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Transition Age Youth Mental Health

Over the last three months, The Ohio Coordinating Center for ACT and The Center for Innovative Practices have "teamed up" with The Ohio Federation for Children's Mental Health, NAMI Ohio, and Community Services of Stark County, to build awareness about mental health services for young adults transitioning into the adult mental health system.

We recognize that three months is not enough time to adequately identify resources and needs, and therefore suggest that this work is only a "first step" in awareness and excitement building for "Transition Aged Youth" mental health services in Ohio.

What will The Ohio Coordinating Center for ACT and The Center for Innovative Practices, The Ohio Federation for Children’s Mental Health, NAMI Ohio, and Community Services of Stark County do now?

Ohio’s Transition Aged Mental Health Project Outcomes:
Seven Measurable Deliverables
6/12/06-12/31/06

  1. The position paper will be completed  with contributions from more than 100 Ohio stakeholders, and include:
    • Identification of current barriers
    • Best practice approaches for services, systems and policy development
    • Recommendations
  2. The position paper will be presented to statewide advocacy, consulting and trade organizations including: ODMH’s Networks and CCOEs, The Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers, The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, NAMI Ohio, The Ohio Advocates for Mental Health, The Ohio Federation for Children’s Mental Health, and The Adult Recovery Network.
  3. The position paper will outline recommendations and action steps for increasing access and effectiveness of transition aged mental health services in Ohio. Action steps identified as immediate will be underway.
  4. The network list will be an online resource, and include:
    • Contact information of 300 stakeholders
    • Representation from each county
    • Organized by "region"
    • Identified by "system role"
    • List by region and then alphabetically
  5. Network members will receive monthly emails updating them on available resources and events
  6. Ten transition aged adults will be identified and nominated for membership on ODMH led committees.
  7. A Transitional Youth/Young Adult Advisory Group will convene to review the position paper for purpose of obtaining young adult and family input to inform our work and to empower the voice of those we support and serve.

The position paper will serve as a the main vehicle for consensus building that will help guide our action steps for the transition age population in Ohio.

  • Click here for the Draft Position Paper, based on emerging consensus and the “national literature”, detailing: population characteristics, principles of care, services and barriers, and propose next steps
  • A Networking Tool of Ohio MH services for "Transition Aged Youth," (see below)
  • A Conference (one day- held on June 12, 2007) to identify next steps,  highlight current services in Ohio, and build enthusiasm.
  • A Power Point Slide Presentation, "Transition to Adulthood", presenter Maryann Davis, Ph.D., Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School talks about Why do we need to improve transition support services, What's so special about transition, and How can we do better.
  • Email Sharon Salla at the Center for Innovative Practices (sharons@starkmhb.org)
    • Questions please call Sharon Salla or Rick Shepler at (330) 455-3811
    • Click here for a PDF version of the "Paving The WAY For a New Day For Transition Aged Youth and Young Adults in Ohio's Mental Health System" conference

A CALL TO ACTION- WHAT CAN I DO?

If you are a YOUTH or YOUNG ADULT you can:

  • Register to vote and seek understanding of issues
  • Write your local and state elected officials
  • Get involved on your agency/local boards or form your own youth advisory board
  • Set goals for your future and work to reach them
  • Tell your caregivers and providers what you want or need to reach your goals
  • Tell at least one person about what your hopes and dreams are for your future and then ask that person to help you reach them
  • Seek/connect with at least 1 professional partner who supports you

If you are a PARENT or a CAREGIVER you can:

  • Seek out trainings and information on parenting through the transition years
  • Give your young person more choices and responsibilities that include lots of opportunities to practice and learn life skills
  • Make time to listen to what your young person has to say about their hopes, dreams, and desires...then make time to lead them to the support and opportunities needed to accomplish them
  • Form a parent support group related to parenting through the transition years
  • Tell your providers, boards, and legislatures what young people in your area need
  • Seek/connect with at least 1 professional partner who supports you

If you are a PROVIDER you can:

