The Latest Updates: MaY 2024
This Month We Recognize
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. Established in 1949, this month we work to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. If you need mental health support, seeking help is always an option. Visit samhsa.gov/find-help to learn more.
May is National Foster Care Month. An estimated 50 percent of all children in foster care are placed there due to parental substance use. Additionally, foster youth who transition out of care without strong connections are more likely to have a substance use or mental health disorder. The National Foster Care Month campaign recognizes the important role that people from all parts of child welfare play in supporting children, youth, and families. Visit childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth to learn more.
May 7 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Now in its third year, National Fentanyl Awareness Day brings together individuals, organizations, businesses and government to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and help put an end to this emergency. Visit FentanylAwarenessDay.org to learn more.
May 12-18 is National Prevention Awareness Week. Over 1 in 4 adults with a serious mental health problem also have a substance use issue. National Prevention Week 2024 is highlighting the nationwide efforts and initiatives to prevent substance use and promote mental health. Visit samhsa.gov/prevention-week to learn more.
Executive Director Update
I was once again reminded of the strength, commitment, and professionalism of Ohio’s behavioral health community as we kicked off the OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s initial grant application window.
The number and quality of applications received was, indeed, impressive and a reflection of the variety and dedication of those on the frontlines combatting the addiction epidemic. With the closing of the grant application window earlier this month, I am excited to report that more than 1,500 funding applications from nearly 800 different organizations were submitted. Each one represents a beacon of hope in our shared mission to combat this crisis.
Now, as these applications undergo thorough review by each region, followed by evaluation by the Foundation’s Expert Panel and Grant Oversight Committee, we eagerly anticipate the transformative impact the winning projects will have. Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, and award announcements are expected to begin mid-summer 2024.
We know we received more innovative ideas from committed organizations than there are resources to fund them in this initial round, but the Foundation is in this for the long haul and has the resources to make a difference. Looking ahead, we are excited about the healing work that lies before us and are committed to ensuring that this process remains fully accessible and transparent. Together, we will continue to forge ahead, united in our dedication to building a healthier, more resilient Ohio.
-Alisha Nelson, Executive Director – OneOhio Recovery Foundation
2024 Regional Grant Cycle - What’s Next?
On May 3, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s 2024 Regional Grant Cycle closed its application window, and the organization is now set to award as much as much as $51 million dollars this year to support evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts across the state.
Upon initial review, a total of 1,530 applications were submitted by 797 different organizations, and 48 percent of the proposals seek to serve multiple OneOhio Regions. Of the proposals submitted, 415 requested $100,000 or less. Each proposal must align with one or more Ohio Abatement Strategies, and upon initial review, more than 400 proposals focus on recovery supports, more than 300 on prevention and nearly 300 on treatment and healthcare services. (Note: Numbers are subject to change following application database review and cleanup to remove duplicate or incomplete submissions.)
So, what’s next?
The OneOhio staff is working closely with the 19 OneOhio Regions to establish and prepare Grant Review Committees for the review process. Members of the Grant Review Committees have been provided the training and resources necessary to oversee the first round of funding application reviews, and we are working to ensure all necessary checks are completed to identify and prevent conflicts of interest before the review process begins. Each Regional Grant Review Committee is tasked with diligently reviewing, scoring and recommending funding for projects within their respective regions, and these recommendations will then be shared with the Expert Panel.
The Foundation’s Expert Panel will then conduct a technical review of the recommended funding proposals, ensuring all are supported by evidence-based practices and align with the Ohio Abatement Strategies. The Expert Panel will then share its findings with the OneOhio Grant Oversight Committee.
The OneOhio Grant Oversight Committee will utilize the Region and Expert Panel input to recommend proposals for final approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis with award announcements expected to begin mid-summer 2024.
A diagram of the full grant application review process is available here. Updates will be provided to applicants, directly via email and on our website, as the application review process moves forward. We also encourage applicants to attend or watch our upcoming Board of Directors meetings to get the latest updates. All meeting information is available at OneOhioFoundation.com/Meetings.
OneOhio Around the State
Over the past three months, OneOhio hosted several events, informational webinars and trainings to help organizations prepare to apply for the Foundation’s first-ever round of grant funding. We enjoyed meeting with more than 350 stakeholders at our Information Sessions in Regions 1, 2, 7 and 17, and we appreciate the more than 960 individuals who logged on for the virtual grant applicant trainings. Our team also hosted a series of virtual Impact Academy events focused on recovery housing, recovery support services, prevention, and evidence base. Attendance for these webinars exceeded 1,300! If you weren’t able to join an Impact Academy live, you can watch the recordings on our website at OneOhioFoundation.com/ImpactAcademy.
On May 21st, OneOhio Executive Director Alisha Nelson will attend the Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s Behavioral Health Summit and provide brief remarks prior to the Building Bridges to Success: Employing Individuals in Recovery panel discussion. We hope to see you there!
Additionally, OneOhio is proud to sponsor Ohio’s 2024 Mental Health & Addiction Conference: Building the System of Care taking place in Columbus on June 3 and 4. Our team looks forward to seeing more than 1,000 prevention, treatment and recovery partners at this one-of-a-kind event! If you plan to attend, please stop by our booth.
To stay informed about upcoming events, please visit OneOhioFoundation.com/Events.
OneOhio Mission Moment
As they reflect on their service and mission, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s Board of Directors take a moment at the beginning of each meeting to recognize Ohioans impacted by the opioid epidemic.
Angela Rahman
At the April meeting, Region 14 Board Member Greta Mayer shared the story of Angela Rahman, a member of the Mental Health Recovery Board Serving Warren and Clinton Counties who lost her daughter, Amber, nearly seven years ago. Amber was 11 days shy of her 22nd birthday when she relapsed and died of an overdose. Read Angela’s story here.
Ted St John
In May, OneOhio Board Member Ted St John (Region 13) shared his personal journey from drug and alcohol addiction to sobriety. Today, Ted commits his life to helping others as CEO of Hope Town, which provides recovery housing for men and women. Watch Ted share his story here:
OneOhio In the News
Last week, Director Nelson met with the Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition’s Board of Directors. She also presented at Stepping Up Ohio’s Steering Committee meeting and at the Public Children Services Association of Ohio’s Annual Conference.
In Case You Missed It:
Board Appoints New Officers: At its annual meeting held on May 8, the OneOhio Board of Directors elected the following officers to a new two-year term:
Don Mason (Region 12) – Chair
Julie Ehemann (Region 15) – Vice Chair
Michael Roizen (Statewide) – Treasurer
Keith Hochadel (Region 6) – Secretary
2024 Board Meeting Schedule (All meetings begin at 10:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted.)
June 12
July 10 at 9 a.m.
August 14
September 11
October 9
November 6
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Executive Committee
May 22 at 9 a.m.
June 26 at 9 a.m.
July 24 at 9 a.m.
Personnel Committee
June 6 at 3 p.m.
Grant Oversight Committee
May 22 at 3 p.m.
June 12 at 9:30 a.m.
June 26 at 3 p.m.
Expert Panel
June 6 at 2 p.m.
June 20 at 2 p.m.
For more details, visit OneOhioFoundation.com/Meetings.
Stay Informed & Share Your Thoughts
Join us as we host stakeholder meetings and listening sessions across Ohio– more information coming soon! In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to send us your ideas and thoughts using our online contact form.
Encourage your friends and colleagues to sign up for updates from OneOhio so they’re receiving information regarding the upcoming grant process and other important news.
Follow OneOhio on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube, and help us share the latest Foundation news with others across the state.
Tune into the Foundation’s Board of Directors and committee meetings, which are always open to the public and posted on our website.
