Archive Updated January 2021
NEW RESOURCE FOR CLINICIANS DURING COVID-19
Conversations and Resources on Covid-19 | The Institute for Innovation & Implementation
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Over the past two weeks we have held a number of conversations to support your work during COVID-19. Each conversation—crisis communications, in-home behavioral health, supporting families, residential care, infant and early childhood mental health, and mobile response and stabilization—has had a large turnout and active online participation. Access the recordings here. We continue to plan new conversations to address the challenges of today and to create forward-looking solutions for a brighter tomorrow. And we are working on new resources based on your questions. Please visit Conversations & Resources on COVID-19 and sign up for our new dedicated email list.
COVID-19 and System of Care Practice Guidance | FOR Mental Health and Recovery Frontline Providers
Update Memo From Director Criss Regarding Telehealth Services (March 18, 2020)
At this time, there is no guidance specific to behavioral healthcare. Use the guidance found through coronavirus.ohio.gov which links to the CDC and the most up to date information on protecting healthcare workers.•We expect that the ODM and OhioMHASrules and the accompanying Executive Order will be issued imminently. •We urge you to begin using telehealth to reach out to the adults and families in your care. •Document the decisions you are making with your own policies and protocol, and we will continue to work together to implement the practice and emergency rules once filed.•It is vital that you communicate to your community partners and the general public which programs and services remain open in your behavioral healthcare organization. Publish your phone numbers and other contact information.•Reach out to current clients through email or by phone. People need to know that behavioral health is open for business. – Courtesy of Project ECHO, a program with the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
View Project ECHO Video Presentation | View PowerPoint Presentation | Download PDF
ALSO: Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, CIP is postponing our regular training series and learning communities effective March 13, 2020. CIP will proceed with small meetings/smaller booster trainings/ fidelity reviews that allow for appropriate social distancing, and when collaboratively agreed upon between the participants and CIP. When possible, we will provide our services by web-based/conference call alternatives. Given that this is a fluid situation, it is difficult to project when we will be able to return to our regular in-person trainings and events. We will base these decisions on recommendations from the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC.
For Teens In Crisis Seeking Support, “Hey, I’m Here” Is a Place to Turn
Youth dealing with challenges to their mental wellness, especially during current times of crisis and concern, can find like-minded young people v
ia, “Hey, I’m Here.” As the video says, “When you need support, every second matters and it’s important to know that you are not alone.”
View ‘You’re Not Alone’ Video | Visit ‘Hey, I’m Here’ Website
Contact via Instagram @HeyImHereOhio | Email imhere@heyimhere.org
“Hey, I’m Here” is part of Ohio’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), helping children, youth, and their families who are experiencing an emotional or behavioral stressor by interrupting immediate crisis and ensuring youth and their families are safe. MRSS provides the support and skills necessary to return youth and families to typical functioning. | Learn More about MRSS |
The wraparound process is a way to improve the lives of children with complex needs and their families. It is not a program or a type of service, but a team based planning process used to develop plans of care that are individualized based on the strengths and culture of the children and their family. The plan is needs-driven rather than service-driven, although a plan may incorporate existing categorical services, if appropriate to meet the needs of the consumer.

January 30, 31 & February 6 (Northeast Region) COMPLETED | POSTPONED-TO BE RESCHEDULED February 18, 19, & 25 | POSTPONED-May 6, 7, & 13 (Location TBD) | August 18, 19, & 25 (Location TBD) HERE

Proven results for families and communities
In today’s era of tight budgets and demands for high accountability, states feel the pressure to invest in programs that will give them the most bang for their buck. The best way to meet these demands is by investing in evidence-based programs (EBPs) where research demons. Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is the leading EBP in the field of juvenile justice. Whereas traditional approaches to treating delinquent youths— such as incarceration and out-of-home placements — are tremendously costly and ineffective, MST’s effectiveness has been proven time and again. MST has been proven effective over the course of decades, not months. Long term follow-up studies found that MST reduces rearrests by 54% over 14 years, violent felony arrests by 75% over 22 years and caregiver felony arrests by 94%. The treatment generates a net benefit of up to $200,000 per youth.While MST’s track record is impressive, the challenge of implementing a new evidence-based practice can be intimidating. To help states overcome that challenge, and better visualize how they can start successful MST programs in their communities, MST Services has compiled this State Success Guide. The guide outlines how five states implemented MST, and what lessons they learned. Read Full Report
Over the last several years, data has emerged indicating an



To better reach, inform, serve Ohio’s children, youth and families facing complex mental health, substance use, and behavioral challenges, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) offers Project ECHO as part of the State of Ohio’s Wraparound Ohio Systems of Care initiative.The Project ECHO team of experts and specialists has met – and continues to convene, the first and third Thursdays of the month to address various topics of along with opportunities to present complex cases and to receive written recommendations from multidisciplinary experts; opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills to manage complex conditions in their own communities and to be part of a community of practice; brief lectures and case-based learning on topics of special interest; and free, convenient continuing professional education. You are invited to view video of each individual session and the topics addressed thus far by clicking the presentations link below. View Video of Sessions | Learn More About Project ECHO
A New Resource Brief from the National Wraparound Initiative | May 2019
Wraparound Evidence and Endorsements and the Family First Services Act (FFPSA)
With states working toward implementation of the new federal law, the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), there are new opportunities for using Wraparound to avoid placing children in foster care, to prevent placement disruption for children in adoption and kinship guardian homes, and to meet the mental health, substance use and related needs of at-risk children and their families/caregivers. A recent publication from Casey Family Programs lists Wraparound among the interventions and programs that could be considered “well supported” by research (the highest classification) under the FFPSA (page ix in the linked document).
