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DAYTON BUSINESS JOURNAL: Montgomery County health leader resolved for better outcomes
Mar 2, 2023
By Caleb Stephens  –  Editor-in-Chief, Dayton Business Journal

Helen Jones-Kelley leads an organization focused on addressing key health issues impacting the Dayton region.

Jones-Kelley, executive director of Montgomery County Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS), oversees the group responsible for the planning, funding, and monitoring of public mental health and addiction treatment services for individuals and families of Montgomery County.

She shared her insights with the DBJ:

What are the top issues your organization is addressing?

  • Manpower. Like many, we face a workforce shortage in our system of care, at a time when mental health and addiction needs have increased significantly.
  • Addressing a significant increase in suicidal ideation, particularly with younger children and senior adults.
  • Effectively consolidating services for the number of people who touch multiple systems.
  • Continued challenges with substance misuse, fentanyl and unintended (possibly some intended) overdoses.

What is being done/should be done to assist?

We are operating from a number of domains:

  • We are working with several stakeholders to expand training and certification options. As an example we fund internships and training opportunities with such partners as WSU, Sinclair, UD, our own training division, the Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services Department, among others. Our internships are designed as paid internships to allow for professional experience and connections to real-time work opportunities.
  • We are working in partnership with numerous community partners and several SAMHSA grants to address the increase in suicide rates. We have a Zero Suicide Grant to develop community-wide strategies and understanding about signs and symptoms and service needs and at the beginning of 2022 launched the first two legs of the three-legged CrisisNow plan in order to offer more access to immediate connections to crisis services and the new 988 line. The third leg will launch in a few months by providing a location for crisis services.
  • Our Familiar Faces initiative addresses data sharing and enhanced case review and planning in order to reduce the number of individuals who recidivate across multiple systems. It also engages our full system of care in discussions about how we "holistically" address the aspects of life that sometimes delay the recovery process and allows for a plan for data sharing across those systems.

What changes would you like to see in the local health care sphere?

Medicaid and other funding flexibility to fairly compensate providers for care, especially in the behavioral health care arena, where rates focus less on quality outcomes and more on costs, though the quality outcomes focus could ultimately drive down costs

I would also like to see a different staffing model in the behavioral health care system which mirrors some of the innovations in the hospital system. I would like more consistency across electronic health records and for them to be inclusive of behavioral health records to allow again, a holistic view of the person being served. Finally, I would like to see more compatibility across federal controlling policies that allows for flexibility, consistency and accountability in how data gets shared for better service and outcomes.

What are some new technologies your organization is embracing?

We are broadening our use of technology in order to better expand our reach into the region. We have a partnership with the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association and Ascend Innovations to build out dashboards to better measure our community outcomes and impact. We are preparing to relaunch our LocalHelpNow app. It will capture data in a way that we are able to operate in real time and not have to make decisions based on lagging data and it will allow individuals to make direct connections to providers in ways they cannot currently achieve.

What are you most proud of from the last year and what are you most excited about for 2023?

I am especially proud of the way in which our provider system served the community and backed each other up in order to keep program's operating and services in place to offer continuity of services in the pandemic. Were there challenges in making that happen? Certainly. But providers made their best efforts to minimize disruption and stay focused on service delivery. And I remain very proud of my ADAMHS team for continuing to stay focused, bringing fresh ideas and compassion and finding ways to innovate despite workforce challenges. Our ingenuity in garnering additional state and federal dollars allowed us to return $10 million to the human services levy for other priority programs during a challenging resource period.

Finally, I have particular pride in our Regional Affiliate Boards, which include Clark, Greene Madison, Warren/Clinton, Logan/Champaign, Preble and Montgomery which we have formalized by an MOU and work together to build out a regional system of care that supports people who work, live and otherwise navigate our region, so that quality of care and access aren't dictated by ZIP code but rather by common goals and standards. We planted a lot of seeds with leveraging dollars and talent that we expect will fill service gaps and identified needs in 2023.

