OACFA Newsletter
Download the latest newsletter from the Ohio Adult Care Facilities Association. This edition is jam-packed with lots of great information and updates, you don’t want to miss it!
Advocacy Alert! – We need your help!
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NAMI Ohio Call to Action – Ohio House Budget a Disaster for Mental HealthGovernor DeWine’s Budget made great strides in the funding of much needed mental health services. It is our understanding that the amended House version of the Budget Bill for FY 24-25 (HB 33) will go to the House floor early next week for vote. Much of the progress made in the Governor’s budget was eliminated in the House Budget. The increase to Residential State Supplement (RSS), funding for prevention and criminal justice services, the increase to local ADAMH Boards, and the increase for behavioral health Medicaid rates were significantly reduced. In addition, the House has reduced the request of the Governor for the expansion of beds within our state hospital system. It is vital that your State Representative hears from you today or tomorrow! We need the voice of individuals with mental illness, their family members and those that want a quality of life for all Ohioans to speak up. Call or Email your member of the Ohio House of Representatives today!
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When you email or call your representative, the following are the key issues that need to be amended in the proposed HB 33 |
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Key Issues with the ask in the amended House Budget Bill: NAMI Ohio’s advocacy is to restore the mental health budget as introduced by Governor DeWine. Although all these key issues are important, NAMI Ohio’s number one priority is restoring the residential state supplement.
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The State Budget for FY 2022/2023 moved us forward, and the as-introduced Governor’s DeWine’s budget 2024/2025 took a leap forward to just catch up to the surge in demand for services and supports. THE AMENDED HOUSE BUDGET REVERSES THESE SMALL GAINS MADE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND ENSURES THAT A PERSON-CENTERED COMMUNITY SYSTEM CANNOT AND WILL NOT BE BUILT. Never in the history of this country has there been more awareness of the need to fix a broken mental health system. We cannot allow this opportunity to be lost. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Thank you for your consideration of this request and thank you for the work you do on behalf of all Ohioans. If you have any questions about this letter or about community mental health services, please feel free to contact me. As the House finalizes the budget bill and it moves to the Senate, we will be asking you again to make your voice heard with your Senators. Please contact me with any comments or questions. The individuals NAMI Ohio loves, cares for, and represents need our advocacy. |
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Sincerely, |
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Luke Russell, Executive Director luke@namiohio.org |
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NAMI Ohio joins Gov. DeWine as He Vows to Bring Mental Illness Out of the “Shadows” in State of the State Message
COLUMBUS, OH: Gov. Mike DeWine outlined broad improvements to the mental health system in his State of the State speech, vowing to bring Ohioans with mental illness out of the shadows. “NAMI Ohio will be working with Governor DeWine and the General Assembly to develop a support system that gives hope to those with mental illness and their families.” NAMI Ohio Executive Director Luke Russell shared while leaving the Statehouse.
“We must face the fact that no Ohioan will ever fully live up to their potential or be able to lead purposeful and meaningful lives if their mental illness remains in the shadows and untreated,” Gov. DeWine said in his annual priorities address at the Statehouse. It was the first of his second term as governor.
As he first noted late last year, Gov. DeWine said the nation and Ohio, “despite the good intentions of the past,” have not fulfilled promises first made in the 1960’s to develop a community-based mental health system after the downsizing of psychiatric hospitals led to the release of thousands of patients into the community.
Gov. DeWine quoted former South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu who said, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”
“To make meaningful change, we must figure out why so many of our fellow Ohioans keep falling into that proverbial river and finally get to the root causes of mental illness and addiction,” the governor said. “NAMI Ohio appreciates the Governor recognizing our river is reoccurring inpatient hospital stays, prisons and jails, homeless shelters and the shadows of the streets across Ohio,” said Russell.
NAMI Ohio Executive Director Luke Russell responded enthusiastically to the governor’s mental health initiative.
“Gov. DeWine has continued to prioritize mental health, and NAMI Ohio asks the General Assembly to join this effort,” Russell said. “Every family is impacted since one out of five Ohioans has a serious mental illness.”
“The governor spoke about breaking the stigma of mental health. That time is Now! NAMI Ohio joins the governor in initiating the change needed,” Russell said.
Russell underlined Gov. DeWine’s commitment that boosting Ohioans with mental illness is “simply the right thing to do. NAMI Ohio agrees and wants to ensure the 500,000 people that get treatment can find the supports to reduce the revolving door of those moving in and out of emergency room, inpatient hospitals, jails, prisons and homeless shelters.”
The governor’s plan also includes creation of the State of Ohio Action for Resiliency (SOAR) Network to involve doctors, mental health counselors and others to support and how to improve services.
Gov. DeWine’s 55-minute speech to a joint session of the Ohio General Assembly outlined his priorities in mental health, education, housing, public safety, water quality and other areas. He discussed aspects of his proposed state biennial budget which was submitted Tuesday and must be approved by the legislature by June 30.
