Since 1988, ADAPAO has presented annual awards to honor excellence in and commitment to prevention in Ohio. This May the Ohio Coaching and Mentoring Network (OCAM) was recognized as the 2021 ADAPAO Organization of the Year. This award recognizes an agency, coalition, board, business or other entity for exemplary efforts in advancing ADAPAO’s mission–to employ the power of dialogue, education, networking, and advocacy to amplify a united voice for effective prevention in Ohio.
“The OCAM Network is a skilled, diverse team of some of Ohio’s leading prevention professionals whose dedication to our profession manifests in the exemplary coaching, mentoring, and education they provide,” stated Jim Ryan, Executive Director of ADAPAO.
Funded by OhioMHAS and coordinated by PreventionFIRST!, OCAM is a statewide initiative providing capacity-building and workforce development for prevention. The Network was created out of the Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success initiative, a grant from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). The grant aimed to support state-level approaches to increase the capacity of prevention systems and communities to do substance use prevention. OCAM has accomplished through training, technical assistance, and by mentoring prevention professionals throughout Ohio.
During the virtual award presentation, Ryan praised OCAM saying, “During the last few years, many of you (virtual attendees) have participated in an OCAM training or regional collaborative. If you are a newer prevention professional, you may have received assistance from an OCAM coach to navigate the prevention credentialing system. Some of our ADAPAO Conference participants are attending this year’s virtual conference on scholarships provided by OCAM.
Ryan continued adding, “OCAM’s partnerships contribute to its success. Partnerships with the Ohio National Guard, UMADAOP Federation, Akron City Schools, and the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board have been part of its innovative approach to introduce the value of prevention and cultivate prevention professionals in all sectors and diverse populations.
OCAM is honored to be the 2021 ADAPAO Organization of the Year. We would like to thank OhioMHAS, PreventionFIRST!, ADAPAO and its members, all of our many partners, and everyone who has participated in an OCAM training. Ohio’s prevention workforce is growing and thriving because of the collective effort of all prevention professionals and advocates.