  • Seek out trainings and information on promising practices for serving the transition age population
  • Ask your young people, both formally and informally, what they want in relation to the services and supports you provide
  • Ensure that you have youth/young adult friendly environments and staff
  • Form or get involved in a local network or coalition that is committed to working together to serve the young people in your community
  • Seek young peoples input in development and administrative decisions
  • Create seamless protocols/expectations for movement between Child/Adult systems

If you are a LOCAL BOARD or ODMH Staff you can:

  • Promote and/or make available trainings related to promising practices for serving the transition age population
  • Encourage providers and boards under your jurisdiction to carve out transition age services and supports
  • Conduct a community needs assessment related to what is available and what needs to be available for the transition age population under your jurisdiction
  • Ensure the voices of young people are heard through membership on boards

For more information, please contact Jonas Thom at
513-458-6733 or email: jthom@ohioactcenter.org
or Jon Ramos at 513-458-6684 or email: jramos@ohioactcenter.org
Rick Shepler email: ricks@StarkMHB.org
Terre Garner email: offcmh1@fuse.net
Patti Fetzer email: pfetzer@neo.rr.com

Northwest list

  • Nick Bates, organization: young adult at COHHIO, phone: 614-280-1984, email: nickbates@cohhio.org, Advocate
  • Tova Black, email: Lanique3@aol.com, Advocate
  • Gabriella Celeste, organization: Alliance of Child Caring Service Providers, phone: 216-694-7032, email: gceleste@applewoodcenters.org, State
  • Angela Tucker Cooper, organization: Mental Health America of Summit County, phone: 800-991-1311, email: acooper@mhasc.net, Advocate
  • Doug DeVoe, organization: OH Advocates for Mental Health, phone: 614-340-6264, email: ddevoe@ohioadvocates.org, Advocate
  • Lisa Dickson, organization: Foster Care Alumni of America, phone: 614-397-7187, email: lisa@miss-lisa.com, Communications Chair
  • Teri Gardner, organization: ODADS, phone: 614-466-7585, email: gardner@ada.ohio.gov, State
  • Terre Garner, organization: Ohio Federation for Children's Mental Health phone: 513-218-8819, email: offcmh1@fuse.net, Advocate
  • Liz Gitter, organization: ODMH, phone: 614-466-9963, email: gitterl@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Mike Gordon, organization: DYS, phone: 614-728-3154, email: mike.gorgon@dys.ohio.gov, State
  • Racquel Graham, organization: TSIG-Ohio Department of Mental Health, email: grahamr@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Pam Gulley, organization: ODMH, phone: 614-644-7895, email: GulleyP@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Yvonne Hunnicutt, organization: Voices for Ohio's Children, phone: 216-881-7860, email: yhunnicutt@vfc-oh.org, Advocate
