2024 Annual Report by OhioGuidestone

To Our Friends,

In Fiscal Year 2024* (FY24) we celebrated our 160th birthday and a transformational year of stabilization and expansion as we set the stage for the next 160 years. Financially, we are stronger than ever before, stabilized, and fully recovered from the fiscal aftermath of the pandemic. We have also grown our workforce in FY24, expanded our services, and opened the doors to new locations and new construction.

Thanks to partnerships with ADAMHS boards, we helped build two state-of-the-art treatment centers.

Fairfield County ADAMH Board funded the STARLight residential treatment center in Lancaster, which is our first adult mental health crisis stabilization program in Central Ohio.

Similarly, Stillwater Crossing in Dennison was built with funds from the ADAMHS Board of Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties, and became the first men’s residential treatment center in the region.

We also launched Behavioral Health Urgent Care walk-in services, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), and we began the process to become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) which is expected to open later in 2025.

The process of becoming an FQHC means we will provide primary care services and build communitybased healthcare facilities for individuals in underserved communities.

We welcomed a new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Julia Bruner, and a new Vice President of Quality and Clinical Care, Dr. Kathleen Kern, completing our roster of exceptional talent to drive integrated care and outcomes.

A more recent leadership transition is our new Board Chairperson, Nancy Shaw Goldsmith, who stepped into the role when Peter Ippolito completed his 6-year term as chair and returned to his seat on the board. Please join me in thanking Pete for his outstanding service to OhioGuidestone.

Finally, for the second consecutive year, we were honored to win a NorthCoast 99 award for attracting top talent in the workplace. The award recognizes OhioGuidestone as a top-performer for attraction, development, retention, and overall employee wellbeing.

I’m proud of the strong foundation we built in FY24 to set us up for success in the coming fiscal year.

Our plans include expanding services to meet the evolving needs of our clients, while continuing to cultivate a top workplace in Ohio.

Our team at OhioGuidestone looks forward to seeing all of the ways we grow in FY25.

*July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024

At OhioGuidestone, our philosophy is to empower clients with the tools they need for growth, achievement, and lifelong success.

By addressing the unique needs of each individual through person-centered care and wraparound supports, we were able to impact the clients and communities we serve in FY24.

New treatment facilities, expanded support services, and innovations in our research-based mental health practices allowed us to build a sense of empowerment and well-being for our clients and their families. One by one, moment by moment, our clients forged new paths with OhioGuidestone’s support.

Behavioral Health

HIGHEST VOLUME OF CLIENTS SERVED

children, parents, and teachers received consultation and prevention services

Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine

clients newly enrolled in a program clients completed treatment in their program 24,650 19,905 11,372 8,883

School-Based Behavioral Health Treatment

unique clients served through all other programs

Strategic Pillars

Our strategic plan pillars serve as the foundation for our progress and success, guiding us toward our mission with five key pillars. Superior Care emphasizes delivering unparalleled care to those we serve. Operating Effectiveness ensures our resources and processes maximize impact. Talent focuses on attracting, retaining, and developing exceptional employees. Outreach strengthens our community connections, broadens awareness of our programs and impacts behavioral health care in Ohio. Finally, Growth drives innovation and expands our reach to make a greater difference. Together, these pillars create the structural foundation to achieving long-term success.

Showcasing our Center of Excellence

The Institute of Family and Community Impact (IFCI), OhioGuidestone’s center of excellence for research, clinical innovation, and advocacy, made significant advances in translating evaluation and research into evidence-based practices for early childhood and parental mental health.

IFCI distinctly sets us apart from other organizations, positioning OhioGuidestone as a leader in behavioral health research and innovation.

Joyful Together® expanded into more preschools, helping to promote relationshipcentered, joyful learning environments.

The Father’s Feelings Project© supports soonto-be and new fathers and features IFCI’s novel paternal mental health screening tool to recognize and address paternal mental health needs.