A major part of his speech focused on improvements in mental health treatment and research.
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- Building a community care system that increases prevention efforts
- Offering better crisis response services and treatment options
- Growing our behavioral health workforce
- Focusing on much-needed research and innovation
- Delivering treatment and counseling services either in person or through telehealth visits to people in their homes and workplaces
- Boosting suicide prevention to end the needless loss of our brothers and sisters.
- Supporting the youngest Ohioans at the earliest sign of a behavioral health need
- Expanding crisis care and the new 9-8-8 hotline so fewer Ohioans land in the emergency room
- Increasing access to state hospitals and private psychiatric hospitals to ease stress on families, emergency departments, courts, and jails
- Making a one-time investment to expand the pediatric behavioral health care system to address the shortage of behavioral health professionals serving children
“Ohioans don’t wait for others to solve our problems. It’s not who we are; it’s not in our DNA. Our history is when we have a problem, we figure out solutions. Then the rest of the world follows Ohio.”
“Each of us knows someone who is struggling,” the governor continued. “Maybe you have a friend who is depressed or anxious about the future. Maybe your brother or sister has schizophrenia, but you’ve never told your friends because you’re too embarrassed.” NAMI Ohio shared 1 in 5 Ohioans have a serious mental illness; each and every family is impacted.
A Call for Help: NAMI Ohio Answered
Mary’s sister had been in a Columbus psychiatric hospital for two weeks this past summer, and despite daily calls to the hospital, Mary had been unable to reach the hospital treatment staff.
Not once. In two weeks.
As days passed, Mary, who lives in Marietta, Ohio, 125 miles from Columbus, grew increasingly worried about her sister who had been hospitalized several times in the past to treat her bi-polar disorder.
This time was different, however. Mary’s sister had never suggested suicide before, saying she was “too chicken” to take her own life.
“I’m not chicken anymore,” she told Mary in a phone call from the hospital. She did not feel like she was ready to go home, but the hospital staff planned to release her the next day.
Now fearful, Mary called the Washington County Behavioral Health Board in Marietta where she was referred to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio Helpline (800 686-2646 or Text NAMI to 741741).
A short time later, Mary talked by phone to Danielle Smart, NAMI Ohio Client Navigator, who handles the majority of helpline calls.
“Danielle helped so much,” Mary said. “She called the hospital and they returned her call right away. The hospital director of treatment called me the next morning.”
As a result of NAMI’s help, Mary’s sister was transferred to a different hospital wing with more intensive counseling where she remained for another 10 days before being released to safely return home.
“I feel so grateful I made that call and that Danielle listened to me actively,” Mary said. “Everything went to plan about what she said after that.”
Call NAMI. They’ll be able to help.
Mary’s call was one of more than 2,500 contacts to the NAMI Ohio Helpline since March of 2022 when the Client Navigator role was created.
NAMI Ohio Executive Director Luke Russell said the organization “has operated a Help/Referral line for years. We have always wanted people calling to have a real person they could talk with and guide them to the best resource.”
Helpline calls were answered by NAMI’s trained staff, but the duty rotated, with many calls being handled personally by the executive director.
This year, Luke continued, “the need arose for someone with social work and clinical skills to be added to handle the increase in tough calls from individuals and families in serious need of mental health services and supports.”
That resulted in the hiring of Danielle Smart as NAMI Client Navigator and, with it, the formalized, private tracking of calls detailing the problem, actions and results.
“The opportunity to have someone answer and follow up on calls came about with some extra funding from the COVID19 dollars and the NAMI Ohio Board prioritizing this role as we advocate for an increase in care management and coordination for those most in need,” Luke said. “The mission at NAMI Ohio is to educate, advocate and support individuals with mental illness and their families, and the role of the Client Navigator directly supports those we are here to represent.”
Danielle is the main point of contact for those contacting NAMI Ohio seeking services, support, education, housing, and crisis intervention services. Her job includes building strong relationships with NAMI staff and the statewide network of affiliates, 2committing to removing barriers to care by identifying critical resources for individuals and families, assessing needs of callers to NAMI Ohio’s crisis line, and doing follow-ups to see that needed help is being received from local providers and support services.
Danielle was a NAMI Ohio intern from June 2020 to April 2021, and has a decade of experience as a social worker after graduating from Ohio State University with Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees. She is a licensed social worker and a native of Bellefontaine in Logan County, Ohio.
Handling the Helpline
She manages the NAMI Ohio Helpline from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; calls are answered remotely after hours. She also responds to email messages and in-person contacts at events.
Helpline callers can provide as much or as little information as they feel comfortable giving, Danielle said. “My focus is for people to get connected to the resources they need.”
The length of the call depends on the needs of the caller.
“Sometimes they just need to talk,” Danielle said. “Some of the toughest calls are talking to a parent whose child is going through a mental health crisis. I spend as much time as I need to.”