  • Betsy Johnson, organization: NAMI Ohio, email: betsy@amiohio.org, Advocate
  • Matthew Johnson, organization: young adult (CASA/GAL - Wood Co.), email: ljmda93@aol.com, Advocate
  • Brian & Susan Judd, phone: 419-884-8767, email: brianjudd57@aol.com, Advocate
  • Teresa Lampl, organization: Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers, phone: 614-228-0747, email: OCLampl@aol.com, Advocate
  • Angela Lariviere, organization: COHHIO, phone: 614-280-1984 or cell: 614-209-9779, email: cohhioal@aol.com, Advocate
  • Judith Leb, organization: Lucas County CASA, phone: 419-213-6753, email: jleb@co.lucas.oh.us, Provider
  • Paul Lilly, organization: Hancock ADAMHS Board, phone: 419-424-1985, email: plilley@bhg.org, Board
  • Gayle Loyola, organization: Young Adult Community Development, phone: 614-273-5819, email: gale@yacinc.org, Director
  • John Magee, organization: Ohio Department of Education, phone: 937-430-9360, email: john.magee@ode.state.oh.us, State
  • Pamela McGlothlin, organization: NAMI Erie-Ottawa, phone: 419-618-6329, email: amandaskeeper@aol.com, Advocate
  • Susan Mikolic, organization: Stepping Stones, phone: 216-513-6098, email: susan@steppingstonesmentalhealth.com, Advocate
  • Jennifer Moses, organization: Zepf Community Mental Health Center, phone: 419-841-7701, email: JMOSES@zepfcom.com, Provider
  • Deb Mosley, organization: ODMH, phone: 614-466-1323, email: mosleyd@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Beth Oberdier, organization: OLRS, phone: 614-466-7264, email: boberdier@olrs.state.oh.us, Advocate
  • Karen Olnhausen, organization: Lucas Co. MHRSB, phone: 419-213-4600, email: kolnhausen@lcmhrsb.mh.state.oh.us, Provider
  • Drew Palmiter, organization: ODADAS, phone: 614-752-8851, email: palmiter@ada.ohio.gov, State
  • Judy Paschalis, organization: Kinship Navigator Program, phone: 419-725-7038, email: jpaschalis@areaofficeonaging.com, Provider
  • Janel Pequignot, organization: ODMH, phone: 614-466-9065, email: pequignotj@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Lisa Raths, organization: CASA/GAL - Wood Co., phone: 419-367-0657, email: ljmda93@aol.com, Provider
  • Kay Rietz, phone: organization: Ohio Department of Mental Health, 614-466-0111, email: rietzk@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Suzanne Robinson, organization: NAMI Ohio, 614-224-2700, email: suzanner@amiohio.org, Advocate
  • Amy Scherer, organization: Findlay City Schools, phone: 419-425-8238, email: ascherer@findlaycityschools.org, Provider
  • Rick Shepler, organization: CIP, phone: 330-455-3811, email: ricks@cipohio.org, State
  • Jonas Thom, organization: OCCA, phone: 513-458-6733, email: jthom@healthfoundation.org, Advocate
  • Rachael Vandall-Hurley, organization: Harbor Behavioral Healthcare, phone: 419-241-6191, email: rvandall@harbor.org, Provider