The most current thorough review of the evidence for Wraparound can be found in this peer-reviewed article, “A Comprehensive Review of Wraparound Care Coordination Research, 1986 – 2014,” which appeared in the Journal of Child and Family Studies in 2017. A short summary of key findings from that review is also available. Highlights from the review include:
– Fifteen of the 22 studies showed positive results of Wraparound compared to the control or comparison condition.
– Cost-effectiveness studies make a compelling case for Wraparound’s ability to dramatically shift service use patterns toward more community-based care and reduce use of congregate care, which are key goals of FFPSA, and to reduce overall costs of services.
– We now have a reasonable basis for concluding that, when implemented well, and for an appropriate population, Wraparound is likely to produce positive youth, system, and cost outcomes.
There is now have a reasonable basis for concluding that, when implemented well, and for an appropriate population, Wraparound is likely to produce positive youth, system, and cost outcomes.
New Webinar | A National Perspective on the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
An Innovative Conversations Webinar with Sheila Pires
Guest Sheila Pires, Managing Partner, Human Service Collaborative Core Partner, National TA Network for Children’s Behavioral Health, speaks with former CIP Director and Innovative Conversations host, Patrick Kanary present a national perspective discussing the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFSPA). It is the first installment of a two-part discussion, the second of which will explore Family First from a state-wide perspective with specialists from Ohio. This session involves the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) and what it means to states funding in-home treatment and recovery for at-risk you dealing with the challenges of mental health, substance use, trauma, and judicial justice issues.
View Video of Webinar Session | Learn More about FFPSA
Healthy Kids Learning Community Training and Dissemination Series
Throughout the past year, the Healthy Kids Learning Community project has provided a platform and presented tool kits, trainings, webinars, and interactive forums for sharing concerns and promising practices in relation to Ohio’s youth and families impacted by the opioid epidemic, hopefully increasing collaboration with child welfare agencies, substance abuse treatment providers and the court system to improve outcomes for children, parents, families, providers, and supporters. The Center for Innovative Practice (CIP) collaborated in partnership with OhioMHAS and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Trauma-Informed Care Initiative. Learn More
CIP PRESENTS HEALTHY KIDS LEARNING COMMUNITY WEBINARS | 2018-19
One of the immediate missions of the Healthy Kids Learning Community initiative has been to create an accessible, continuing resource for clinicians and caregivers dealing with the surmounting crises and dimensions that has occurred during the Ohio opiate epidemic over the past half decade. In keeping with this mission, the Center for Innovative Practices, in collaboration with WraparoundOhio.org and the Healthy Kids Learning Community initiative, partnered with some of Ohio’s foremost experts in their respective fields to lend their perspectives via their areas of expertise in a community share for the Buckeye State’s youth, families, clinicians, and various stakeholders dealing with the challenges and recovery of those youth and families. Below is the five-session series, exploring the various facets of the crisis, notably including various ways to help service provider staff avoid burnout and turnover. Learn more about complete 6-part series
2. View Understanding Opioid Addiction Webinar here
3. View Trauma Informed Biographical Timeline Webinar here
4. View Urban Zen Avoiding Burnout in High Stress Work Environments Webinar here
5. View The Opioid Crisis and the Impact on Families and Children Part 2 Webinar here
6. View Healthy Kids Learning Community Facilitated Discussions On the Opioid Crisis in Ohio here
CIP Introduces Innovative Conversations Initiative
The Center for Innovative Practices (CIP), part of the Begun Center for Violence Prevention at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, and in partnership with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, has developed a new resource initiative entitled, Innovative Conversations, facilitated discussions with national experts in children’s behavioral health and systems of care Hosted by first CIP director Patrick Kanary, the series also examines how Wraparound Systems of Care can better facilitate how integrated treatment can help yield optimal outcomes with youth recovery.