ADAMHS Staff Join Crisis Response Teams in East Palestine 

For Immediate Release
February 22, 2023
Media Contact: Tina Rezash Rogal – trezash@mcadamhs.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OH – Today staff from Montgomery County ADAMHS will join crisis responders in East Palestine, Ohio, to assist with the mental health needs of residents following a train derailment on February 3, 2023. Staff will join teams from the US Centers for Disease Control and the US Department of Health who are on the ground this week at the request of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

“When we learned this weekend from state leadership that crisis responders were needed in Columbiana County, we recognized we could help provide trained community crisis responders,” said Helen Jones-Kelley, Executive Director of Montgomery County ADAMHS. “We quickly pulled together a team of staff who received NOVA Crisis Response Team Training through a grant from SAMHSA that was awarded to OhioMHAS. ADAMHS staff will be joined by clinicians from local mental health providers and others in the community who have received crisis training through ADAMHS.”

In September 2020, Montgomery County ADAMHS was awarded a $7 million grant to train mental health professionals to provide resources to our residents following a series of crises impacting our community in 2019. Funds from the grant allowed 90 individuals to become certified crisis responders.

For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact Tina Rezash Rogal at trezash@mcadamhs.org.

About Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS):

Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) is responsible for the planning, funding, and monitoring of public mental health and addiction treatment services for individuals and families of Montgomery County, Ohio. Under Ohio law, the ADAMHS Board is one of 50 Boards coordinating the public behavioral health and addiction treatment and recovery system in Ohio.

ADAMHS Chosen to Participate in National Learning Collaborative

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                  
February 9, 2023
Media Contact: Tina Rezash Rogal – trezash@mcadamhs.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OH – Montgomery County ADAMHS is one of five agencies chosen from across the country to participate in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) GAINS Center Learning Collaborative on Data-Driven Strategies for Reducing Frequent Systems Engagement.

SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation is known nationally for its work regarding people with behavioral health needs who are involved in the criminal justice system. The Learning Collaborative Model brings together local jurisdiction teams to create coordinated local strategic plans and implementation strategies to share information between stakeholders to increase treatment and lessen the burden on the justice system. 

“These conversations will include subject matter experts leading this work at the national level, sharing their expertise first-hand with stakeholders in Montgomery County,” said Kimberly Farrier, Director of Treatment and Supportive Services for Montgomery County ADAMHS. “It’s an honor to know our work here will be guided by those who are the thought-leaders in providing care to individuals who are seen repeatedly across the continuum of care.”

In January, ADAMHS launched Familiar Faces, an innovative strategy to address the often complex behavioral health conditions that can result in repetitive overuse of services. “By bringing everyone to the same table, to have conversations around data sharing and the specific needs of those who are familiar to our hospital emergency departments, homeless shelters, justice system, and other parts of our community’s human services, we can create care plans unique to each individual to give them the best opportunity for long-term success,” said Helen Jones-Kelley, Executive Director of Montgomery County ADAMHS.

The GAINS Center Learning Collaborative will inform the work happening in Montgomery County with the launch of Familiar Faces. Other partners include the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the Dayton Police Department, Homeless Solutions, the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association (GDAHA), Premier Health, Kettering Health, and numerous treatment providers.

For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact Tina Rezash Rogal at trezash@mcadamhs.org.

About Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS):

Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) is responsible for the planning, funding, and monitoring of public mental health and addiction treatment services for individuals and families of Montgomery County, Ohio. Under Ohio law, the ADAMHS Board is one of 50 Boards coordinating the public behavioral health and addiction treatment and recovery system in Ohio.

Dayton Children’s CEO to be Keynote Speaker at MCPC Annual Celebration

For Immediate Release                                                                                           
December 30, 2022
Media Contact: Tina Rezash Rogal – trezash@mcadamhs.org

Montgomery County, OH – Debbie Feldman, President and CEO of Dayton Children’s Hospital, will be the keynote speaker for the Montgomery County Prevention Coalition’s (MCPC) Annual Celebration. Feldman will share the latest data around behavioral health challenges for our youth and the steps Dayton Children’s is taking to respond to the needs of the children in our region. Feldman will update MCPC volunteers on the new behavioral health unit currently under construction on the campus of Dayton Children’s and help the Coalition members understand the impact of their prevention work.

