Budget Restrictions, Staff Issues and AI are Threats to States’ Cybersecurity

Many state chief information and security officers say they don’t have the budget, resources, staff or expertise to feel fully confident in their ability to guard their government networks against cyberattacks, according to a new Deloitte & Touche survey of officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The recently released biennial cybersecurity report outlined where new threats are coming from, and what vulnerabilities these teams have. Governments are relying more on servers to store information, or transmit it through the Internet, and all of the connected online systems create more opportunities for attack. The emergence of AI is also creating new ways for bad actors to exploit vulnerabilities, as it makes phishing scams and audio and visual deepfakes easier. The report laid out some tactics tech departments could use to navigate these challenges, including leaning on government partners, working creatively to boost budgets, diversifying their talent pipeline, continuing the AI policy conversations and promoting the CISOs role in digital transformation of government operations.

Applications Open – Great Minds Fellowship Workforce Commitment Incentive Program

The Ohio Department of Higher Education has opened applications for the Great Minds Fellowship Workforce Incentive Program, which provides loan repayment up to $20,000 on behalf of new graduates that commit to working at a community behavioral health center for a least one year of full-time (32 hours per week) employment. 

To be eligible to apply for the Great Minds Fellowship Workforce Commitment Incentive Program, an applicant must:

• Have graduated or received certification between May 1, 2023 and January 6, 2025 from one of the following academic programs: Marriage and Family Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling or related academic program. Note: Academic program relatedness will be determined by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
• Be currently employed at an eligible Ohio Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) in a direct care position OR have an employment offer with a start date no later than January 6, 2025 from an eligible Ohio Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) in a direct care position.
• Commit to at least one year of full-time employment at an eligible Ohio CBHC in a direct care position.
• Full-time is defined as an average of 32 hours or more.
• Successful applicants will be required to provide verification of employment at the one-year mark.

The application is available and must be submitted by November 15, 2024.  Applicants will need to fill out the application form completely and email the form and a digital copy of their college or university transcript demonstrating graduation date and academic program to [email protected].

Great Minds Fellowship - Workforce Commitment Incentive Program Application (PDF)

We strongly encourage you to share this information with any employee or student that has or will complete their degree between May 2023 and January 6, 2025 that will be or is currently employed full-time.  This is a great, one-time opportunity for loan forgiveness.  More information and an FAQ can be found here. 

New Ohio Medicaid Subscription Service

Ohio Medicaid has added a new subscription service for news releases.  To make sure you don’t miss a communication, visit Ohio Department of Medicaid - Sign-up for the latest releases from Ohio Department of Medicaid (govdelivery.com).  Add your e-mail address and you will receive an e-mail confirmation from Ohio Medicaid that you are subscribed.  From there, you will then be able to review and confirm your subscriptions to the available Medicaid communications. 

Menu of Supports Funding Opportunity

Treatment Foster Homes, residential and group home facilities, and kinship caregivers may be eligible.

Overview:

The new Menu of Supports Funding Opportunity empowers community agencies and foster/kinship caregivers to meet emergent needs of children involved in Ohio’s children services system. Through a financial incentive approach, this opportunity will increase the availability of placement options to serve children in need of placement. 

The Menu of Supports Funding Opportunity is administered by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth through a contract with Ohio Children's Alliance.

This opportunity focuses on providing funding in three key areas:

• Pathway 1: Increased Utilization of Residential and Group Homes
• Goal: Support the increase residential treatment congregate care beds to meet the needs of Ohio’s high-need youth.
• Pathway 2: Treatment Foster Parent and Approved Kinship Caregiver Supports
• Goal: Increase and retain treatment foster homes and kinship caregivers for Ohio’s youth.
• Pathway 3: Transition of Youth Residing in a PCSA or in Hospitals
• Goal: Prioritize placement stability for difficult-to-place Ohio youth.

Given the scope of this opportunity, there are extensive details regarding eligibility, timelines, funding availability, reporting obligations, and application procedures. While not required, interested applicants are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions to learn more.

Session Details:

Don’t miss the chance to gain valuable insights about the Menu of Supports funding opportunity.  ​​​​​​​

• Residential and Group Home Providers
  (Recommended Attendees: Residential and Group Home Administrators)
• October 1, 2024, from 3:00-4:30 PM
• Registration is required, please click to register.

• PCSA Custodial Information Session
  (Recommended Attendees: Managers and Supervisors responsible for placing children who are in PCSA custody)
• October 2, 2024, from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM
• Registration is required, please click to register.

• Foster and Kinship Recommending Agencies Information Session
  (Recommended Attendees: Managers and Supervisors who are responsible for licensing and approving treatment foster caregivers and kinship caregivers; organizations and associations that work directly with foster and kinship providers)
• October 3, 2024, from 9:00 AM - 10:30 PM
• Registration is required, please click to register

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the virtual informational session.