John R. Kasich, Governor Tracy J. Plouck, Director Tracy J. Plouck, Director Tracy J. Plouck, Director

2 “Every Ohioan deserves a chance and an equal opportunity to achieve their God-given potential, and that’s the Ohio we’re rebuilding for everyone.”

3 “Our country and our state are polarized… A large part of this stems from the fact that we seem unable anymore to put ourselves in someone else's shoes. If you can't feel somebody else, you just don't get it… And somehow we have lost the beautiful sound of our neighbor's voices. Moving beyond ourselves and trying to share in the experience of others helps us open our minds, allows us to grow as people…”

4 “Empathy is the first ingredient in compassion and makes it possible for us to care enough to begin to reach out to those who have been forgotten, disenfranchised, ignored, or who are suffering, and to reach out to them in the way they need. Empathy is about respecting others enough to learn what they feel and think.”

Jobs are critical to Ohio’s prosperity o Supports our families o Supports our economy Publicly funded services and supports should assist people to transition from challenge/adversity and poverty 5

Medicaid is providing access to health care for more Ohioans More than 496,000 additional people enrolled from October 2013 to October 2014 Access to both physical health care AND mental health and addiction services 6

As Medicaid funds more clinical services, we can redirect existing resources to focus on more recovery supports Peer services Employment supports Housing Other system needs (e.g. prevention, early childhood MH consultation, etc.) 7

As more people connect with treatment and non-clinical supports that assist them along the recovery path, increased opportunity for employment and social connectedness is anticipated Peer services play an important role o Engagement o Mentoring Peers exemplify the spirit of Governor Kasich’s message 8

OhioMHAS supports expanded access to peers in a variety of environments Consider supply and demand Use today’s symposium to consider how YOU can make an impact on the expansion of peer engagement 9

THANK YOU for your service! (All that you’ve done, and all that you WILL do!) 10

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