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COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 13, 2022 – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services Director Lori Criss, and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner announced today that the state intends to commit $85 million in federal Medicaid home and community-based services COVID-related funds to expand, enhance, and strengthen Ohio’s community behavioral health system through workforce education initiatives.
The governor’s plan aims to expand and strengthen education and training opportunities at Ohio’s two- and four-year community colleges and further facilitate partnerships with community-based behavioral health programs. Funds will be used to create scholarships, paid internships, and supervision opportunities, making it easier and more affordable for new professionals to start careers in mental health and substance use disorder treatment through academic degree programs.
Read the Governor's Full Announcement of the Plan
“This important, one-time investment is exciting and will lay the foundation to fulfill decades of promises to build an accessible, high-quality community mental health and substance use disorder system of care. More options for entering careers in behavioral health will mean more new clinicians to help patients in need,” said Teresa Lampl, CEO of The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers. “We are grateful that Governor DeWine is acting on the behavioral health system’s workforce crisis, and we look forward to collaborating with him and the General Assembly on a long-term plan to realize the vision of a robust and valued behavioral health workforce.”
The announcement follows DeWine’s call in his 2022 State of the State address for a “giant step forward” in Ohio’s community-based behavioral health system with long-term investments to make high-quality care visible, accessible, and effective for families in their local communities.
Ohio’s behavioral health care workforce has been stretched thin by historic demand and unprecedented workforce shortages, leading to longer wait times for care across the state. The crisis, its impacts, and recommended policy solutions are explored in “Breaking Point: Ohio’s Behavioral Health Workforce Crisis,” a report distributed in February 2022 by The Ohio Council.
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About The Ohio Council: The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers is a statewide trade and advocacy association representing more than 160 community-based, private businesses that provide prevention, addiction treatment, mental health, and family services. For more information, visit www.theohiocouncil.org.
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