Ohio launches registry with over $1 million in funding for behavioral health programs

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health has launched a new online registry for prevention and early intervention programs. The database serves as a centralized, publicly accessible resource for state and local decision-makers, providers, and communities. It lists programs that have demonstrated positive outcomes and meet specific evidence standards.

The project began when the Ohio Education Research Center in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University partnered with the state department. The department provided more than $1 million to develop and maintain the registry. These funds also support capacity building opportunities for the behavioral health field.

Tia Marcel Moretti, director of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, stated that the registry ensures Ohioans have access to effective prevention services. She said the tool helps communities identify programs that work, allowing them to support individuals and families earlier. This approach aims to prevent more serious behavioral health needs from developing later.

Jessica Collura, a senior research associate at the Ohio Education Research Center, leads the project. She noted that a core part of the work involves evaluating home-grown programs in Ohio. The goal is to elevate these local initiatives and include them in the registry if they meet the necessary criteria. Collura said the registry also informs the field about evidence for nationally recognized programs.

Cindy Clouner, managing director of the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery, serves as co-principal investigator on the project. She explained that the registry helps professionals connect practice with evidence. The tool supports thoughtful program selection and implementation by making it easier to identify approaches that fit specific community needs.

Tasha Perdue, an assistant professor in the Glenn College and member of the registry advisory committee, said the resource bridges the gap between academic research and community practice. She said the registry allows researchers to access evidence-supported interventions for studies and grant proposals. It also helps providers distinguish effective practice from approaches that may be ineffective or harmful.

Perdue added that implementing evidence-based approaches is critical for using limited time and resources effectively. This is particularly important for nonprofits and other providers. The use of evidence to guide decision-making and track outcomes provides greater transparency and accountability.