The Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion (Center) is an accessible and interactive resource which serves to support and connect the  broader prevention community across the state of Ohio, and is coordinated through a partnership between The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, and the Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation (PIRE).   

Founded in 2022, the Center uses works to build infrastructure and capacity to address substance use disorder, early intervention, and promote mental, emotional, and behavioral health among Ohioans.  It will serve as a as a hub where people and organizations can learn and grow, get connected, embrace prevention science, and advance health equity.

Community-level partnerships are an essential element of the Center and help to ensure it is accessible and responsive to the broader prevention community. Eleven Inaugural Partner Organizations represent stakeholders who support the Center development by leveraging community-level buy in and partnerships from coalitions, cross-sector organizations, county Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Boards, the faith-based community and many others to expand best-in-class prevention resources, training, and support. 

Key Center Priorities

• Support system change efforts to help communities identify local prevention needs and solutions 
• Enhance multi-sector efforts to support Ohio’s children, adults, and families 
• Advance the use of prevention science for mental, emotional, and behavioral health prevention and promotion 
• Grow and support Ohio’s prevention workforce