“We are thrilled to have Debbie join our Annual Celebration. It’s important for our volunteers to learn about the challenges facing our youth, whether it’s mental health or substance use disorders. We want them to know their efforts to reach kids before a crisis happens matter, and to hear why their work is critically important for the future of our community,” said Colleen Oakes, Manager of the MCPC.

The MCPC is a group of 275 volunteers from across Montgomery County who focus on community-level substance use prevention and mental health promotion. Volunteers include community members, business leaders, parents, teachers, and mental health providers who understand the importance of prevention. The MCPC has eight committees, each with its own strategic action plan to maximize impact on the community. Those committees are alcohol prevention, marijuana prevention, opioid prevention, suicide prevention, gaming & gambling prevention, power-based violence prevention, self-care promotion, and policy & advocacy. The MCPC is funded through the CDC’s Drug Free Communities grant with matching funds provided by Montgomery County ADAMHS.

The MCPC Annual Celebration will take place on Friday, January 6, 2023, at the Dayton Metro Library Main Branch at 215 E. Third Street in downtown Dayton from 10:00 am-Noon.

For more information, please contact Tina Rezash Rogal at trezash@mcadamhs.org or 937-416-1458.


DEA Take Back Day Provides Safe Disposal of Unwanted Drugs

For Immediate Release                                                                                           
October 20, 2022
Media Contact: Tina Rezash Rogal – trezash@mcadamhs.org

Montgomery County, OH - The Montgomery County Prevention Coalition (MCPC) is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On October 29, 2022, there will be locations across Montgomery County where residents may take unneeded medications from their homes and dispose of them safely with trained professionals.

“Unneeded medications pose a threat to the health and safety of our community. By reducing the number of unneeded medications in our homes, the likelihood they will be used improperly is decreased, ultimately reducing overdose deaths,” said Colleen Oakes, Manager of the Montgomery County Prevention Coalition.

There are 18 locations across Montgomery County where residents can drop off their unneeded medications on DEA Take Back Day. “Our goal is to make this easy to build into your normal Saturday routine. We encourage everyone to spend a few minutes going through their medicine cabinets to find unneeded medications, a drop-off location should be less than a 10-minute drive for all residents living in Montgomery County,” said Oakes.

Volunteers from the Montgomery County Prevention Coalition will be available at three locations, meeting with community members and handing out important substance use and crisis information. Those locations are the Kroger in Centerville (1095 S. Main Street), the Butler Township Police Department (3510 Sudachi Drive), and the Moraine Police Department (4200 Dryden Road).

DEA Take Back Day is Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.  To view the entire list, click on www.dea.gov/takebackday and enter your zip code.

To schedule interviews prior to DEA Take Back Day, please contact Tina Rezash Rogal at trezash@mcadamhs.org or call 937-416-1458.

Montgomery County ADAMHS Wins Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Promote Black Youth Mental Health

For Immediate Release
September 21, 2022
Media Contact: Tina Rezash Rogal – trezash@mcadamhs.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OH – Montgomery County ADAMHS has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health to be one of the recipients of more than $3 million in grants to eight organizations for a new initiative to demonstrate policy effectiveness to promote Black youth mental health.

“Over the past decade, Black children under age 13 years are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their White peers,” said RDML Felicia Collins, M.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health. “With this new initiative, we intend to identify specific policies that exhibit a meaningful impact on mental health for Black youth and to spread the word about these effective policy efforts.”

“Montgomery County ADAMHS is dedicated to providing mental health resources to all citizens living in Montgomery County and has a special focus on those who are our most vulnerable populations, including children. The combination of natural disasters, violent crime, and a global pandemic have negatively impacted the mental health of our children in the past three years. We are grateful to HHS for trusting us with this initial $400,000 grant to allow us to increase our efforts to support Black youth in Montgomery County,” said Helen Jones-Kelley, Executive Director of Montgomery County ADAMHS.