On the maternal side, IFCI continued its Maternal Vitality Study, to improve screening and intervention protocols to better identify and address mental health stressors experienced by Black mothers during the prenatal and postpartum periods.

Workforce 360° Wraparound Services

The mission of OhioGuidestone’s Workforce 360° programming is to assist individuals with setting and reaching goals related to finding meaningful employment, obtaining additional training, and/or enrolling in post-secondary education.

In FY24 we had 844 individuals served, with 79% placed into employment after program completion.

A majority of clients in the Workforce 360° program experience barriers including 76% with transportation barriers, 62% with childcare needs, 44% with housing needs, and 43% with criminal backgrounds. Wraparound support services help remove barriers like these that may be holding an individual back from achieving their goals.

Wraparound support includes access to other OhioGuidestone services for mental health and substance use needs, SNAP benefits, medical insurance, childcare, food access, housing support, legal aid, licensure fees, transportation assistance, high school and/or GED completion, driving school, financial support with utilities and rent, and more.

All wraparound support services in Workforce 360° are designed for the individual to allow them to reach their personal, educational, and professional goals and thrive in their lives.

Our Workforce 360° Construction and STNA graduates celebrate during their graduation ceremony, ready to embark on their futures.

Brittany Pope, AVP of Applied Clinical Sciences & Research at OhioGuidestone’s IFCI, shares her passion for research and innovation during a media interview.

Superior Care

Sierra’s Story

For OhioGuidestone client Sierra Laughlin, Project Direct Link (PDL) was a chance to start a new life free from the weight of opioid use.

PDL is a unique service OhioGuidestone offers to individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), who are incarcerated and due to be released. PDL involves a monthly shot of medication that continues after release, with the addition of intensive therapy.

Before her release from a correctional treatment facility, Sierra met with OhioGuidestone Therapist, Christopher Langenderfer, who determined she was a candidate for PDL.

Christopher also coordinates with parole officers to let them know that an individual like Sierra is in the PDL program and receiving the medication along with behavioral modification and Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP).

The medication used is “Vivitrol,” an extendedrelease formulation of Naltrexone, which is an opioid receptor antagonist. Naltrexone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, for up to a one-month duration. It blocks the effects of opioid medication, including pain relief or feelings of well-being that can lead to opioid use.

The medication was officially approved in 2010 by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of relapse to opioid dependence, and it is currently the only approved medication for opioid dependence that is not a controlled substance.

“The first time I had the shot I was stressed about not being able to feel opiates for 30 days,” Sierra said, “now I forget I am even on it.”

As part of her continuum of care, Sierra works with OhioGuidestone Therapist Kaitlyn Smith. Sierra said Kaitlyn goes above and beyond to empower her, even helping her secure a professional, well-paying job despite having a criminal record.

For the first time, Sierra said she feels hopeful of what’s to come, and able to handle any obstacle that comes her way. Her advice to anyone considering PDL?

“Open up, become vulnerable, let someone help you heal those wounds you keep opening by using —the worst thing that could happen is your life gets better.”

SUPERIOR CARE STATS

24 clients served through Project Direct Link

80% of Workforce 360° graduates attained an occupational skill credential

316 lives touched via IFCI community-based research engagement in FY24

Project Direct Link is a vital tool for individuals preparing to reenter the community. This program sets our clients on a path to lasting recovery and reflects our commitment to superior care and lifelong success.

— Marvin Houston, Assistant Director, OhioGuidestone

Building Financial Growth for Another 160 Years

OhioGuidestone has been laser-focused on putting the financial setbacks of the pandemic behind us and on rebuilding our strong financial foundation. With the pandemic came increased operational costs, workforce shortages, and a surge in demand for services that strained the behavioral health infrastructure across the state.

