Dublin, Ohio – Governor Mike DeWine announced a major expansion of mental health services for youth during a press conference at Hopewell Elementary School in Dublin. The initiative, known as Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), is now set to expand statewide to offer immediate help to children and young adults aged 20 and under experiencing serious emotional, mental, or behavioral distress.
“MRSS is one of the most important tools we have at our disposal to respond quickly and effectively when a child is experiencing a crisis,” said Governor DeWine. “Last year, I announced that we wanted to take this service statewide. Now, that goal is becoming a reality. It’s another example of how we’re protecting the mental health of our young people so they can reach their full potential.”
Until now, MRSS was only available in select parts of Ohio. Now, thanks to partnerships between the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), 12 provider organizations will serve 18 regions across all 88 counties. This expansion allows trained response teams to reach any location in the state within 60 minutes of a call to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline.
Real-Time Crisis Help and Ongoing Care
MRSS delivers help on-site in homes, schools, or other settings and includes up to six weeks of stabilization support. Services also connect families to peer support, life-skills training, and community resources.
“By offering both initial response and follow-up services, MRSS helps to keep young people at home and prevents unnecessary visits to emergency departments and strain on other local resources,” explained OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn. “We know this program works. It ensures kids and families receive the type of help they need when they need it, and it’s comforting for parents to know that they don’t have to figure out how to navigate these situations alone. Help is just a phone call away.”
Hopewell Elementary Principal Susann Wittig recounted a recent case where MRSS proved life-changing. A student in behavioral crisis received help within an hour after the school contacted the local MRSS provider.
“Clinicians from Nationwide Children’s Hospital arrived within the hour and partnered seamlessly with our student, their family, and our school team to develop a very clear plan for services, counseling and, most importantly, ongoing care,” Wittig said. “Today, I’m happy to share that our student is thriving.”
She added, “Governor DeWine, thank you for your unwavering commitment to Ohio’s children. Your leadership and expansion of programs like MRSS ensure that students all across the state have immediate access to high quality mental health supports.”
Students Speak on Importance of Accessible Mental Health Help
Regan Heynoski and Keya Pandya, student leaders from Dublin Jerome High School’s Teen Institute, applauded the program.
“Having an option like MRSS – one that feels approachable and meets students where they are – will make such a difference,” Heynoski said.
Pandya added, “MRSS makes it easier to step in early – before a situation becomes critical. As students leading prevention efforts in our schools, we know that the right support at the right time can change everything.”
Comprehensive State Support and Certification Plans
OhioMHAS and ODM collaborated on a first-of-its-kind administrative model to ensure MRSS is free for every youth and family, regardless of income, through its inclusion in the OhioRISE program.
“When a young person is in crisis, there is no time to waste in getting them the specialized help they need,” said ODM Director Maureen Corcoran. “This program and its expansion will put that emergency help within reach for kids, parents, teachers, and communities all across Ohio.”
Each Regional MRSS Provider (RMP) will manage everything from dispatch to de-escalation and stabilization, along with quality assurance.
All RMPs must become certified within 60 days according to OhioMHAS standards, ensuring that families across Ohio will soon have access to consistent, high-quality care when they need it most.
