PEP’s Care Coordination Services Meet OhioRISE Goal, Out-of-Home Placement Now Rare

PEP’s Care Coordination Services Meet OhioRISE Goal, Out-of-Home Placement Now Rare

When it was launched in 2022, one of the primary goals of OhioRISE and its care coordination services was to keep more kids and families together. By creating new access to in-home and community-based services for children with the most complex behavioral health challenges, that is exactly what it is doing.

At PEP, where our North Star is that all young people thrive in their school, home and community environments, the OhioRISE goal of keeping families together aligns perfectly. That is one of the reasons PEP is proud to be one of 18 Care Management Entities (CMEs) in the state and the largest in Cuyahoga County. (CMEs are the agencies that administer the program in a region.)

OhioRISE Outcomes at PEP

Since the program’s inception, PEP, through its PEP Connections program, has provided care coordination services to 2,500 children and their families. During that time, we’re proud to say, we’re seeing the promise of OhioRISE coming to fruition:

  • Of the 2,500 youth served at PEP Connections since 2022, only eight have required residential placement.
  • PEP’s hospitalization rate is among the lowest of all CMEs, if not the lowest, at a mere 1.07 percent.

Not only are these outcomes good news for families, but they also result in tremendous savings for government systems.

Hope for Real Families

These numbers are more than just data. They speak to real progress in real Ohio families. They mean that kids are staying in their family home. Kids are going to school and they’re participating in the activities that matter to them.

Recently, the mother of a child receiving OhioRISE services at PEP wrote to Governor Mike DeWine to thank him and his administration for championing and launching OhioRISE. Her words reflect the sentiments of many OhioRISE families. For the first time, these families have hope for their child’s future.

“As I reflect on 2024 and contemplate 2025, this is the first year in many, many years that I have a sense of hope and future not only for myself, but more importantly for my daughter and our family,” she wrote. “The sole reason for this sense of hope is because of the OhioRISE program.” She noted that prior to her involvement with OhioRISE, her daughter had been hospitalized and didn’t have access to the correct level of care. Today, her daughter is finally getting the care she needs and her future is bright. “I am hopeful that my daughter can continue her education, make new and maintain existing friendships, and access opportunities in the community,” the mother wrote.

Who Qualifies for OhioRISE?

Young people who require significant behavioral health treatment who are age 0 – 20 and who are eligible for Medicaid can qualify for OhioRISE. Children and youth may also qualify because of certain urgent conditions, such as if the youth is in a hospital for behavioral health reasons or is admitted to a psychiatric residential treatment facility.

Learn More

To learn more about PEP Connections and OhioRISE visit our website or download this flyer. PEP can help with questions about care coordination services and next steps including determining if a child is eligible. Contact us at 216-361-2441 or at pepohiorise@pepcleve.org.