The Ohio Council Welcomes 2 New Provider Members 

1. EMPOWER Behavioral Health & Intervention in Columbus, OH. Michele LaMarche, CEO can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (614) 470-2018. EMPOWER Behavioral Health & Intervention provides Autism Diagnosis and Autism Testing for children up to age 4, Full-day ABA Treatment, Mental Health Services, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Case Management, Therapeutic Behavior Services and Waiver Respite Programs to Franklin and contiguous counties. Click here to learn more about EMPOWER Behavioral Health & Intervention!

2. Recovery Services of Greater Dayton LLC in Moraine, OH. Taylor Roustio, CEO can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (937) 247-4717. Recovery Services of Greater Dayton LLC provides Intensive Outpatient Program, Individual Therapy, Case Management, Holistic Therapies & Spiritual Fitness, Harmony Housing and Life Skills for women in Montgomery County. Click here to learn more about Recovery Services of Greater Dayton LLC!

Judge Tosses ED’s ‘Professional’ Degree Definition, Likely Aiding Student Borrowers

A federal judge has tossed out the Education Department’s rule that strictly limited graduate students’ access to higher federal student loan borrowing limits, a victory for universities, health-advocacy groups and others who argued the policy could stop students from earning advanced nursing degrees and pursuing other crucial professions. 

The ruling, released late Wednesday night, centers on the definition of “professional” degree in Congress’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act and how the department narrowed that definition when it issued its rule implementing the law. Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia called the department’s approach “misguided." The lawsuits regarding the rule aren’t over—Howell technically stayed the rule “pending final resolution of this litigation”—and ED didn’t provide interviews Thursday on how it would respond to the decision. It’s unclear now which programs ED will deem professional and thus eligible for higher loan borrowing caps. The loan limits take effect July 1.

New CCBHC NOFOs: CCBHC-IA, CCBHC-PDI, CCBHC-Planning

1. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Improvement and Advancement
1. The purpose of this program is to sustain and enhance services at existing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). This includes serving individuals across the lifespan with or at risk for mental health and/or substance use disorders (SUDs). CCBHCs are community-based clinics that offer coordinated, evidence-based outpatient services, including crisis services, while also enhancing access for anyone in need and coordinating care to mitigate gaps in care.
2. Application Due Date: Monday, August 17, 2026
3. Anticipated Number of Awards: 117 Awards
4. Anticipated Total Available Funding: $117,160,647
2. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC): Planning, Development, and Implementation Grant
1. The purpose of this program is to develop and establish new Community Behavioral Health Clinics to address gaps in behavioral health services and improve the wellbeing of persons with mental health and substance use disorders.
2. Application Due Date: Monday, August 17, 2026
3. Anticipated Number of Awards: 94 Awards
4. Anticipated Total Available Funding: $94,000,000
3. Cooperative Agreements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic State Planning Grants
1. The purpose of the CCBHC State Planning Grants is to support states in: developing and implementing certification systems for CCBHCs; establishing Prospective Payment Systems (PPS) for Medicaid reimbursable behavioral health services; and preparing an application to participate in a four-year Section 223 CCBHC Demonstration program.
2. Application Due Date: Monday, August 17, 2026
3. Anticipated Number of Awards: 12 Awards
4. Anticipated Total Available Funding: $12,000,000

Click here to view the SAMHSA communication. 

ASPIRES Pilot Grant Program Summer Conference

Join us virtually or in-person for the 2026 ASPIRES Pilot Grant Program Summer Conference. Awardees will present findings from their projects and future directions. Click here to complete the registration form!