Ohio’s Controlling Board has signed off on a fresh $4 million to keep Case Western Reserve University at the helm of the state’s Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, locking in another year of support for youth with the toughest mental health challenges and the professionals who serve them. The one-year renewal runs from July 1 through June 30, 2027, and officials say the center’s work is closely tied to OhioRISE, the Medicaid program aimed at children and teens with the most intensive behavioral health needs.
Controlling Board signs off on one-year award
According to the Ohio Controlling Board, the Department of Behavioral Health asked for a waiver of competitive selection so it could renew the award to Case Western Reserve University at $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2027. The filing lists the request as DMH0105614, records the Controlling Board meeting date as July 13, 2026, and notes that the renewal period through FY27 was built into the original contract. The document describes the scope of work as training, fidelity reviews, and evaluation infrastructure to expand care coordination capacity across the state.
What the money will fund
As reported by Cleveland.com, the contract keeps the center in charge of building a standardized assessment process, evaluating services and providing professional development to community providers. Cleveland.com also notes that Case Western Reserve University was first awarded the work after a competitive process in 2021 and that the state re-solicited proposals in April 2025 before again choosing CWRU for the most recent term.
Center background and ties to OhioRISE
Case Western Reserve’s Mandel School has housed the Center of Excellence, which university materials describe as a hub for training, technical assistance and evaluation that helps providers across Ohio deliver evidence-based treatments. The Ohio Department of Medicaid’s July 2022 launch announcement for OhioRISE links the specialized Medicaid program to the center’s mission of providing intensive, community-based supports for youth with complex needs, according to Ohio Medicaid. Materials from Case Western Reserve University emphasize the center’s role in workforce development and program measurement.
Why officials say the renewal matters
State filings underscore that the COE’s continuing work, from workforce development to fidelity monitoring, is meant to help scale community-based services and cut back on reliance on congregate care for children with complex needs. The Controlling Board attachment lists agency contacts and shows the renewal was signed by the department director on June 22, according to Ohio Controlling Board documents. That administrative sign-off completes the approval step needed to obligate funds for fiscal year 2027.
Looking ahead
The $4 million renewal authorizes the Department of Behavioral Health to continue its partnership with Case Western for the coming fiscal year and keeps the COE’s training and evaluation work funded through June 30, 2027, according to Cleveland.com. State and university leaders say the center will focus on measuring program impact while supporting providers across Ohio as the state continues rolling out OhioRISE and other system changes.