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Northeast list

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Central list

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Southwest list

  • Nick Bates, organization: young adult at COHHIO, phone: 614-280-1984, email: nickbates@cohhio.org, Advocate
  • Debbie Bennett, organization: Lighthouse Youth Services, phone: 513-487-7178, email: dbennett@lys.org, Provider
  • Tova Black, email: Lanique3@aol.com, Advocate
  • Kathy Booth, organization: Mental Health Access Point, phone: 513-558-5832, email: mhap52@ucmail.uc.edu, Provider
  • Gabriella Celeste, organization: Alliance of Child Caring Service Providers, phone: 216-694-7032, email: gceleste@applewoodcenters.org, State
  • Jennifer Cline, organization: Clinton Co, phone: 937-383-4441 ext. 125, email: jcline@mhrccc.org, Provider
  • Carolyn Clinton, organization: ODMH, phone: 614-752-9179, email: cllintonc@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Angela Tucker Cooper, organization: Mental Health America of Summit County, phone: 800-991-1311, email: acooper@mhasc.net, Advocate
  • Dave Craft, organization: Transitional Living Center, email: davec@tliving.org, Provider
  • Robin Crone, organization: Clinton County Head Start, phone: 937-382-5624, email: rycrone@yahoo.com, Provider
  • Wes Crum, organization: Woodland Centers, email: wcrum@woodlandcenters.org, Provider
  • Alexandra Dailey, organization: Transitional Living Coordinator, phone: 419-475-8681, email: adailey@connectingpoint.org, Provider
  • Chantel Dearth, organization: Woodland Centers, email: cdearth@woodlandcenters.org, Provider
  • Robert Detty, organization: TCMHCs, email: bdetty@tcmhcs.org, Provider
  • Doug DeVoe, organization: OH Advocates for Mental Health, phone: 614-340-6264, email: ddevoe@ohioadvocates.org, Advocate
  • Lisa Dickson, organization: Foster Care Alumni of America, phone: 614-397-7187, email: lisa@miss-lisa.com, Communications Chair
  • Kelly Dunnigan, organization: Lighthouse Youth Services, phone: 513-861-1111 ext. 205, email: dhoward@lys.org, Provider
  • Jerry Farley, organization: Eastway Behavioral Healthcare, email: jfarley@eastway.org, Provider
  • Kelly Firesheets, organization: Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, email: kfiresheets@healthfoundation.org, Advocate
  • Mary Fitzgerald, organization: Consumer Advocate, phone: 513-761-5502, email: sam_ftz@yahoo.com, Advocate
  • Teri Gardner, organization: ODADS, phone: 614-466-7585, email: gardner@ada.ohio.gov, State
  • Terre Garner, organization: Ohio Federation for Children's Mental Health phone: 513-218-8819, email: offcmh1@fuse.net, Advocate
  • Robin Gilbert, email: gilbertr@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Liz Gitter, organization: ODMH, phone: 614-466-9963, email: gitterl@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Mike Gordon, organization: DYS, phone: 614-728-3154, email: mike.gorgon@dys.ohio.gov, State
  • Racquel Graham, organization: TSIG-Ohio Department of Mental Health, email: grahamr@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Bob Groskopf, organization: Eastway Behavioral Healthcare, Provider
  • Pam Gulley, organization: ODMH, phone: 614-644-7895, email: GulleyP@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Jason Gundrum, organization: Butler County Probation Supervisor, phone: 513-887-3324, email: schickwh@butlercountyohio.org, State
  • Cathy Haggins, organization: Butler MRDD, phone: 513-867-5700, email: cathyhh@butlermrdd.org, State
  • Ellen Harvey, organization: Butler County MHB, phone: 513-860-9240, email: eharvey@bcmhb.org, Board
  • Yvonne Hunnicutt, organization: Voices for Ohio's Children, phone: 216-881-7860, email: yhunnicutt@vfc-oh.org, Advocate
  • Michael Jamison, phone: 937-248-4991, email: katten42@gmail.com, Advocate
  • Betsy Johnson, organization: NAMI Ohio, email: betsy@amiohio.org, Advocate
  • Crystal (Kris) Jones, organization: Butler MRDD, phone: 513-867-5700 ext.16, email: drisj@butlermrdd.org, State
  • Carolyn Jones, organization: Hamilton County Board, phone: 513-946-8628, email: carolynj@hamilton.mh.state.oh.us, Board
  • Shannon Kiniyalocts, organization: Lighthouse Youth Services, phone: 513-221-0029, email: skiniyalocts@lys.org, Provider
  • Steve Kopecky, organization: Mental Health Recovery Services, phone: 513-695-1695, email: skopecky@mhrswcc.org, Provider
  • Mark Kroner, organization: Lighthouse Youth Services, phone: 513-221-3350, email: mkroner@lys.org, Provider
