Position Papers

About the Federal Level Community Behavioral Health Needs & Strong Solutions Position Paper: Navigating through the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic calls for a nimble, creative and robust redesign of funding mechanisms and associated policies to invest in the United States’ behavioral healthcare system. This paper identifies significant and high-potential opportunities to expand quality integrated […]

04/2021 Cultural Humility Position Paper Summary: Cultural humility — whether seen as the foundation of cultural competence or the garden in which cross-cultural relationships grow — is necessary for all behavioral health providers. It is closely entwined with trauma-informed care and therapeutic alliance, as vital keys to unlocking the best possible patient outcomes. Thus, healthcare […]

06/2021 SUD Telehealth Treatment Position Paper Summary: Substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health telehealth treatment have become essential methods of providing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, substance use disorder is on the rise, fueled by the social isolation and additional stress on individuals, families, and communities brought on by the pandemic. In order […]

06/2021 Misusing Prevention Data Position Paper Summary:  Behavioral health screenings, such as for adverse childhood experiences, are important data for identifying individuals and communities at risk of long-term ill health effects. However, without a framework that centers the desires and needs of the people who are screened and a trauma-informed lens, we risk pathologizing people […]

04/2021 Epigenetics Position Paper Summary:  In this Position Paper, we take a look at epigenetics and how it may affect our understanding of behavioral health. First, we briefly discuss and define epigenetics. Then, we explore how this field of study may impact our approach to behavioral health treatment and psychiatric disorders. Finally, we underscore the […]

About the Preventing Harm: Toxic Stress, Racism & Poverty Position Paper Racism and poverty are two major drivers of toxic stress, which harms families and communities across the United States. This stress can lead to a large number of adverse health effects and outcomes, particularly in children, causing long-term health issues and even reducing life […]

07/2020 Reducing ACEs Position Paper Summary: This Position Paper offers a brief glimpse of OhioGuidestone’s commitment to addressing ACEs through innovation and community partnerships. Namely, OhioGuidestone’s partnership with local primary care clinics to screen and respond to ACEs in children and pregnant woman is featured. OhioGuidestone’s experience integrating ACEs screening and referrals with primary care […]

Childhood Lead Poisoning Position Paper Summary: Childhood lead poisoning has remained a longstanding issue in specific Ohio neighborhoods for decades. This problem predominantly affects socially designated “at-risk” groups such as African-American children, kids from low-income families, and those residing in older homes. The impacts of lead poisoning on children, and their families can have extensive […]

Telehealth Position Paper Summary: In March 2020, health agencies coordinated with government officials throughout the U.S. to offer telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. For mental health providers such as OhioGuidestone, this offers an opportunity to evaluate our services and continue to build client-centered approaches to care. While telecommunication can offer greater accessibility, even after […]

OhioGuidestone’s Impact on Ohio’s Health Value Position Paper Summary Recently, the Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO), released its 2019 Health Value Dashboard, which placed Ohio at 46th out of 51 in health value among U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Ohio’s low ranking was not due to a lack of access to care, […]

06/2020 Patient-Reported Outcomes Position Paper Summary: Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are useful tools for clinicians and researchers working in behavioral health fields, as well as for the clients they serve. These measures allow programs and treatment to be tailored carefully to the client’s needs and offer a necessary client-centered perspective for developing evidence-based practices. Therefore, […]

Therapeutic Needs in Community-Based Services 06-2020 Position Paper Summary: In community mental health treatment, clients often encounter social, and structural barriers and stressors that impact the effectiveness of therapy. These Therapy-Interfering Conditions (TICs) include unmet concrete needs like housing, education, employment, and transportation, and these conditions impact our clients’ therapeutic needs. Clients’ experiences of toxic […]

PLAY Project Position Paper Summary: In this Position Paper, we explore expanding insurance coverage of the PLAY Project to support developmental and relationship-based treatment of young Ohioans living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This paper examines how we provide services to children with autism at OhioGuidestone, and why we think the PLAY Project is so […]

Joyful Together®: Preventing Childhood Toxic Stress Position Paper Summary: Toxic stress occurs as a response to prolonged, adverse experiences without adequate adult support that impairs brain development and functioning. The 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health found that as many as 1 in 7 Ohio children had experienced three or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), […]