COLUMBUS, Ohio  — The State of Ohio has announced a major update to its behavioral health system. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS)  will now be known as the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) —a change that represents a forward step in reducing stigma and promoting whole-person care. The update was established through Am. Sub. House Bill 96 , part of Ohio’s operating budget for fiscal years 2026–2027, and signed by Governor Mike D

For many behavioral health providers, zoning is treated as a box to check at the end of the process—something to be dealt with only after finding the “perfect” site or designing a new program. But that approach often leads to frustration, costly delays, and even abandoned projects. The reality is that zoning should be part of your growth strategy from the very beginning. When providers build zoning considerations into their strategic planning, they make smarter choices about

For many behavioral health providers, zoning feels like nothing more than an obstacle—an exhausting set of rules, hearings, and restrictions that slow down or even block expansion. It’s easy to see zoning as the barrier between your organization and the patients you’re trying to serve. But with the right legal strategy, zoning doesn’t have to be a roadblock. In fact, it can become an opportunity. Across the country, cities are beginning to rethink how land use can improve pub