Following successful advocacy efforts on the FY 22-23 budget, OhioMHAS has announced "The Behavioral Health Workforce Retention Initiative", a $5,000,000 grant available for one-time awards of up to $50,000 to OhioMHAS certified community behavioral health centers (CBHCs).
OhioMHAS will be accepting applications through the end of the day on Friday, October 22, 2021 and will determine funding using a randomized selection process. The funds will be used to support CBHC-workforce retention incentives that must be paid to employees before December 15, 2021.
So, who's eligible? Any provider certified by OhioMHAS for one or more of the following services found in Ohio Administrative Code chapter 5122-29: General, Mental health day treatment, Forensic evaluation, Behavioral health hotline, Residential and withdrawal management substance use disorder services, Crisis intervention, Supplemental behavioral health, Intensive home based treatment (IHBT), and much more.
To apply, your OhioMHAS-certified CBHC must have an OH|ID account to access the OhioMHAS GFMS application portal. All questions must be submitted electronically to BHWI@mha.ohio.gov with “Behavioral Health Retention Initiative Question” in the subject line by 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, October 15, 2021.
The Department asks that providers not contact any OhioMHAS staff member directly with questions regarding this funding opportunity. Contacting staff directly with questions could result in disqualification of an application.