One person called with concerns about an aging parent. “They love this person so much and they don’t know what to do. The hopelessness and pain can make people feel completely lost.”
Danielle said direct services were the subject of the majority of calls, followed by support assistance, business-related, multiple needs, housing, and crisis calls.
“Being a social worker is a privilege,” Danielle said. “I truly enjoy talking to people…. The best parts are when you’re able to help someone. That’s such a great feeling, like a warm hug. I love when I’m able to solve something for someone that they didn’t know how to do.”
“I like talking to people who are disenfranchised to help them advocate for themselves. Things get better with a quality of care.”
And sometimes, the one who helps others so much needs a helper, too. Danielle said she depends on a personal therapist, family and friends to help keep her balanced as she takes on the burdens of so many others.
Celebrating Life
Written & Submitted By: Danei Edelen
Nothing says spring like the feeling of fresh air blowing through our house on a warm spring day like the afternoon after the Georgetown Community Day at Georgetown Elementary. After two years of isolation, I think everyone was looking for an excuse to get out of the house and be around people again. “Working a booth” was a quiet victory for both Anita and I. Anita and I had met five years earlier when I founded NAMI Brown County. We have been through a lot in the last five years, the death of her son, me being hospitalized three times, COVID, and the war in the Ukraine. As I remarked to Anita in the car, “We are just grateful to be well enough to work a booth”. Welcome to a new chapter in our lives. Watching Anita console a grieving mother with the touch her hand, validated again for me today why I founded NAMI Brown County. “Together, we are making a difference, one day at a time, one life at time.”
My name is Danei Edelen. I am founder of the NAMI Brown County Ohio affiliate. In July, we will be celebrating five years for NAMI Brown County at the Child Focus on July fourteenth. Becoming known in my community as founder of NAMI Brown County brings me a quiet thrill. In April, I spoke at the Brown County Chamber of Commerce luncheon to tell people about the party. I was so nervous, that I could hardly touch my food. A woman from one of our community banks came up to me at our NAMI booth at the Georgetown Community Day and told me I had done a nice job. “Why, thank you!” I said with profound relief.
Part of the reason this party means so much to me is because I have lost two people in my life to suicide as well as having my own suicide attempt. I have lived through that dark night of the soul related to suicidal thoughts. NAMI was a lifesaver for me. I am convinced that if had known about NAMI before, I would have found the help I needed.
Suicide has become an epidemic in this country. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34. The 988 Implementation Act, introduced by Congressman Tony Cárdenas, provides federal funding and guidance for states to implement a 988-phone number to replace 911 for mental health crisis calls. The 988 Implementation Act provides funding for a crisis response infrastructure that relies on trained mental health specialists instead of armed law enforcement. NAMI Brown County also has free Zoom calls on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that you are not alone. Anita and I are living proof that there is life after a mental illness diagnosis.
Learn more about Danei and download a copy of the article HERE
NAMI Ohio Thanks Governor DeWine for Continued Commitment to Ohioans Impacted by Mental Illness
COLUMBUS, OH: Vowing to remedy “unfinished business” from decades ago when thousands of people were released from psychiatric hospitals without adequate treatment, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a plan to greatly expand community services for those with mental illness.
Gov. DeWine said “tragically” neither the state of Ohio nor other agencies across the nation followed up with the necessary treatment for those who exited hospitals beginning during the administration of President John F. Kennedy. That failure resulted in large numbers of people struggling with untreated mental illness often ending up homeless, filling hospital emergency rooms, or being incarcerated.
The governor’s plan, which will be presented to state lawmakers next year in his budget, will include a “behavioral-health research hub,” an in-depth study of the causes of mental health and addiction issues, and expansion of community services. Cost figures for the proposal were not released.
NAMI Ohio Executive Director Luke Russell said NAMI Ohio, the state’s largest grassroots organization advocating for the mentally ill, their families and caregivers, enthusiastically supports Gov. DeWine’s proposal and applauds his “willingness to be a champion so individuals and families have hope that they will have to no longer live in the shadows.”
“NAMI Ohio stands ready and willing to work with the Governor and State Legislature to prioritize a person-centered approach to mental health treatment that has not been part of the current treatment model,” Russell continued. NAMI Ohio wants to ensure support services such as Housing, Day Services and Client Navigation become a reality for individuals with serious mental illness and their families.
“Every family, workplace and community is impacted by mental illness and the time to challenge the status quo is here,” Russell said. “We appreciate Gov. DeWine’s focus to address a system that was never built when as a nation we decided to close the large psychiatric Institutions. Individuals not only needed the community treatment services, but also support services that give a quality and dignity of life all people deserve.”
The governor outlined his proposal this week at summit sponsored by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. “We must – we must – change this. We must now make behavioral health visible, accessible, and effective in all communities in Ohio,” he said.
Gov. DeWine also renewed his plan to spend $85 million in COVID19 aid from the federal government to help boost employment for mental health workers and internships.