The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services announced nearly $114,000 in regional grants to provide trauma-informed care services statewide and in each of Ohio’s six trauma-informed care regions.
Children’s Resource Center was awarded $9,360 for the northwest region to provide 200 early childhood professionals with Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. The initiative is an evidence-based program that supports the healthy development of children. The funds will help fill the gap of the three remaining counties in the region that are not served with Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation.
Trauma-informed care shifts the focus from “what’s wrong with you?” to “what happened to you?” and seeks to understand an individual’s life experiences to deliver effective care. The grants aim to reach families, organizations, and communities with new innovative approaches, best practices, and prevention and intervention programs. The investment will support nine regional entities around Ohio working to incorporate and expand TIC services in their areas.
“When services, practices, and professional development are presented through the lens of trauma-informed care, it can lead to more supportive and responsive environments that are crucial for recovery, healing, and building resilience,” said OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn. “The selected projects reflect the department’s support of local and regional organizations that are utilizing innovative practices to improve mental health and build resilient communities.”
The grants will support and enhance work in clinical, organizational, and recovery spaces. As the work is developed, implemented, and evaluated at the local and community levels, these projects and funding aim to scale trauma-informed care work to regional and multi-county levels to increase impact, awareness, and knowledge.
Another way the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is growing awareness and implementation of trauma-informed care practices is through sponsorship of the 12th Annual Trauma-Informed Care Summit, which will take place May 21-22, 2025, at the Hilton Columbus/Polaris. The department will serve as co-host, along with the Ohio Children’s Alliance. The Ohio Departments of Children and Youth, Developmental Disabilities and Health are also supporters of the event. The summit will spotlight expert speakers who will share knowledge, strategies and experience to provide a comprehensive understanding of trauma-informed care and its applications in the workplace.