The $400,000 grant will be matched with an additional $400,000 from Montgomery County ADAMHS to launch ACEs Aware. This innovative approach to improve youth mental health will increase access to screening tools for local providers to determine the number of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) a child has been exposed to, and how that ACE score can impact their mental health. ACEs include events such as abuse, neglect, and various other impactful events that are experienced during childhood. For each additional ACE a child has experienced, the child is nearly twice as likely to attempt suicide, have suicidal ideation, or engage in self-harm.*

“Research is clear that the higher a child scores on the ACE screening, the greater the impact on mental health and physical health as the child grows. The earlier we can intervene with treatment and support, the better the outcomes are for the child,” said Tristyn Ball, Director of Prevention & Early Intervention for Montgomery County ADAMHS.

Read more about the goals of the grant and the additional award winners by clicking here. Please contact Tina Rezash Rogal at trezash@mcadamhs.org to schedule interviews.

*Duke NN, Pettingell SL, McMorris BJ, Borowsky IW. Adolescent Violence Perpetration: Associations with Multiple Types of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Pediatrics 2010; 125: e778–86

Week of Appreciation Will Honor FrontLine Workers Who Help Others Overcome Behavioral Health Challenges

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                        
September 15, 2022
Media Contact: Tina Rezash Rogal – trezash@mcadamhs.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OH – Montgomery County ADAMHS is pleased to announce plans to honor frontline behavioral health workers during Week of Appreciation. September is Recovery Month as well as Suicide Awareness Month. Each year one week is set aside to show appreciation to those who dedicate their lives to helping those who are hurting.

“Behavioral health workers are our heroes. They give so much of themselves to help others, that this is our opportunity to make sure they feel appreciated,” said Helen Jones-Kelley, Executive Director of ADAMHS.

Montgomery County ADAMHS received a grant from the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) to underwrite the costs. ADAMHS will offer chair massages at four locations across Montgomery County the week of September 19th for behavioral health providers, as well as individually wrapped cookies. “Just taking a 15-minute break from the stress of the day to enjoy a chair massage or a fresh-baked cookie, can be just what someone needs to give them a lift, and to know they are appreciated,” said Jones-Kelley.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of frontline workers, Ohio has seen a decrease in deaths involving heroin in recent years. However, we are still facing an addiction and overdose epidemic like never before, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohio’s frontline workers need our continued support. The Week of Appreciation is an opportunity to show support and appreciation to those who work directly with individuals struggling to overcome substance use disorders,” said Cheri Walter, CEO of OACBHA.

We welcome the opportunity to provide interviews to the media before September 19th to promote this event. Please contact Tina Rezash Rogal at trezash@mcadamhs.org to schedule interviews.

Montgomery County ADAMHS To Offer Free Narcan Kits at Riverscape on Overdose Awareness Day  

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                              
August 23, 2022
Media Contact: Tina Rezash Rogal – trezash@mcadamhs.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OH – Overdose deaths continue to trend downward which is great news for Montgomery County. But even one death is too many, which is why Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS), in partnership with Project DAWN, will offer free Narcan kits on August 31, 2022, in honor of Overdose Awareness Day.

“While we are pleased to see overdose deaths down 18% in Montgomery County in 2022, when compared to 2021, 184 people have lost their lives this year. The families and friends of those individuals are grieving the loss of their loved ones. We must continue to look for ways to save lives, and Narcan distribution is one of the best ways to do that,” said Helen Jones-Kelley, Executive Director of ADAMHS.

This is the second year the state of Ohio has promoted August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day, to raise public awareness and to remember the lives lost to the epidemic of drug addiction. ADAMHS and Project DAWN will offer free training on how to use Narcan to the first 25 people who come to the ADAMHS tent on RiverScape between 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, in conjunction with the RiverScape Lunchtime Summer Concert Series. Each participant in the training with receive a free Narcan kit.