Despite these difficulties, OhioGuidestone has remained steadfast in its mission of providing high quality behavioral health care while implementing strategies to recover and thrive—ensuring we can serve our communities for another 160 years. Through a multifaceted approach, including cost optimization, revenue diversification, operational efficiency improvements, and strategic workforce decisions; we have stabilized the organization’s financial position.

We ended FY24 with a small operating deficit and a surplus when including non-operating activities. This turnaround is primarily attributed to our hard-working, dedicated, and compassionate workforce, that continued to increase the level of care provided despite workforce constraints across the industry and significant inflationary pressures felt at home.

To support our employees in combatting inflationary pressures we made compensation adjustments across many programs and positions. These compensation adjustments, in tandem with employee engagement efforts and operational efficiency improvements, helped increase employee productivity and retention. By improving retention, we have inherently decreased costs in the acquisition of new talent for the organization while ensuring continuity of care.

An additional key effort that contributed to our financial turnaround included restructuring contracts to improve reimbursement rates. Working to ensure that the organization receives fair and sustainable compensation for services by renegotiating payer agreements and optimizing billing structures, OhioGuidestone was able to capture more accurate revenue for the critical care and support offered to clients. Our organization continues to pursue opportunities to further improve reimbursement rates in FY25. These combined initiatives significantly reduced the deficit over the last twelve months.

These efforts are ongoing in FY25 to ensure long-term financial sustainability this year and beyond. This includes identifying additional expense reduction opportunities that align with revenue trends, allowing us to reinvest small but impactful margins into programs that directly benefit our clients. Additionally, we are working to remove administrative burdens from staff, allowing them to focus on service delivery.

Molly Martens, stewardship and event coordinator, accepts a generous donation from Corvette Cleveland and CORSA Performance.

Through Davey Tree’s ‘Swing for the Trees’ program, in partnership with the Cleveland Guardians, volunteers planted trees on our youth residential campus in Berea.

Operating Effectiveness Focus on Continuing Improvement

In FY24, we advanced this initiative by equipping two cohorts of staff with Lean and Six Sigma training through Tri-C Corporate College. This targeted training is part of our commitment to enhance operational effectiveness across OhioGuidestone.

Each cohort began with a leadership strategy session to establish the program’s foundation and align goals with agency priorities. Following a comprehensive orientation, participants engaged in a two-day Lean Essentials for Healthcare workshop, followed by a two-day Kaizen event to apply their knowledge to map out current and future state processes, creating improvement and efficiency.

To complement these efforts, we rolled out the ADKAR Change Management Model to strengthen our approach to organizational transformation. ADKAR—Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement—provides a structured framework for managing change. By creating awareness of why change is necessary, cultivating desire to support it, building knowledge of how to implement it, developing ability to execute, and ensuring reinforcement to sustain the chance, ADKAR empowers OhioGuidestone to adapt successfully to new processes and initiatives.

Cohort members have continued to play pivotal roles in driving process improvement efforts throughout the agency. Some have championed specific events, participated in Kaizen initiatives, joined Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) committees, and embedded Lean concepts within their teams and collaborative projects.

Notable successes of these Kaizen events include improving our billing process, identifying and streamlining the framework to ensure services are billed and payments received for services rendered and our onboarding process to enhance the new employee experience. These efforts are not isolated; they reflect the broader strategy to ensure that Lean principles are disseminated throughout our

organization and operations.

Expanding Lean training opportunities is a vital component to our strategic plan, with a vision to increase staff participation in future cohorts. By equipping employees with these tools and techniques, we instill a culture of continuous improvement that embraces innovation, adaptation to change, and contributing to the agency’s overall long-term success.

OPERATING EFFECTIVENESS STATS

55 employees trained in the Lean process

4 new process improvement initiatives launched 6% growth in total financial support and revenue

The energy and ideas generated by adapting Lean philosophy have transformed how we approach change. It’s inspiring to see this implementation drive collaboration and innovation across the organization.

