Opioid Treatment Innovation Grant (EOI #95) is sponsored by Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health invites potential eligible organizations to submit an expression of interest for the Opioid Treatment Innovation Grant.

Ohio Department of Behavioral Health sent this bulletin at 12/12/2025 02:01 PM EST View as a webpage / Share Friday, December 12, 2025 2025 Ohio Prevention Conference Prevention professionals from around Ohio gathered in downtown Columbus this week for the 2025 Ohio Prevention Conference , hosted by Prevention Action Alliance and sponsored by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).

This year's theme was "Advancing Prevention Through Integrated Approaches." DBH Deputy Director of the Office of Community and Family Resiliency, Jenifer Fraioli (pictured) delivered opening remarks to the crowd of about 400 prevention professionals. During her remarks, Fraioli highlighted outcomes from several pilot programs designed to tackle problem gambling, suicide, and relational health.

The conference was also an opportunity for many of the attendees to express their appreciation for Toni Ashton, Prevention Coordinator for the Fairfield County ADAMH Board (pictured with Deputy Director Fraioli, Prevention Systems Manager Dawn Thomas, and Community Prevention Administrator Shemane Armour) who is retiring next month after decades as an advocate for public and behavioral health.

EOI #95: Opioid Treatment Innovation Grant The DBH Office of Treatment Services invites Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) to submit an expression of interest to access funding to provide or expand up-to-date and innovative programming, technology, and/or resources to individuals in an underserved, high-need area or high-need population group.

This opportunity will provide up to $500,000 for implementing innovative initiatives that will enable agencies to provide low-threshold medication and non-medication services to individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) who encounter obstacles to receiving services in Ohio communities. A virtual, technical assistance call will be held via Teams on Dec. 17 at 1:00 p.

m. Interested applicants should submit an expression of interest email to OTPinnovation@dbh. ohio.

gov by 3:00 p. m. on Jan.

9, 2026. RFA #96: Integrated Maternal Wellness Pilot Project The DBH Office of Treatment Services is seeking applicants in the Northwestern or Western rural regions of Ohio to expand comprehensive integrated health care services for pregnant and parenting women with substance use conditions.

Awarded program(s) will be partnered with a consultant and trainer to implement the MATernity Journey: Integrated Maternal Wellness Framework with a goal of increasing access and improving outcomes for women in this area. The deadline to submit an application is 3:00 p. m.

on Jan. 16, 2026. Questions can be sent to: womenstreatment@dbh.

ohio. gov . RFA #97: MATernity Journey: Integrated Maternal Wellness Framework, The DBH Office of Treatment Services is seeking applications from qualified hospital systems in rural counties to provide consultation and training to partnering program(s) in Northwestern or Western rural regions of Ohio.

The goal of this award is to partner with program(s) to implement the MATernity Journey: Integrated Maternal Wellness Framework to improve provision of integrated care and increase comprehensive health care services for pregnant and parenting women in this area of the state. The deadline to submit an application is 3:00 p. m.

on Jan. 16, 2026. Questions can be sent to: womenstreatment@dbh.

ohio. gov . Ohio Youth-Led Collective Youth Leadership Training More than 250 youth, representing 24 unique youth-led programs from 15 counties, attended the Ohio Youth-Led Collective Youth Leadership training held this past weekend at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky.

Designed to strengthen leadership, collaboration, and advocacy skills, the event offered a dynamic blend of peer-led facilitation, skill-building workshops, and dedicated project development time. It also fostered statewide connection and equipped young leaders with practical tools to strengthen youth-led prevention efforts throughout Ohio. Youth leaders from B.

A. T. S.

, The Pawsitive Project, Youth to Youth (pictured above), and Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs (pictured below) played a central role by facilitating sessions on how to make presentations practical, receivable, interesting, memorable, and engaging.

They also led a powerful discussion on the importance of advocating for youth-led initiatives at both the local and statewide levels, emphasizing the role young people play in shaping community change. Participants engaged in a variety of workshops focused on public speaking, teamwork, data collection, wellness, program design, and effective storytelling.

Structured networking opportunities allowed youth from different regions and programs to connect, share experiences, and build supportive peer relationships. Each group also had dedicated time to begin developing their own project or initiative.

The event concluded with an opportunity for teams to present their emerging plans on stage, showcasing their creativity, leadership, and commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare Collects Food Drive Donations, Delivers Thanksgiving Meals In November, Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare (NBH) sponsored a food drive to spread generosity during the holiday season to those who need it most.

During the last week of November, donations were dropped off to both Akron Canton Food Bank and the Emergency Assistance Center in Northfield. In total, NBH donated the equivalent of 483 meals. Additionally, on Nov.

26, the Mahoning County Community Support Network (CSN) Integrated Treatment Team came together to prepare and deliver 31 Thanksgiving meals to clients who would otherwise spend the holiday without a Thanksgiving meal. Each team member contributed a homemade dish, helping ensure every meal was complete, warm, and prepared with care.

