Breaking Barriers to Behavioral Healthcare in Ohio & Beyond

A few weeks ago, Chuck Ingoglia shared this quote during his opening remarks at the Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers’ Annual Conference. His sentiment was echoed across multiple sessions throughout the event. Whether discussing federal policies, strategic priorities, or statewide initiatives, it was clear that Ohio is dreaming big and paving the way for meaningful, impactful behavioral healthcare transformation. 

Here are some key themes we heard throughout the conference that can help providers across and beyond Ohio: 

Theme #1: CCBHCs represent an exciting opportunity to reimagine the entire behavioral health system. 

During a session on innovating access to care, Kristin Woodlock, behavioral health expert and CEO of Woodlock & Associates, referred to CCBHCs (Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers) as a gift to create something fundamentally new. Many systems in place today were initially built in the 60s, when the “why” behind them was simply keeping people out of institutions. Now, CCBHCs present an opportunity to forge a new future where the “why” is breaking down barriers and putting people in control of their own care. 

Ingoglia also noted that expanding the CCBHC model nationwide is only the third time in history that Congress has passed legislation to truly change how mental health and substance use disorders are provided. Doing so represents that leaders are waking up to the importance of mental healthcare and showing respect to the providers helping people seek it out. 

Maureen Corcoran, director of Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), provided an update on Ohio’s CCBHC model during her presentation on ODM’s policy and practice updates. ODM, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), and other state and federal stakeholders are currently working to finalize the model. Work in 2025 will be largely focused on readiness, with phased implementation set to begin in 2026. Key to Ohio’s integrated approach is moving away from the mindset that substance use and mental health are isolated specialties and instead focusing on population health management. 

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Theme #2: It’s time to shift industry narratives from requirements and productivity to improving patient engagement and experience. 

Beyond CCBHCs, presenters also spoke about the need to emphasize the patient experience over productivity when building out new systems. Woodlock said productivity has entered the “toxic zone” and is causing many people in the workforce to disengage with what brought them to the field in the first place.  

Ohio Council Board President Kelly Rigger added that it’s time to address legend, legacy, and lore and find better balance between compliance and care. We can’t let the way we’ve always done things get in the way of people getting the help they need.  

How can we incentivize what’s most important? How can we align people, providers, and systems in a way that drives more meaningful outcomes? What can we do differently to provide support and help people heal without requiring them to fill out endless paperwork throughout the process? These are the types of questions we should be asking ourselves. 

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Theme #3: Addressing the workforce crisis is critical to making this shift successful. 

During his opening remarks, Ingoglia shared a map highlighting the extent of mental health workforce shortages across the country. We took note of several statewide and national programs discussed throughout the conference to address the crisis: 

• Ohio’s Great Minds Fellowship provides loan repayment on behalf of new graduates who commit to working at one of Ohio’s Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHC). The goal is to help quickly infuse more qualified behavioral health professionals into workplaces throughout the state. 

• The OhioMHAS Welcome Back Campaign combines recruitment initiatives and hiring incentives designed to benefit returning behavioral health professionals. 

• The National Council for Mental Wellbeing launched The Center for Workforce Solutions to bring practitioners together to develop actionable ideas and strategies to strengthen, diversify and expand the workforce. Some of their core activities include an extensive resource hub, monthly webinars, and advocacy efforts. 

Presenters also discussed other ideas and strategies that can make an impact. For example, apprenticeships and work-based learning programs can help prepare the future workforce with on-the-job learning and technical instruction. Task sharing models can expand access to care and free up limited resources. Technical assistance centers (Ohio will be launching its own soon!) can help workers find, access, and navigate all these professional development opportunities. 

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Theme #4: Behavioral health technology can be a roadblock or a gamechanger. 

Technology plays a critical role in reimagining the behavioral health system, improving the patient experience, and addressing the workforce crisis, so it’s no surprise that the topic was addressed in almost every session. However, technology can only help transform how care is delivered if it’s designed to support the work, not drive it. 

Speakers called on providers to demand tools that help them meet clients where they are. They called on electronic health records (EHR) companies – yes, that includes us! — to commit to a thoughtful conversation around redesigning EHRs to better support population health. And they called on all of us to work together to create and support a digital mindset where technology is central to transformation and scaling new pathways to care. 

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Theme #5: Ohio is paving the way with innovative programs and research.  

The core of Woodlock’s session was providing an update on the Ohio Access Innovation Project (AIP) – a rapid cycle change initiative that was developed through a collaboration with The Ohio Council, Ohio Council member organizations, The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, OhioMHAS, and ODM.  

By bringing together these varying perspectives, the initiative aims to change how behavioral health services are delivered to improve engagement and meet patient needs. If successful, it will help Ohioans quickly access care that is approachable, safe, convenient, and personalized – representing a vastly different landscape than what many people interact with today. 

1. Luan Phan, MD, chair and professor for the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, also provided an overview of State of Ohio Adversity & Resilience (SOAR) Studies – first-of-its-kind research designed to identify modifiable risk factors that could ultimately help treat and prevent mental health issues.

Dr. Phan said the study is based in Ohio for several reasons. Ohio is the center of opioid, substance abuse, and mental health crises. It also offers geographic, social, economic, racial, and ethnic diversity, including one of the most diverse immigrant populations in the country. Essentially, Ohio represents a “microcosm” of the rest of the US, so the many organizations supporting this initiative hope that what’s learned in Ohio can ultimately be applied everywhere. 

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If you attended the conference or work in Ohio, let’s connect to keep the conversation going about the incredible work happening across the state. We’re excited to be a partner in your efforts to change the way behavioral health services are provided!