RFA Open Through Apr 1^st to Expand SUD Treatment in Adult & Family Drug Courts

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced a new notice of funding opportunity (NOFA) for Grants to Expand Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Capacity in Adult & Family Treatment Courts.  The deadline to apply is Monday, April 1^st, 2024.

The purpose of this program is to expand substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support services in existing drug courts. The program recognizes the need for treatment instead of incarceration for individuals with SUDs. Recipients are expected to provide prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services for individuals with SUD involved with the courts. With this program, SAMHSA aims to improve abstinence from substance use, housing stability, employment status, social connectedness, health/behavioral/social consequences, and reduce criminal justice involvement.

Anticipated Total Available Funding: $24,400,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: 61

Maximum Award Amount: Up to $400,000 per year for up to 5 years.

For questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Jon Berg at SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Division of Service Improvement at (240) 276-1609 or by email at [email protected].

Questions regarding grants management or budget issues can be forwarded it [email protected].

OhioMHAS Releases National Accreditation Crosswalks for BH Services

The National Accreditation Crosswalks for community behavioral health services providers are now available. The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services’ (OhioMHAS) Licensure and Certification division collaborated with the three national accreditation bodies to align OhioMHAS-certified services with the appropriate national accreditation standards for CARF International, Council on Accreditation (COA), and the Joint Commission (TJC).

The crosswalks support the House Bill 33 statutory requirements for new and currently certified community behavioral health services providers to obtain national accreditation.  National Accreditation is currently required for the following behavioral health services: Assertive Community Treatment; Behavioral Health Hotline; Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment; Crisis Intervention; Employment Services; General Services; Intensive Home-Based Treatment; Mental Health Day Treatment; Qualified Residential Treatment Programs; Residential and Withdrawal Management; Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services; SUD Case Management; SUD Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) for Youth; Therapeutic Behavioral Services & Psychosocial Rehabilitation. National Accreditation is currently optional for Prevention Services.

Provider organizations can view the crosswalks for their individual accrediting bodies below:

• Crosswalk of OhioMHAS Certified Services & The Joint Commission National Accreditation Standards
• Crosswalk of OhioMHAS Certified Services & CARF National Accreditation Standards
• Crosswalk of MHAS Certified Services & Council on Accreditation (COA) National Accreditation Standards

Visit the OhioMHAS National Accreditation Website HERE for additional information and to view the crosswalks.

Thousands Submit Comments to OhioMHAS on Proposed Rules Governing Transgender Health Care

Thousands of people sent emails to the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services during the comment period for a proposed administrative rule that would change health care treatment of those with gender dysphoria, including adults. People submitted more than 6,800 pages of emails to MHAS regarding Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed rule, according to records obtained by the Capital Journal. DeWine told reporters on Tuesday there will be revisions to the proposed administrative rule that will be announced in the next couple of days. “We’re looking at those comments,” he said. “We’ve listened to those comments. We never had any intention to limit access.” People who sent emails raised many concerns ranging from saying how folks will leave Ohio to saying how care should be between a patient and their doctor. Others said how this will overwhelm an already overburdened medical system. 

Ohio Senate Overrides DeWine Vetoes on Trans Youth Gender-Affirming Care and Local Tobacco Bans

The Ohio Senate voted to override two of Gov. Mike DeWine’s vetoes Wednesday — one on a bill blocking gender-affirming care for trans youth and the other blocking cities from banning flavored tobacco sales.

Both laws are now set to take effect at the end of April. The Senate voted 24-8 to override DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68, which blocks gender-affirming care for trans youth and prevents transgender athletes from playing women’s sports.

The bill prohibits transgender youth from starting hormone therapy and puberty blockers. A three-fifths majority vote from the members of the House and Senate is necessary to override the governor’s veto. The Ohio House voted to override HB 68 earlier this month and voted to override the flavored tobacco ban in December. The laws are set to go into effect 90 days after they are delivered to the Secretary of State’s office, meaning it would likely take effect April 23.