— Lisa Potoma, Director, Quality & Process Improvement, OhioGuidestone

Learning and Leading The Pathways Program

OhioGuidestone recognizes that the successful attainment of licensure can contribute to an employee’s personal growth, career advancement, and professional recognition.

Launched in April 2021, OhioGuidestone’s Pathways Program aims to fulfill this goal through a 9-month, cohort-based professional development opportunity to support staff in pursuit of ongoing mental health licensure in counseling; in particular, we aim to create opportunities for clinicians from historically disenfranchised communities. The program supports OhioGuidestone staff in pursuing advanced licensure to propel their careers forward.

As of the end of FY24, more than 40 employees have enrolled in the program and found themselves on the path to growing their skillsets and employment opportunities. This year the team has added additional tools to ensure the successful completion of the program, including matching mentors based on career goals and setting testing dates at the the end of the class. We’re looking forward to seeing the impact of the Pathways Program for years to come.

Pathways Program participants and their mentors take a break from their training.

Investing in Education Without

Limits

In FY24, OhioGuidestone introduced OhioGuidestone University, a comprehensive initiative designed to empower employees with the knowledge and skills necessary for both personal and professional advancement.

The first branch of this initiative, Paraprofessional University, launched in March 2024. Designed with paraprofessionals in mind, this comprehensive training program incorporates four learning formats— homestudy, live sessions, skills-in-motion, and microlearning—that promote self-directed growth and practical application of skills.

There are 227 unique courses, available 24/7 so learners can complete courses at their own pace. As their needs evolve, paraprofessionals can attend live, interactive sessions that provide ongoing support and growth opportunities. In FY24, over 625 paraprofessionals have taken 17,760 hours of training outside of orientation.

“I appreciate the sessions that have break out rooms and instructor interaction,” says Winter, a Paraprofessional University student. “I learn best when I am able to talk through what I am thinking.”

OhioGuidestone plans to unveil their second branch of OhioGuidestone University, Leadership Academy, in March 2025.

Talent Ladders To Success

Caroline Healey is the House Manager at OhioGuidestone’s Discovery Recovery House in Medina, Ohio.

As she tearfully celebrates each client’s success moving on from the women’s recovery center, she also looks forward to meeting the next woman in line to find a new path.

This is because Caroline herself had once been in their shoes, and credits OhioGuidestone and the incredible employment and advancement opportunities that helped her find both recovery and a fulfilling career.

“I see myself in each of the women living there,” Caroline said, reminding herself of how far she has come in her own life. “There was a time when I had fallen victim to addiction and everything around me was crumbling,” she said. “Feeling lost and hopeless, I placed a call to OhioGuidestone.”

That phone call was Caroline’s first step to a new beginning and put her on the path to where she is now, doing what she describes as her dream job managing the Discovery Recovery House.

Caroline credits her mentor and friend, OhioGuidestone therapist Susan Wentz, for encouraging her to take advantage of the education and employment opportunities offered by OhioGuidestone.

Susan had been Caroline’s peer recovery supporter, having navigated her own path of recovery and building a career through OhioGuidestone.

“Susan knew that I needed to start working again,” Caroline said. “Between meeting with her each week and getting involved in OhioGuidestone’s educational opportunities, I started to feel a sense of belonging in the world again.”

For OhioGuidestone, both Caroline and Susan represent more than just clients who found

recovery, they are both part of OhioGuidestone’s unique workforce development initiative, and part of what makes us Ohio’s leader in community behavioral health.

TALENT

STATS

40,091

Hours of training completed by OhioGuidestone staff

OhioGuidestone interns were hired as employees

40+

OhioGuidestone employees have participated in the Pathways Program

Winning NorthCoast 99 is not easy, and the winning group of 99 employers is constantly evolving, listening, and responding to the needs and desires of today’s talent...We at ERC commend the NorthCoast 99 winners for setting a benchmark for excellence.

