Download: November 2010 Newsletter
Offender Reentry and Justice Reinvestment
- Behavioral Health Pivotal In Successful Reentry – Ernie L. Moore
- Justice Reinvestment in Ohio – Thomas J. Strickrath
- United to Support Reentry – William M. Denihan
November NewsletterNovember 4th, 2010BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NOVEMBER 2010 LEVY RESULTSNovember 3rd, 2010Yesterday, Ohioans approved 7 out of 9 behavioral health levies across the state of Ohio. It is important to note that local levy dollars fund 1/3 of all community based alcohol, drug addiction and mental health services in Ohio. The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities gives KUDOS to all who ran levies, and congratulates the 7 counties that were able to pass theirs. The results are as follows:
Cheri L. Walter Behavioral Health Care IS Health CareNovember 1st, 2010Vol. Six, Issue XI Download: November 2010 One Pager You may have heard the slogan or seen on a bandaid that “Behavioral Health Care IS Health Care,” but what does that mean? It means that individuals with mental illness and/or addiction diseases need holistic care to recover and stay well in the community. Behavioral health is no different than physical health since a person cannot have one without the other. Recognition of a mind-body connection, just as there is a nutrition-body connection, seems to be dawning. Yet from a public policy standpoint, the physical health care system and the behavioral health system are… Governor Announces Additional $32.6 Million for Mental HealthSeptember 2nd, 2010Wednesday, September 1, 2010, a Governor’s press release announced that “Ohio’s mental health system will receive $32.6 million to help provide critical treatment for adults and children with mental illness and preserve jobs in the mental health system.” The funds are being designated from Ohio’s portion of Enhanced Federal Medicaid dollars that will flow to the state as part of a projected $518.6 million in total new funds to offset Medicaid payments. Of the new funding, $30.6 million will be distributed to County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Boards on a per capita basis for community mental health services, and $2 million will be set aside for children’s mental health services. Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) President Joseph L. Szoke, Executive Director of the ADAMHS Board for Montgomery County, commented, “We are grateful for this funding that will go directly to Ohio communities to provide desperately needed mental health treatment services and recovery supports like consumer-directed services, employment, and housing that enable so many adults to live productive lives in the community. This means that vital services like crisis care will be maintained to help people avoid costly alternatives such as state hospitals, emergency room visits, and even jail.” According to Cheri L. Walter, OACBHA CEO, “The additional funding will help to replace the loss of state funds for community-based services. Ohio’s behavioral health system of care has hung on by a thread, and this new funding will allow access to treatment for non-Medicaid individuals and the recovery supports that keep people alive. We are very thankful for these additional dollars; people with a mental illness and their families will truly benefit from the services provided. We know that Treatment Works, and People Recover when they have access to the community-based services and recovery supports they need.” Treatment + Recovery Supports = A Healthy OhioJuly 1st, 2010
Vol. Six, Issue VII Download: July 2010 One Pager The recovery processes for individuals with mental illnesses and addictions are complex. The process usually begins with treatment services. Treatment services for mental illnesses and addictions occur in the forms of counseling, psychotherapy, and medication management in both in-patient and out-patient settings. Treatment can vary based upon… VOTE — VOTE — VOTEApril 30th, 2010
Thanks,
Cheri L. Walter Addiction is a Disease of the BrainApril 1st, 2010
Download: April 2010 One Pager Addiction is a complex brain disease. It is a chronic disease characterized by craving, seeking, and use that can persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences. Alcohol and other drug seeking behavior may PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSEFebruary 8th, 2010According to a February 7th article in the Columbus Dispatch the illegal prescription drug trade is becoming an epidemic in Ohio. This story is very consistent with the OF-1-MIND Opinions and Attitudes survey released last month by the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities. This survey shows that 22% of Ohioans believe that prescription drugs are the most serious drug problem in their community, second only to alcohol (38%). We should all note that the two drug problems that were identified as being the most problematic in Ohio are, in most cases, legal. As America continues to spend more and more money trying to fight the drug war, enforce drug laws and incarcerate drug offenders we may want to take another look at our priorities. To date, the drug war has done a great deal to eradicate street drugs, but not enough to decrease drug-use. We are seeing more and more people switching from street drugs to prescription drugs which are often more accessible. What we need to be focusing our efforts and money on, is alcohol and drug abuse prevention, education and treatment. TREATMENT WORKS AND PEOPLE RECOVER. To see the entire Columbus Dispatch article, please visit: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/07/OXYCONTIN.ART_ART_02-07-10_A1_HGGH7K4.html?sid=101 To learn more about OF-1-MIND and the Opinions and Attitude survey go to: Have a great week!
Cheri L. Walter |
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This Tuesday May 4th is primary election day, and when the polls open every US citizen 18 and older has the right, and in my opinion the duty to vote. Voting is a privilege that those of us who live in a democracy enjoy, and hopefully we all take advantage of this right and participate in the American democratic process. On Tuesday 5 Behavioral Health Boards in Ohio have a levy on the ballot. We need to ensure that recovery opportunities are available in all Ohio communities. Your YES vote will make it possible for our family members, friends, and neighbors to experience recovery from mental illness and addiction. Please Vote YES for the levy in the following communities if this is where you live and vote.
Vol. Six, Issue IV