This annual act of service reflects the team’s commitment to client support, dignity, and community connection -- especially during the holiday season. OneOhio Unveils $45M Grant Opportunity to Advance Recovery and Community Reslience The OneOhio Recovery Foundation has announced a new statewide grant opportunity making up to $45. 7 million available to support prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Organizations working to address substance use disorder are invited to prepare for the upcoming funding inquiry window, which opens on Wednesday, Jan. 14. This new round of grants builds on the success of Regional Grant Cycle 1, during which the Foundation awarded more than $45 million to more than 240 projects across Ohio.

The full Regional Grant Cycle 2 Request for Proposals is available on the OneOhio website at OneOhioFoundation. com/Grants . To support applicants throughout the grant process, the Foundation will host multiple webinars, including the first of two Grant Cycle 2 RFP Overview sessions on Dec.

16 from 10:00-11:30 a. m. Click HERE to register.

Read Full Media Announcement Gift Responsibly Campaign Highlights Youth Gambling Risks New Cyberbullying and Teen Substance Use Resources When families have the right tools, they can help keep their teens safe and supported, both online and offline. The Partnership to End Addiction has released several new resources that focus on cyberbullying and teen substance use. Click the links below for more information.

Video: A Parent's Guide to Cyberbullying How Cyberbullying Affects Teens and Fuels Substance Use Co-Occurring Disorders Resource Center Positive Parenting for Teens: Practical Tips that Work Family Conflict and Teen Substance Use: How to Help New HPIO Policy Brief Focuses on Access to Mental Health Care for Ohio Children and Youth The Health Policy Institute of Ohio ( HPIO ) has issued a new brief titled, Access to Mental Health Care for Ohio Children and Youth .

This brief, which is the third in HPIO's Ohio Child Mental Health Project , focuses on access to mental health care services across levels of care. As part of the release, HPIO is also releasing a community voice spotlight on parent and caregiver experiences with barriers to child and youth mental health care. Click HERE to download the full publication and HERE to view a two-page executive summary.

EMDR Therapy and Consultation Trainings — Athens and Knox Counties DBH, in partnership with Amber Stiles-Bodnar Consulting, will host two EMDR Therapy and Consultation training sessions in 2026 for behavioral health clinicians.

These experiential trainings will familiarize participants with a broad spectrum of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy applications sufficient for comfortable and efficient use with a wide range of patients and situations. The trainings consist of lectures, live and video demonstrations, and supervised practice.

Sessions will be led by Amber Stiles-Bodnar, MSEd, LPCC-S, LCDC III — EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Therapist, and Trainer. Classes will be capped at 30 participants. Eligible participants must have a minimum of a master’s degree.

Questions? Email Elizabeth. Poprocki@dbh.

ohio. gov . Register online at amberstilesbodnarconsulting.

com/trainings before Jan. 9, 2026. Include code "OhioDBH" at checkout.

View training flyer | Register View training flyer | Register Fireside Chat: Navigating the Holidays in Recovery — Dec. 18 The holiday season can be a time of joy, but it can also bring stress, loneliness, and complicated emotions, especially for people in or affected by recovery. To offer support, perspective, and connection, Tom Farley from Recovery.

com and Mobilize Recovery's Co-Founder Ryan Hampton will be hosting a live, virtual Fireside Chat on Dec. 18 at 1:00 p. m.

CST (2:00 p. m. EST).

Together, they’ll discuss practical ways to stay grounded, connected, and supported during a season that isn’t always easy. This free, live discussion is open to all. Click HERE to RSVP and receive a Zoom link.

Application Open for 3rd Ohio Recovery Leadership Institute Cohort Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery ( OCAAR ) is seeking applicants for its 3rd Ohio Recovery Leadership Institute cohort. The cohort, which is open to individuals in recovery from substance use disorder, consists of five monthly workshops, beginning Feb. 27, 2026, and ending June 26, 2026.

Twenty applicants will be selected for participation. Stipends will be provided to assist with travel. The deadline to apply is Jan.

8, 2026. Questions? Email Michael King at michael@communitiesproject.

org . Human Trafficking Prevention Month Webinar Series In observance of January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month , The Governor's Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force has announced a three-part webinar series focused on current topics and trends in the anti-trafficking field.

The series was developed in partnership with national, state, and local partners including Allies Against Slavery, The Jensen Project, Gracehaven, and Freedom A la Cart. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions?

Email AHT@info. dps. ohio.

gov . Jan. 8 | Data in Action: Using National and State Human Trafficking Data Jan.

15 | Serving Child and Youth Survivors: Updates on Ohio's Response to Human Trafficking in the Child Protection System The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Client: Developing Clinical Competency in Mental Health Treatment Two-Part Training Series The Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center (CHSC), in partnership with DBH, has released upcoming training dates for its two-part training series — The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Client: Developing Clinical Competency in Mental Health Treatment .

All sessions are virtual from 9:00 a. m. -4:00 p.

m. ASL interpreters and Zoom captioning will be provided. Click the links below for more information and to register.

Questions? Email rleffel@chsc. org .

