Ohio START Newsletter January 2023

January 2023 Newsletter

Director's Corner

Happy New Year!

Ohio START believes in family, love, equity, and redemption. Together we have served over 1,000 families. We continue to work as a team, supporting and holding each other accountable.

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

- Oprah Winfrey

From the Field: County Highlights

Delaware

Delaware successfully closed its first two START families

Warren

Successfully closed one case in December

Gallia

Gallia County is currently serving 10 families

Ottawa County Success Story

"In August of 2021, our agency received a report of a mom testing positive at the birth of her baby. When one of our investigators went to meet with KM, she was beyond upset, and was taken from the hospital to go back to the state she came from. The case was referred to START right away, and I started attending meetings with the investigator to build a relationship with KM. She finally came back to Ottawa County and explained that she was homeless and only knew one family member in the area. We referred her for services which she was reluctant to attend and cancelled many appointments. In the beginning of the case, we sent her to detox over 3 times and each time she would leave. One day I asked what was keeping her from staying and she told me she had been to rehab or detox over 20 times! She tried again and this time it worked, and has maintained sobriety since that day. She has also obtained a two bedroom apartment, a job, custody of her child, mended multiple family relationships, is working on obtaining a car, and is working on her CDA to work in a childcare center. KM has also started her CDCA and hopes to become a FPM after her 2 years of sobriety.

Throughout her case she has taught us all so much about recovery, relapse, and what it means to never give up on someone. She is an amazing mother who continues to progress daily. Our team could not be more proud of KM and we are so excited to see where her recovery takes her."

Share your success story to be featured in the next newsletter here.

Employee Spotlight

"Nichole recently joined our Warren County START team in September. Nichole has hit the ground running within her role in this program. Nichole's continuous positivity, ambition and drive to work with our families battling substance abuse is inspiring. Nichole has experienced several relapses on her cases since joining our team and although this is always a difficult part of the job she has continued to keep her head up and offer substantial support. Nichole has also brought a new perspective to our team and always reminds us to look on the bright side of every situation. Warren County is so lucky to have Nichole here with us!" Thank you Nicole for all that you do!

Have a staff member you want to highlight? Submit the survey here.

Save the Date for the Ohio START Summit

Presenter application form link

Resources and Events

Participate in an interview study about your Ohio START experience

Email: OhioSTART.parentinterview@gmail.com

State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy Releases Retailer Guidance on Illegal Drug Tianeptine

On Dec. 22, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2022-17-D to suspend the normal rulemaking process to allow the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy to classify all products containing an unregulated drug that produces opioid-like effects, tianeptine, as a Schedule I controlled substance pursuant to OAC 4729:9-1-01.03. Sometimes referred to as “gas station heroin”, tianeptine is sold as a “supplement” in local convenience stores and gas stations. To assist in getting these products off store shelves, the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy today issued a retailer guidance document in multiple languages.

Governor DeWine Signs Bill That Includes Provision to Decriminalize the Use of Fentanyl Test Strips

On Jan. 3, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 288, a sweeping criminal justice reform bill, into law. Sponsored by Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), SB 288 includes a provision that exempts fentanyl test strips from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The fentanyl test strip language in S.B. 288 originated from House Bill 456, sponsored by Rep. Kristin Boggs (D – Columbus). The bill takes effect 90 days from its signing.

Attend Ohio START Coaching Calls

Coaching calls will continue to be held quarterly and may be attended by any Ohio START staff. They will be on the same date and time, the first and second Thursday of the month, from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. The same content will be covered at each session, so you only need attend one of the days.

Join a Sober Active Community

The Phoenix’s mission is to build a sober active community that fuels resilience and harnesses the transformational power of connection so that together we

rise, recover, and live. Find more information on their website.

Training

Visit the training calendar below to register

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing

Jan. 13 from 9 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Introduction to START for New Staff

Jan. 19 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Supervisor Professional Learning Community: The Art of Supervision

Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Substance Use Disorders 101

Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Ohio START Foundations III - Behavioral Health Treatment Provider Strategies

Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Motivational Interviewing: Practical Application Practice

Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Training Calendar

Ohio START is a program of PCSAO and an affiliate of the National START Model

Our Mission: We approach Substance Use Disorders with compassion, understanding and hope for recovery. We work as a team, supporting and holding each other accountable. We believe in family, love, equity, and redemption.

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