DeWine Signs Order on Solar Eclipse Safety

Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order on Wednesday that directs all state departments and agencies to be prepared to ensure the health and safety of all Ohioans and visitors before, during and after the forthcoming solar eclipse. The total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 will cross a 124-mile-wide band in the state of Ohio, the governor’s office said in a news release. Only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed the lower 48 states during the existence of the U.S. The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806, and the next total solar eclipse will not pass through Ohio until the year 2099.

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) is coordinating the state’s preparation and response to the event, and all law enforcement agencies are prepared to respond with necessary personnel and resources to assist local law enforcement in contributing to the safety and security of Ohio residents and tourists.  The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state. The influx of visitors prompted state agencies to work together to ensure everyone is prepared and safe before, during and after the event. Travelers are urged to arrive early and stay late to avoid the heaviest traffic. Additional preparedness resources are available at eclipse.ohio.gov and events surrounding the eclipse can be found at ohio.org/eclipse.

Behavioral Health Peer Support Services Stakeholder Meeting, Tuesday March 19, 2024, 2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Ohio Department of Medicaid and OhioMHAS will hold a virtual stakeholder meeting to present an update on the new Mental Health Peer Support Service that is being added to the Medicaid Behavioral Health benefit package. Peer support is currently available as a Medicaid benefit for those with substance use disorder (SUD) and as a part of several evidenced-based practices. This new service will expand coverage for individuals with mental health needs.  

Landlord Mitigation Program Funding Opportunity Deadline Today

OhioMHAS would like to share the Landlord Mitigation Program funding opportunity for the Stepping Up Counties.  The information session was held on March 8th and the video recording will be uploaded on the RFI web page soon.  The RFI is open and you can find the RFI information by clicking here.  Please submit e-mail of interest to: [email protected] and the deadline to respond to the RFI is March 15, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

Hill Day 2024: June 5-6, 2024 - Register Now!

REGISTRATION OPEN! Register today to save your space and plan to join us!

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s 20th annual Hill Day 2024 will be held June 5 & 6 in Washington DC.  For the first time since 2019, we will be convening in person in our nation’s capital to share solutions and urge our elected officials to support key mental health and substance use care initiatives ­— and we need your help!   

The National Council owes its advocacy success to you — your voices, stories and experiences help policymakers understand why we need action now on issues like the mental health and substance use care workforce crisis, overdose crisis and expanding access to care.  

Hearing about these issues and the corresponding ideas and solutions from the people living and breathing them every day gets policymakers’ attention.  

Across the two-day program, Hill Day is your chance to:

• Attend our Public Policy Institute on Wednesday, June 5, and hear from the Biden-Harris administration, congressional staff and advocacy experts on the latest mental health and substance use policy developments. 
• Explore the new realities of the post-COVID federal funding landscape. 
• Dive into the 2024 election cycle and its impacts on behavioral health in America.  
• Get up to speed on key legislation and talking points, including best practices on making the most out of your Hill Day meetings.  
• Meet directly with the offices of your elected officials on Thursday, June 6, to share solutions and demand action to support and grow the workforce, as well as expand access to comprehensive mental health and substance use care.

Register today for National Council’s Hill Day 2024.  Space may be limited so please don’t delay.  Once you register, you will also be able to make a hotel reservation at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Square at the National Council’s special rate.  The Ohio Council will schedule Hill Day visits with lawmakers and communicate with you closer to the event with details about which elected officials you will be meeting with and what issues we will be discussing.