bed. What they encounter online and the excessive, and sometimes compulsive, use of screens is increasingly linked to real-world harm.

Click HERE to see how leaders, advocates, and the media are responding to the advisory and toolkit.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released several new resources. Click the links below for more information.

Healthy Starts: Postpartum OUD Care Transitions for Mother and Infant: This publication summarizes information about the postpartum period, presents an innovative program as a case study, and offers practical advice for care teams on comprehensive, collaborative perinatal care.

Associations Between Maternal Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and Pregnancy Outcomes: Opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy can pose serious risks for both mother and child. This study of Medicaid records from 29,193 women found that pregnant women who received OUD treatment, including medication, talk-based therapies, or both, had significantly better pregnancy outcomes than those who received no treatment. This study underscores that receiving treatment for OUD is significantly associated with better pregnancy outcomes. 

Revised Regulations for Opioid Treatment Programs — Establishing a Baseline to Measure Progress Over Time: This report and webinar from SAMHSA's Center for Financing Reform and Innovation (CFRI) examines the extent to which states and opioid treatment programs (OTPs) adopted changes after the revisions to 42 CFR part 8 were put into effect. The updated regulations promote increased access to evidence-based medications for opioid use disorder, greater retention in care by promoting practitioner's professional judgment in providing patient-centered care and reducing barriers to services. View the report, webinar, and webinar slides on SAMHSA’s CFRI web page.

Improving Housing Stability for People with Behavioral Health Needs Through the CCBHC Model: This resource discusses how CCBHCs across the U.S. can work with specific groups to prioritize stable housing, and to explore collaborations with national, state, and local partners to build a network of support for homeless individuals.

Impact and Opportunities for CCBHCs in Rural Communities: This resource describes how CCBHCs are currently impacting access and quality of care in rural areas, as well as the potential role of CCBHCs in rural areas. 

How Trauma Disrupts Sleep
PTSD is more than emotional distress — it changes how the brain and body react to perceived danger.⁴ The body’s natural “fight-or-flight” alarm system remains active even after the threat has passed.⁵ Many people with PTSD experience insomnia, nightmares, or frequent awakenings because the brain begins to associate the bed with anxiety and alertness — a process called conditioned arousal.^5,6 Without restorative sleep, mood, memory, and concentration suffer, reinforcing the cycle of stress and exhaustion. Restoring healthy sleep patterns allows the brain to process memories and regulate emotions more effectively, making sleep a critical part of PTSD treatment.

The Role of Sleep in Overall Health
Sleep is not just rest; it is recovery. During quality sleep, the brain organizes memories, the heart rate slows, and hormones that control growth, immunity, and healing are released. Chronic sleep loss can affect nearly every system in the body.⁷ For those living with PTSD, insufficient sleep intensifies anxiety, slows recovery, and heightens vulnerability to depression and substance use. Treating insomnia in conjunction with trauma therapy improves overall outcomes and resilience^5,6

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) is hosting two upcoming virtual training opportunities. Click the links below for more information and to register. Click HERE for a full list of upcoming trainings and events. 

June 18 | Agency Service Consultation Outcomes Presentation
June 24 | PGNO Annual Meeting

Questions? Email info@PGNOhio.org.

Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence, Inc. (MACC), has released a schedule of upcoming training opportunities. Click the links below for more information and to register. Click HERE to view MACC's Training and Events webpage. Questions? Email shenry@maccinc.net.

June 22 | Positive Youth Development
June 24 | Reimagining Substance Use: From Policy to Practice
June 30 | Beyond Sobriety: Empowering Lives Through Trauma-Informed Recovery
July 9 | Exploring Best Practices for Supporting Families Affected by SUD
July 15 | Substance Use Across the Lifespan
July 29 | Loneliness, Loss, and Substance Use Later in Life
Aug. 13 | Talking to Adolescents About Substance Use Disorder

Signature Health will host its 2026 Problem Gambling Training Symposium on June 26 from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Tri-C Corporate College East in Warrensville Heights. This one-day, in-person training is designed to strengthen knowledge and skills to better support individuals impacted by problem gambling. The symposium offers practical tools, emerging insights, and collaborative learning opportunities to help professionals better identify, prevent, and treat gambling-related harm. The training is approved for 5.75 CEUs. Cost is $10 and includes CEUs, breakfast, and lunch. 

Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO) will host the 2026 Peer Recovery Summit: Connection Creates Recovery: Healing Happens Together on July 8-9 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. Time is running out to register. Join the hundreds of peers, recovery leaders, advocates, and organizations from across the state who have registered for an unforgettable experience centered on connection, growth, and recovery. Click HERE to register and HERE to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Questions? Email OhioPRO Executive Director Michael J. Krause at mkrause@ohio-pro.com.

Join the Center 4 dis-ABILITY Empowerment (CdE) on July 9 for an evening of celebration, reflection, and community at its annual banquet. The Center will celebrate the the launch of its reimagined brand identity, honor the 26th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), highlight the rich history of the Independent Living Movement, recognize the progress made toward disability rights and inclusion, and share details of its 2027 dis-ABILITY Pride Campaign. The event will be held from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Vue Columbus. ASL interpretation, CART captioning, large-print materials, and accessible seating are available upon request. Space is limited. RSVP by June 25.

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF), in partnership with the University of Findlay, will host Suicide Prevention with Deaf Individuals: Why Traditional Models Can Fall Short on July 13 at noon. This webinar will provide practical guidance for adapting suicide prevention efforts to better serve Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Participants will learn how communication barriers and systemic factors can affect suicide risk and explore strategies for more accessible, culturally responsive assessment, intervention, and crisis response.

The Substance Use Deflection Initiative, housed in Northeast Ohio Medical University's (NEOMED) Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence, is hosting two upcoming technical assistance sessions. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Email Imari McGowan at imcgowan@neomed.edu.

July 13 | Building Recovery Capital in Deflection | Register
Aug. 3 | Harm Reduction Policy and Advocacy | Register

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. 

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) will host the third annual Ohio Health Policy Summit on Aug. 29 at The Ohioan Hotel and Event Center in Lewis Center. The 2026 Summit builds on HPIO’s mission to inform data-driven policymaking that improves health, health equity, and the value of health care spending in Ohio. The theme this year is “Meeting the Moment: Using Data for Policy Progress.” This action-oriented convening will include plenary sessions featuring national experts and breakout sessions focused on solutions to rising health care costs, taking mental health supports upstream, child health and well-being, and strategies for using data effectively. Alexandra Spratt, who leads health care policy efforts at Arnold Ventures, will provide keynote remarks. Questions? Email aclarkkirk@hpio.net. 

Earlybird registration is now open for Together Forward: Action, Engagement, and Advocacy in Suicide Prevention, taking place virtually on Sept. 1. This global virtual gathering brings together clinicians, community leaders, peer specialists, first responders, educators, policymakers, veterans, and individuals with lived experience to engage in courageous conversations and advance suicide prevention through action, engagement, and advocacy. Featured speakers include The Ohio State University Head Football Coach Ryan Day and University of Dayton Men's Basketball Head Coach Anthony Grant, who will discuss the importance of athlete mental health, the unique pressures faced by student-athletes, and the role that connection, support, and culture play in protecting mental well-being both on and off the field. Cost is $49 before July 1 and $59 after July 1. 

The International Community Justice Association will host its 2026 Annual Research Conference on Aug. 30-Sept. 2 at The Ohioan Hotel and Event Center in Lewis Center. This year's theme is "Grounded in Experience, United for Impact." Sunday, Aug. 30, will feature a pre-conference session led by Steven Shook, Ph.D. This highly interactive pre-conference experience will help participants better understand themselves and the people they serve through engaging activities, reflection, discussion, and practical application. Attendees will explore how personality influences communication, how values shape decision-making, how mindset impacts resilience and adaptability, and how emotional intelligence strengthens relationships and leadership. Click HERE to view a schedule of events.