Part 1 | Jan. 9 and March 6 | View Flyer Part 2 | Feb. 6 and April 10 | View Flyer CHSC has also released 2026 dates for its Zoom-based Interpreter Community of Practice Series .

Upcoming dates include: Jan. 20, Feb. 19, March 19, April 21, and May 21.

Click HERE for more information. OSU P. E.

A. C. E Behavioral Health Seminar — Jan.

12 As part of the Psychedelic Emergency, Acute, and Continuing Care Education (P. E. A.

C. E.) program , The Ohio State University Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education will host a free Psychedelic Crisis Assessment and Intervention Behavioral Health Seminar on Jan.

12 from 5:30-9:00 p. m. at The Fawcett Event Center in Columbus.

This training will equip licensed behavioral health professionals with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to effectively recognize and respond to psychedelic-related crises. Participants will learn evidence-informed approaches that prioritize safety, de-escalation, and compassion while supporting improved outcomes for individuals in distress and those providing care.

In addition to addressing acute crisis response, participants will gain valuable tools for supporting individuals after and before psychedelic use — enhancing integration, promoting long-term stabilization, and fostering continuity of care across disciplines and settings. Questions? Email CPDRE@osu.

edu . How to Work With Specialized Populations — Jan. 13 PGNO will host a free, virtual case presentation: Challenges with Complex Cases and Specialized Services on Jan.

13 from 12:30-1:30 p. m. Ken Buzzelli, LISW-S, LICDC-CS-GAMB, will present the timeline and scope of services provided to an individual in the deaf community.

He'll showcase coordinated support involving family members and translation services within the community through a Problem Gambling Helpline call, warm transfer, and telehealth. Stark County Substance Use Symposium — Jan. 28 Stark County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery ( StarkMHAR ) will host its biannual Substance Use Symposium, titled “ Evolving Epidemic: Historical Roots and Emerging Challenges ,” on Jan.

28 from 8:00 a. m. -4:30 p.

m. at First Christian Church’s Heritage Hall in Canton. The symposium will feature presentations from leading experts who will examine evolving trends, emerging substances, and their impact on individuals and communities.

Registration is $45 and open to anyone working with individuals impacted by substance use, including behavioral health providers, peer supporters, criminal justice professionals, health care providers, and housing partners. The deadline to register is Jan. 14.

Questions? Email ashley. jarvis@starkmhar.

org . 2026 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference — Feb. 11-12 Registration is open for the 2026 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference , which will be held Feb.

11-12 at the Ohioan Hotel and Event Center in Lewis Center. Join more than 300 national experts, state leaders, and local innovators in problem gambling prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery, research, administration, and safer-play. Ohio Children's Alliance Announces 2026 Training Dates The Ohio Children's Alliance (OCA) has released a schedule of professional learning opportunities for 2026.

Save these dates and watch the OCA trainings and conferences webpage for more information: April 21-22 | 50th Annual Spring Conference May 20-21 | 13th Annual Trauma-Informed Summit Oct.

26-27 | 2026 Ohio Children's Alliance Symposium DeWine calls for emergency rule to ban synthetic kratom in Ohio Columbus Dispatch , December 11, 2025 Lottery Commission issues warning about gifting tickets to minors WKBN-TV , December 11, 2025 How long can you stay on antidepressants? The New York Times , December 11, 2025 DeWine plans to sign SB 56, calling hemp regulations a 'major victory' Cleveland.

com , December 11, 2025 NAMI Athens opening community mental health hub Ohio youth take lead in suicide prevention, peer support initiatives WTRF-TV , December 11, 2025 Healthy Minds: Ohio superintendents discuss mental wellness in schools WSYX-TV , December 10, 2025 Mercy Health, Lifepoint open new mental health hospital Warren Tribune Chronicle , December 10, 2025 Experts warn holiday gifts may carry hidden gambling risks for kids PR Newswire , December 10, 2025 All Sides: Issues surrounding mental health care WOSU 89.

7 , December 10, 2025 Huge genetic study reveals hidden links between psychiatric conditions Nature , December 10, 2025 Starlight Center offers vital mental health support close to home for Fairfield residents WTTE-TV , December 9, 2025 OneEighty Executive Director Bobbi Douglas to retire after 44 years of service Your Ohio News , December 9, 2025 In a new poll, 1 in 5 Americans report having poor mental health Lucas County sports betting addiction resources WTVG-TV, December 9, 2025 Prevention efforts for cannabis-impaired driving should also focus on older adults News-Medical.

net, December 9, 2025 Seneca County Schools, first responders relaunch 'Handle With Care' program Crawford County Now , December 8, 2025 Harbor revamps culture, values to enhance services after rapid growth BG Independent , December 8, 2025 Carroll County officials push MH awareness as suicides outpace state average Your Ohio News , December 6, 2025 Protecting your mental health when traveling during the holiday Forbes , December 6, 2025 If you would like to submit a news item or training for consideration for publication in the DBH Behavioral Health Bulletin , please email content to Eric.

Wandersleben@dbh. ohio. gov .

Ohio Department of Behavioral Health Mike DeWine , Governor | Tia Marcel Moretti , Interim Director