Child & Family Health Collaborative of Ohio

We’re proud to share that we’ve been awarded new grants to support the expansion of our Food Security initiative, which connects children, youth and families to nutritious food as part of their behavioral health care. 🍎🏡

These awards were made possible through the Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation Grant, a component fund of the Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, and the Western Reserve Health Foundation Grant, a component fund of the Foundation of Mahoning Valley.

Together, these investment strengthen support for Ohio’s children and families. 🤝

Bridges is helping young adults thrive. 🌟 Recent survey results show participants scoring higher than national averages across all areas of well-being, with particularly strong gains in mental and physical health. 📈

These results highlight the program’s meaningful impact on supporting flourishing, life satisfaction, and holistic growth, helping participants build the skills and resilience to succeed now and in the future. 🤝

Learn more about the Bridges program here 🔗https://www.cfhcohio.org/bridges-program

Amid a full lineup of inspiring sessions at the 2026 Annual Ohio Children's Alliance Spring Conference, one session explored how Ohio is integrating behavioral health respite into Medicaid through OhioRISE. Attendees heard both expert insights and a moving firsthand story from a mother, showing the real impact of respite for youth and families.🌟

Sessions like this underscore the power of connecting families to the support they need to thrive.🤝

Through Bridges, young adults are finding stable housing that helps them focus on school, work, and building community connections.🏡

Many transitions this quarter were intentional moves, closer to school or work, or into more affordable, secure housing, with nearly a third moving from emergency or non-paid housing into paid options.

These outcomes show how Bridges helps participants gain independence, stability, and a stronger path toward long-term success. 🌟

Behavioral Health Respite care can be life-changing. 🌟

For Kai R., it has helped build confidence, connection, and growth, all while giving her family time to recharge.

Read her story and see the impact below⬇️

For Kai R., respite care has supported growth and confidence. 🌟

Behavioral health respite gives youth space to build confidence and caregivers the chance to recharge. For Kai and her family, it’s been a meaningful part of her growth. 🪴

Read the full story and learn how respite creates opportunities for youth to make connections and build confidence:https://e8e272e2-f157-4a92-8a35-61e24e748486.filesusr.com/ugd/b23fde_8cc0614c4b804dca952c4ad9fb0c2a2c.pdf

The Bridges program is celebrating a milestone!🎉

Our Warm Handoff (WHO) Specialists are marking one year in their roles, connecting young adults to resources and support across Ohio.

Serving nine counties, these specialists continue to guide youth on their journey from foster care to the Bridges program, working closely with PCSAs and community partners to make a real difference.🤝

Join us in celebrating their dedication and impact over the past year! Check out the graphic below to get to know your WHO Specialist.

Access to food is essential to well-being.

Through a statewide initiative, the Child and Family Health Collaborative of Ohio is helping connect food access with behavioral health care, helping families get the support they need beyond a clinical setting.

Learn more about the program and its impact: https://www.cfhcohio.org/food-security-program

We’re proud to see Ohio represented at First Lady Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future initiative, part of Be Best, alongside the Administration for Children and Families and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth.

Importantly, Ohio youth voice—including Bridges representation—helped shape the conversation. Jordan Deaton shared his powerful lived experience, reinforcing what we know to be true: with the right supports, young people can thrive.

Read the full story below.

The 2025 Bridges Impact Report is here! 📊

In partnership with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, the Bridges program is helping young adults aging out of foster care find stable housing, build skills, and pursue education and work goals. Together, we’re supporting Ohio’s former foster youth as they step into adulthood with confidence and opportunity. 🤝

Read the full report here �https://www.cfhcohio.org/_files/ugd/b23fde_400bb8ebd41f4f6a8230ef5a7332ab38.pdf

We’re excited to see new investment in behavioral health respite services coming to three regions across Ohio. 🌟

This initiative will expand critical respite supports for children, families, and caregivers by working directly with local communities and providers to meet regional needs.

We look forward to the positive impact this effort will have on families across the state. 🤝

Ohio Children’s Alliance is thrilled to announce that we’ve been awarded funding from the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health to expand behavioral health respite services across three regions in Ohio.🌟 Through this initiative, we’ll work directly with communities and local providers to offer these critical services, giving families and caregivers the support they need.

We look forward to partnering with these communities to strengthen support for children, families, and caregivers across the state. 🤝