Jefferson County ESC

OhioRISE Joins Panel at Stark Health Summit

NORTH CANTON –OhioRISE is making strides in bringing resources to help the youth of Stark County. Program administrators made some valuable connections when they joined a panel at the 2024 Stark County Health Improvement Summit at Kent State University at Stark on June 27.Jefferson County Educational Service Center (JCESC) OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) is a Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs in Jefferson, Monroe, Stark, Tuscarawas, Harrison, Columbiana, Belmont and Carroll Counties and operated by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. OhioRISE was formed to coordinate resources and put families in touch with what is available.OhioRISE Assistant Director Lindsay Brandon and care coordinator Vicky Filtz joined service providers from the United Way program Strong Neighborhoods, Strong Families. Programs with guaranteed funding was a topic of the panel, and Brandon said OhioRISE has an advantage of stable funding through Medicaid. Brandon said several other states have launched similar Medicaid initiatives with positive results prior to the Ohio program. She anticipates sustained funding via Medicaid as OhioRISE continues to be successful in helping families.“We do feel like it’s a strong program,” she said.Filtz gave background on OhioRISE and its work supporting youth and families with behavioral health needs, and who are at risk of being involved in multiple systems. She said they work not only with families but also partner with community organizations and services. This means providers have the benefit of cooperation and sharing information rather than operating separately.Discussion turned to matters such as the importance of working with multiple agencies. Filtz said OhioRISE continues to progress in building networks in each of the communities where they operate. Filtz said one key component is forming relationships. This involves getting the word out about OhioRISE and all it does, as well as gathering information from community partners.“To find out what they’re doing to help support the families we’re working with, because we need to make sure we’re providing efficient connections to those resources that are most appropriate to each family,” she said. “We do that across all the counties that we’re serving, which is giving us a better opportunity to leverage those services for our youth and families,” Filtz said.Filtz said she welcomes anyone wishing to reach out for more information.She added that OhioRISE has been inventive in adapting to challenges such as the shortages of service providers in an immediate area. Alternative services have included setting up virtual appointments until an optimal solution is available.“It’s getting creative and thinking outside the box on what we can do until those opportunities arise,” she said. She said OhioRISE is always on the lookout for ways to connect people with new community resources.Brandon related one of OhioRISE’s success stories. The program found community support for a family, which enabled them to keep their child at home rather than going into residential treatment.“Our goal is always to keep kiddos at home with their families and make sure that we are helping to provide them with community supports,” she said. “It’s always a success when we can keep kiddos in their home.”Filtz said one of the best approaches to engaging the community is active listening. She said OhioRISE care coordinators can often be found at community events such as health fairs, where they can meet families, learn more about their needs and share what OhioRISE can offer.“It’s really about creating an open communication and open dialogue with those families,” she said. Care coordinators can see if OhioRISE can match those needs.“It goes back to that community partner relationship,” she said. “It really helps you to create that initial buy-in.”During the question-and-answer period, Brandon said OhioRISE’s ability to navigate resources for families dealing with issues such as food, housing, and utility costs can also reduce the strain they are under.“It helps to have a person who is their contact and the one that’s helping to search resources and make connections for them, so that they’re not on their own,” she said. “You feel like you’re the only person out there and you’re all on your own, trying to find things. You are not even sure what is available or where to look. Care coordination through OhioRISE can alleviate this feeling.”Afterward Adrianne Price, vice president of Community Impact with the United Way of Greater Stark County, said she thought they might work well with OhioRISE, adding OhioRISE is able to assist young people who have more intense needs than United Way typically helps.Brandon added she looked forward to collaborating with Strong Neighborhoods, Strong Families.Stark County Health Department Director of Administration and Support Services Kay Conley said about 150 people from a wide range of health systems, social service agencies, treatment programs, mental and behavioral health programs and faith-based agencies attended the summit. She said community partners welcomed the chance to learn more about OhioRISE.“It was a great opportunity to open communications more with our partners to share more about OhioRISE,” she said.Anyone interested in becoming a Care Coordinator, please apply at https://jcescvla.bamboohr.com/careers/23.To learn more about OhioRISE, call 740-792-4011, email [email protected] or visit OhioRISE online at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/CareManagementEntity.aspxPhoto Caption: Jefferson County Educational Service Center OhioRISE care coordinator Vicky Filtz, seated, left, and Assistant Director Lindsay Brandon take part in a panel discussion during the 2024 Stark County Health Improvement Summit. The program has stable funding through Medicaid and helps children and youth in multiple counties. The panel was moderated by Kelly Potkay, accreditation coordinator and health educator with the Stark County Health Department.