Ohio pro's statewide consumer network

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations $150,000 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.532).

The award funds OhioPro's Statewide Consumer Network, a project designed to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of Ohio's peer-run organizations (PROs) and expand peer workforce development and peer voice across the state. OhioPro will build centralized infrastructure including a hub for certified peer recovery specialists transitioning into the behavioral health workforce, modernize training curriculum for certified peer recovery supervisors, and promote evidence-based training that meets SAMHSA gold-standard science. The organization also serves as the technical assistance provider to 71 certified PROs across Ohio, including consumer-operated services, recovery community organizations, peer drop-in centers, and clubhouses.

The project targets youth ages 16–25 moving into adulthood and adults with serious mental illness. OhioPro will address documented capacity gaps in infrastructure, peer workforce development, and promotion of PRO impact on SAMHSA's strategic priorities.

Period of performance runs from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2029. Place of performance is Columbus, Ohio.

Abstract

Project name: ohiopro's statewide consumer network ohiopro seeks funding through samhsa to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of this singular statewide mental health peer-run organization (pro). Ohiopro will utilize this funding to build capacity for itself and to and expand peer workforce and peer voice through statewide activities. This funding will not only support the capacity and sustainability of ohiopro, IT will also improve mental health support systems and related services for youth moving into adulthood (ages 16-25) and adults with serious mental illness (SMI). As detailed in this application, our work through this grant program is designed to advance samhsa's strategic priorities and the make america healthy again agenda. Service population: in ohio, pros include consumer-operated services, recovery community organizations, peer drop-in centers, and clubhouses. Ohiopro serves as the technical assistance provider to pros seeking certification through DBH. Currently, there are 71 certified pros across ohio. While ohiopro has made significant strides in its work on behalf of pros, the peer workforce, and consumers receiving services through the state's behavioral health system, there are gaps in capacity and infrastructure that this funding can help to address, including the promotion of the work of pros and their impact on samhsa's strategic priorities, the need for a centralized hub for certified peer recovery specialists to transition to the behavioral health workforce, a modernized training curriculum for certified peer recovery supervisors, and support for ongoing training that is evidence-based and meets the standards set forth by samhsa for gold-standard science. Goals and objectives: goal 1: increase the capacity and sustainability of ohiopro in order to continue to build the network of peer run organizations in ohio and serve consumers with mental health needs. Objective 1: complete the ohiopro capacity plan within 3 months of the NOA and update annually with ohiopro board. With the plan, identify the domains of sustainability that can be strengthened using the program sustainability assessment tool's (PSAT) eight domains. Goal 2: expand peer workforce and peer voice through statewide activities. Strategies for objective 1: a. Develop a succession plan for ohiopro to identify. Critical roles and train staff to enter these roles in the future. B. Strengthen board recruitment and board member skills in governance and leadership for the ohiopro board and pros through training and technical assistance (TTA). C. Develop on-demand courses for pros on financing and funding, including funding sources, budgeting, accounting, data collection and evaluation. D. Design and launch a learning management system (LMS) built for ohiopro. Objective 2: create opportunities to help certified peers (adult PRS, family PRS, youth PRS) transition to employment opportunities within the recovery oriented system of care. Strategies for objective 2: a. Continue the development of the new peer recovery support supervision curriculum with achara consulting. B. LMS deployment for peer workforce needs (pipeline to employment) with mighty crow's technology team. C. Work with local pros to deploy training series, facilitated by certified PRS.