Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success (OMHNSS)
About the OMHNSS
In existence since 2001, the Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success (OMHNSS) consists of action networks spearheaded by affiliate organizations in six regions of Ohio. Currently, the Network is funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). Key state-level staff from ODMH and ODE, and partnering organizations also participate as Network members.
In 2007, the university based Effective Practice Partners (EPPs) of the Effective Practice Integration Council (EPIC) met with OMHNSS leadership and affiliate organizations to develop an integrated strategic plan. Through this process, the EPPs, Network leadership, and affiliate representatives chose to merge and create an enhanced OMHNSS. OMHNSS is striving to help Ohio's schools, community-based agencies, and families work together to achieve improved educational and developmental outcomes for all children, especially those at emotional or behavioral risk and those with mental health problems. Beginning in 2007-2008 the following new structural organization for the OMHNSS has been adopted.
ODMH and ODE provide direction, offer support, and establish long-term goals for the Network. A steering committee, consisting of OMHNSS regional affiliates, university-based Effective Practice Partners, and representatives from ODMH and ODE, is responsible for providing oversight for OMHNSS activities, defining objectives, serving as a liaison to state agencies, monitoring funding streams, and setting the OMHNSS agenda in conjunction with state agencies. In addition to the ongoing regional work of OMHNSS, five Action Teams have been created to support the statewide work of OMHNSS.
- The Policy Development and Advocacy Action Team focuses on analysis, development, and implementation of policies that promote positive school climate.
- The Quality and Effective Practice Action Team is working to create a statewide registry of Effective School Mental Health Practices.
- The Systems Analysis and Change Action Team is working on a project to identify the current status of effective school mental health (SMH) programs and services in Ohio.
- The School Safety and Violence Prevention Action Team is working with the ODE to provide train-the-trainer programs to school districts. The train-the-trainer program includes presentation and discussion of an introduction and a four-module Safety and Violence Prevention Curriculum. Topics include child abuse identification; bullying and violence prevention; substance use and abuse; and depression and suicide. The curriculum will fulfill the Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.073 requirements.
- The Communication Action Team is working to enhance the communication among state, regional, and local partners to promote the action agenda of the Network.
Contact Information
Dr. Carl E. Paternite
Director, Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs and Professor of
Psychology
Department of Psychology
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056
Phone: 513-529-2416
E-mail: paternce@muohio.edu