“Project DAWN is a community-based drug overdose education and Narcan distribution program. Narcan can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug such as heroin, and pain medication such as Oxycontin. With more Narcan kits available in the community, more lives can be saved, which is the goal of Project DAWN,” said Beth Esposito, President & CEO of Samaritan Behavioral Health and Project DAWN.

We welcome the opportunity to provide interviews to the media prior to August 31, to promote this event to increase attendance. Please contact Tina Rezash Rogal at trezash@mcadamhs.org to schedule interviews.

Crisis Now Hotline to Launch on January 1, 2022, in Montgomery County, Ohio

For Immediate Release
December 27, 2021
Media Contact: Tina Rezash Rogal – trezash@mcadamhs.org

DAYTON, OH - Effective January 1, 2022, residents of Montgomery County will have a new way to access immediate services for mental health and substance use emergencies. Crisis Now will answer calls to a newly created hotline phone number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Crisis Now hotline number is 833-580-CALL, or 833-580-2255.

ADAMHS CEO, Helen Jones-Kelley says the need for emergency mental health services in Montgomery County is great. “Montgomery County’s residents are still hurting from years of trauma. COVID-19 cases continue to rise, overdose deaths are the highest in Montgomery County in 3 years, and calls to the suicide prevention hotline are up 30%. We must take bold action to provide the help and resources people need during this unprecedented time,” said Jones-Kelley.

When someone calls the Crisis Now hotline, they will talk with a trained behavioral health professional who will assess their needs and determine the next best steps for the individual to access mental health services. The Crisis Now hotline is operated by RI International. “RI International currently operates this Crisis Now model in 10 states. We know early access to treatment saves lives and that is what we are bringing to the residents of Montgomery County,” said Kevin Huckshorn, VP Northeast Region for RI International.

Residents of Montgomery County are encouraged to call the Crisis Now hotline to access services for mental health issues and substance use disorder. Again, the Crisis Now hotline phone number is 833-580-CALL, or 833-580-2255.

If you have any questions, please contact Tina Rezash Rogal, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communication for Montgomery County ADAMHS, at trezash@mcadamhs.org.

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About Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS):
Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) is responsible for the planning, funding, and monitoring of public mental health and addiction treatment services for individuals and families of Montgomery County, Ohio. Under Ohio law, the ADAMHS Board is one of 50 Boards coordinating the public behavioral health and addiction treatment and recovery system in Ohio. For more information about ADAMHS, please visit www.mcadamhs.org or call 937-443-0416.

About RI International:

RI International is a global organization with more than 50 programs located throughout the United States and abroad. RI International continuously works to strengthen our position as the worldwide leader of mental health and substance use crisis service design delivery as well peer-delivered care.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY ADAMHS RELAUNCHES APP

For Immediate Release

October 12, 2021

Media Contact: Samantha Elder, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Communications at Selder@mcadamhs.org.

DAYTON, OH – Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) has relaunched the free, community-centric App, LocalHelpNow, formerly known as GetHelpNow. LocalHelpNow places mental and behavioral health, housing, treatment, and other resources right at the fingertips of Montgomery County residents.

The App also houses resources and information surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and lists local businesses and employers identified as Supportive Recovery Workplaces. The Executive Director of ADAMHS, Helen Jones- Kelley, noted the App will continue to evolve, stating, "We are thrilled to relaunch the App under the new name, LocalHelpNow. The App will continue to reflect the needs of the community, including the addition of new resources that come from the long-lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic."

The App is available for free on both the Apple Store and Google Play, and is accessible online at localhelpnowapp.com.
Please contact ADAMHS' Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communication, Samantha Elder, at selder@mcadamhs.org with any questions or to request more information.

LOCALHELPNOW

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About Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS):

Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) is responsible for the planning, funding, and monitoring of public mental health and addiction treatment services for individuals and families of Montgomery County, Ohio. Under Ohio law, the ADAMHS Board is one of 50 Boards coordinating Ohio's public behavioral health and addiction treatment and recovery system.