SESSION 1 | Evolution of the System of Care Approach
Beth Stroul provides an overview and history of Systems of Care, a spectrum of effective, community-based services and supports for children and youth with or at risk for behavioral health or other challenges and their families, that is organized into a coordinated network, builds meaningful partnerships with families and youth, and addresses their cultural and linguistic needs, in order to help them to function better at home, in school, in the community, and throughout life.. Click here to learn more | Click here to listen
CURES Kids Healthy Learning Community 2018-19 Trainings
One of the most fortifying facets of the past year’s initiative has been working with two of the nation’s most distinguished experts in their respective fields, via both webinars (which can be viewed below) and in-person trainings through Ohio’s five regions, which drew capacity crowds. The training events and workshops helped increase caregiver skills, support our communities and identify strategies to protect our children and youth.
Here is a brief overview of our trainings featuring Sarah Buffie and Marcia Miller.
Trauma Informed Biographical Timeline (TIBT)
Trauma-Informed Biographical Timelines (TIBT) is an assessment and planning process that increases empathy and supports the whole person. The TIBT can be used within, and potentially shared across, any of our child-serving systems: child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, education, health care.
View Sarah Buffie’s webinars
:View Trauma Informed Biographical Timeline Webinar | View FAQs Trauma Informed Biographical Timeline Follow-Up Session | View Five-Minute Hand Brain Takeaway with Sarah Buffie
Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT)
The Center for Innovative Practices (CIP), WraparoundOhio and the Healthy Kids Learning Community teamed up with Marcia Miller (pictured right) presenting a series of trainings involving Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT), Marcia provided UZIT overviews as well as basic strategies for alleviating stress, particularly stress brought on by trauma. Her webinar and trainings also focused as much on caregivers and clinicians as patients, notably at a time when the levels of burnout and turnover in the youth recovery field are experiencing a significant rise, especially among new highers unaccustomed to the overwhelming youth and families needs brought on by the opiate crisis.
View Marcia Miller’s webinar
View Marcia Miller’s Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Webinar | Learn More about Urban Zen Integrative Therapy | Learn More about Marcia Miller and UZIT
Webinar | Milwaukee County’s Mobile Crisis Response Services (MRSS)
Chris Morano, PhD is the Director of Mobile Emergency Mental Health Services for Milwaukee County Children and families. Dr. Morano has been in the crisis intervention field for nearly 20 years, and runs the largest mobile mental health unit in the country, through Wraparound Milwaukee. Milwaukee County’s Mobile Crisis Response Services were developed over 20 years ago as part of development of Wraparound Milwaukee, the county’s System of Care(SOC) for children with serious emotional and mental health needs. Named the Mobile Urgent Treatment Team, it began as a service to children in Wraparound with the primary goal to keep youth enrolled in the SOC at home and out of inpatient psychiatric care unless truly neeed.
Learn More | View Webinar
Systems of Care (SOC) Summit
The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Ohio Department of Disabilities hosted the inaugural Systems of Care (SOC) Summit in September in Columbus with the theme, “Systems of Care – It’s About People Who Care”, designed to highlight the importance of collaboration in improving Ohio’s care giver systems in meeting the needs of children, youth, young adults with developmental challenges and mental health and/or substance use challenges and the families who care for them. There were over two-dozen presentations from experts across the nation.
To review individual speakers and presentations, click here.
Crisis Text Line
The Crisis Text Line provides Ohioans with a state-specific keyword to access its free, confidential service available 24/7 via text on mobile devices. Text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741 to be connected to a person trained to help.
| Learn More |
OhioMHAS Engage 2.0 Grant Summary
In December 2016 the MHRSB of Lucas County partnered with the Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Services Board and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to submit a System of Care Expansion and Sustainability Cooperative Agreement Grant to SAMHSA. The grant, titled Engage 2.0 built upon the collaborative relationships that have developed regionally around the original Engage Grant communities previously facilitated by Boards in Northwest and Southwest Ohio, and the Family and Children’s First Councils within those Board regions.
Learn More | View Powerpoint Presentation