  • Teresa Lampl, organization: Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers, phone: 614-228-0747, email: OCLampl@aol.com, Advocate
  • Angela Lariviere, organization: COHHIO, phone: 614-280-1984 or cell: 614-209-9779, email: cohhioal@aol.com, Advocate
  • Janet Leahy, organization: Supervisor of Counseling & Safe School Services, phone: 513-217-2653, email: jleahy@middletowncityschools.com, Provider
  • Gayle Loyola, organization: Young Adult Community Development, phone: 614-273-5819, email: gale@yacinc.org, Director
  • John Magee, organization: Ohio Department of Education, phone: 937-430-9360, email: john.magee@ode.state.oh.us, State
  • Peter and Pam Mattson, phone: 513-931-2543, email: pmattson@fuse.net, Advocate
  • Laurie McFarlin, organization: Eastway Behavioral Healthcare, Provider
  • Diana McIntosh, organization: HCCMB, phone: 513-946-3600, email: dianam@hamilton.mhrsb.state.oh.us, Board
  • Melissa McKendry, organization: Butler County Probation Officer, State
  • Nicole Michaelson, organization: GCB, phone: 513-354-5263, email: nmichaelson@gcbhs.com, Provider
  • Susan Mikolic, organization: Stepping Stones, phone: 216-513-6098, email: susan@steppingstonesmentalhealth.com, Advocate
  • Deb Mosley, organization: ODMH, phone: 614-466-1323, email: mosleyd@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Beth Oberdier, organization: OLRS, phone: 614-466-7264, email: boberdier@olrs.state.oh.us, Advocate
  • Jeff O'Neil, organization: GCB, phone: 513-354-5329, email: joneil@gcbhs.com, Provider
  • Drew Palmiter, organization: ODADAS, phone: 614-752-8851, email: palmiter@ada.ohio.gov, State
  • Suzanne Paulette, organization: Cincinnati Children's Hospital, email: suzanne.paulette@cchmc.org, Provider
  • Janel Pequignot, organization: ODMH, phone: 614-466-9065, email: pequignotj@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Jon Ramos, organization: OCCA, email: jramos@healthfoundation.org, Advocate
  • Linda Richey, organization: Cincinnati Children's Hospital, email: linda.richey@cchmc.org, Provider
  • Kay Rietz, phone: organization: Ohio Department of Mental Health, 614-466-0111, email: rietzk@mh.state.oh.us, State
  • Linda Rivera, organization: Parent Advocacy Connection, phone: 937-408-1659, email: worshipper1962L@hotmail.com, Advocate
  • Mike Robinson, organization: The Children's Home of Cincinnati, phone: 513-272-2800, email: MRobinson@thechildrenshomecinti.org, Provider
  • Suzanne Robinson, organization: NAMI Ohio, 614-224-2700, email: suzanner@amiohio.org, Advocate
  • Cybil Saum-Johnson, organization: Eastway Behavioral Healthcare, Provider
  • Karen Scherra, organization: Clermont County Mental Health Board, phone: 513-732-5400, email: kscherra@ccmhrb.org, Board
  • Kelly Schoenhoft, organization: Butler County Childrens Service Board, phone: 513-887-4337, email: schoek@odjfs.state.oh.us, Board
  • Angela Schoepflein, organization: Parent Advocacy Connection, phone: 937-508-8359, email: seigna72@hotmail.com, Advocate
  • Abby Sexton, organization: Butler County Childrens Service Board, phone: 513-887-4340, email: sextoa01@okjfs.state.oh.us, Board
  • Katie Shaver, organization: Butler County Probation Officer, State
  • Rick Shepler, organization: CIP, phone: 330-455-3811, email: ricks@cipohio.org, State
  • Chris Steed, organization: WorkPlace Associates, Foundations Beginnings, phone: 513-545-6953; 513-867-5400 ext. 3125, email: csteed@bbhs.org, Provider
  • Bill Stidham-Garner, phone: 513-218-8819, email: offcmh1@fuse.net, Advocate
  • John Strahm, organization: Eastway Behavioral Healthcare, phone: 937-496-2000 ext. 2092, email: jstrahm@eastway.org, Provider
  • Randy Strunk, organization: Ikron, phone: 513-621-1117, email: rstrunk@ikron.org, Provider
  • Kathy Tenny, phone: 937-248-4991, email: katten42@earthlink.net, Advocate
  • Jonas Thom, organization: OCCA, phone: 513-458-6733, email: jthom@healthfoundation.org, Advocate
  • Christie Watson, organization: Lighthouse Youth Servicesg, phone: 513-619-4825, email: cwatson@lys.org, Provider
  • Judy Webster, organization: NAMI-Hamilton County, phone: 513-271-8842, email: jrwebster@fuse.net, Advocate
  • Ceilia White, organization: TRANSTIONAL Living, phone: 513-645-4512, email: annah@tliving.org, Provider
  • Regina Woods, organization: Lighthouse Youth Services, phone: 513-861-1111 ext. 212, email: rwoods@lys.org, Provider

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Southeast list

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