CCMHRB Launches Suicide Prevention Campaign

Date: July 31, 2024

In an effort to foster activities that promote improved mental health and prevent addiction, or the harm associated with addiction, the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board again offered mini grant funding opportunities for the period of July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025. Any organized group in Clermont County, with the exception of the contract agencies of the Mental Health and Recovery Board, were eligible to apply for funding. Proposals were due by May 17, 2024, and have been reviewed.

The Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board awarded 14 mini-grants to local organizations. The Mental Health and Recovery Board plans, funds, and monitors mental health and addiction services locally. The grants will fund evidence-based programs that enhance mental health and/or prevent addiction in Clermont County. The grant applications were initially reviewed by a three-member committee. A total of $30,000 was allocated, with maximum funding per project of $3,000. 

The organizations selected for a mini grant are:

Bluebird Bus of Hope, Mentoring Services: To expand mentoring services provided by Bluebird Bus of Hope in Clermont County, particularly targeting underserved, rural communities by training additional mentors to become certified community life coaches, with the aim to provide crucial connections to mental health and addiction recovery services. 

Clermont County Public Health (2), Wound Care Kits and Xylazine Test Strips: To purchase Xylazine test strips and Xylazine Wound Care kits to be distributed to the participants of the Clermont County Bloodborne Infectious Disease Prevention Program (Syringe Services Program). The Bloodborne Infectious Disease Prevention Program offers a comprehensive approach to harm reduction that includes a one-for-one exchange of syringes, free naloxone, HIV and Hepatitis C testing, and referrals to treatment or other services.

Inter Parish Ministry, Food Pantry Summer Picnic: To provide summer picnics, freshly prepared hot meals, and “pop-up” picnics in various Clermont County communities for clients who are in need and to provide community mental health resource information and empowerment items. IPM’s Summer Community Picnic Program fosters a sense of well-being among food-insecure families and individuals who use the agency as a food resource.

Milford Boyd E. Smith Elementary School, Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS): To purchase the CICO-SWIS data management tool, “Zones of Regulation” supplies, and other reinforcers for the PBIS program at the school. PBIS is a data-based decision-making framework that guides implementation of evidence-based practices to improve student behavior and outcomes. The PBIS system at Boyd E. Smith is focused around respect, responsibility, and problem-solving. 

Milford Mulberry Elementary School, Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) Tier 2: To purchase the CICO-SWIS data management tool, “sensory path” materials, and classroom “peace corner” regulation materials. PBIS is a data-based decision-making framework that guides implementation of evidence-based practices to improve student behavior and outcomes. The PBIS system at Mulberry is focused on the three “R”s: Respectful, Responsible, and Ready.

Milford Pattison Elementary, Second Step Social Emotional Learning: To support the effort to provide research based, formal social emotional learning curriculum in the primary grades. The grant will provide funding for the purchase of additional physical kits related to the curriculum.

Milford School District, Sources of Strength (SOS): To provide SOS funding at Milford’s six elementary schools. Sources of Strength is an evidence-based program with outcomes that include increased school engagement, connectedness to trusted adults, increased accessibility to resources such as suicide prevention, and increased student awareness skills in coping, resilience, and wellness.

New Richmond Middle School, Sources of Strength: To continue efforts to improve mental wellness of students through a program called Sources of Strength. Sources of Strength is an upstream suicide prevention program that provides training for early intervention and suicide prevention. The program’s goal is to improve the social and cultural climate of the school and improve the mental health and wellbeing of students. It uses peer leaders to enhance protective factors associated with reducing suicide across a school population.

Streetlight Ministry, Homeless Outreach: To provide resources such as meal vouchers, emergency shelter, toiletries, blankets, cleaning supplies, and other basic provisions. Their mission is to bring interim relief to the homeless population of Clermont County and to connect them to mental health, addiction, and other services to lead them to a healthy lifestyle.

St. Vincent de Paul, Charitable Pharmacy: To support the staffing of the Charitable Pharmacy in Clermont County. The Charitable Pharmacy provides free medication and comprehensive pharmaceutical care to uninsured and underinsured individuals. Patients receive health education from Charitable Pharmacy staff and volunteers that improves medication adherence rates and disease state control while preventing emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The Charitable Pharmacy alleviates financial burden and ensures that economic hardship does not prevent neighbors from accessing essential medications.

West Clermont Merwin Elementary, Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS): To purchase a schoolwide digital management system for PBIS Rewards. Rewarding students as a whole class is not always feasible during instruction or learning activities. The PBIS Rewards digital program will allow teachers and staff to immediately acknowledge positive student behavior from a mobile device. In addition to the online program, the grant will be used to purchase additional tangible prizes and items to be used in their “Mustang Market” to motivate positive behaviors.

West Clermont School District, Feeding and Fueling Minds: To fund Five monthly workshops and/or programming focused on food and nutrition to improve mental health and student success. “Feeding & Fueling Minds” is a nutrition series focused on family wellbeing and mental health. The series seeks to empower families with healthy life choices, which impact both attendance and student learning. Families will be recruited to attend monthly workshops which will focus on nutrition and wellbeing as it relates to the overall health of the body and mind. “Feeding & Fueling Minds” will equip families with low cost, healthy cooking habits, along with a variety of coping tools and educational strategies that teach families how to prioritize nutrition and healthy choices as strategies of student success.

YWCA House of Peace, Support Groups:  To provide learning materials and self-care supplies for twelve support groups for the residents at House of Peace. The support groups will be led by an accredited mental health agency and topics will include healing from trauma, emotional regulation, boundary setting, healthy relationships, parenting, coping, and the basics of racism and discrimination as it relates to domestic violence.  

If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Knoblauch at the Board’s office at 513-732-5400 or cknoblauch@ccmhrb.org