— Kelly Keefe, President & CEO, ERC

Celebrating Our 160 Year Legacy

FY24 gave us the opportunity to celebrate our momentous 160-year history that began on March 7th, 1864 when nine children orphaned by the Civil War found solace at a home in Berea, OH and the compassionate mission of OhioGuidestone was born.

A milestone like 160 years couldn’t happen without our dedicated and compassionate employees, countless community partners, generous donors, and legislative advocates. Our 160th birthday party was a testament to the strength of that support.

Nearly every level of government sent dignitaries and framed proclamations acknowledging OhioGuidestone’s longevity and contribution to community behavioral health. Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne praised our work in the community and proclaimed March 7th, 2024, a day to recognize OhioGuidestone for being a pillar of support and compassion in the community since the Civil War. Similar honors came from State Representatives Tom Patton, Bride Rose Sweeney, and Daniel Troy, along with

Did you know? Prior to 2012, we were known as Berea Children’s Home and Family Services.

proclamations from Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, U.S. Congressman Max Miller, and former U.S. Senator, and now Vice President, J.D. Vance.

Blue Technologies stands out as one of OhioGuidestone’s steadfast community partners and a longtime contributor to our events and fundraising. The company president and founder Paul Hanna, along with his wife Margo, surprised us at the celebration with a gift of $160,000—$1,000 for each of our 160 years. The donation was inspired by this video detailing the timeline from March 4th,1864 to March 4th, 2024 and the impact OhioGuidestone has had not only in Northeast Ohio but across the state.

Beyond the formal recognition of our 160 years of service, more than 400 employees from across the organization came together for a memorable celebration at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. Not even the rain could dampen the excitement as staff enjoyed food trucks, live music from Old Skool, and—of course— shared cake. Teams from our Northwest and Central OH area were bussed in to join the festivities, making the day even more special. The event also honored outstanding employees with awards, recognizing their dedication and impact.

160 years of service is a source of pride at OhioGuidestone and sharing the milestone with our team and the community who supports us left us feeling renewed and inspired to take on the next 160 years.

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne presents a proclamation to President and CEO Brant Russell and Board Vice Chair Nancy ShawGoldsmith at our celebration at the Oswald Conference Centre.

Outreach Evolution Gala 2023

Evolution Gala 2023 brought the Roaring 20’s back to life for the night while raising over $600,000 to support OhioGuidestone’s vital mission of providing person-centered behavioral healthcare.

WKYC Chief Meteorologist and News Anchor Betsy Kling served as the emcee in the historic Cleveland Public Auditorium. Kling detailed the numerous music icons who made history on that very stage along with the stories of individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by OhioGuidestone’s services.

Isaiah Campbell, a client of the Workforce 360° program, shared his inspiring journey of personal growth and achievement. Isaiah’s story, alongside the support of his mentors, Jennifer Cholley and Brenin Davidson, served as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of OhioGuidestone’s programs.

The Gala also celebrated the contributions of key partners, including Kristin Warzocha, CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, who received the Community Partner Award and Paul Hanna, founder and CEO of Blue Technologies, who received the OhioGuidestone Corporate Sponsor award.

The more than 400 attendees enjoyed an evening full of delicious food and drinks, a lively auction, a compelling fund-a-need campaign, and captivating entertainment. WKYC’s Monica Robins and her band The Whiskey Kings brought the room to their feet with a live performance.

Evolution Gala 2023 was made possible by the generous support of numerous sponsors, including Kichler, Fifth Third Bank, CFNA, Sherwin Williams, Deloitte, Crossroads Asphalt Recycling, DLL Financial, and Sue & Jeff Hastings.

The generosity and friendly fundraising competition between attendees allowed us to have our most successful fundraiser to date.

The funds raised through the 2023 Evolution Gala support OhioGuidestone’s vital work of providing personcentered care to our clients, from prevention services to workforce development. The event provided a platform to celebrate the organization’s impact, recognize outstanding individuals, and inspire continued support for their critical mission to help clients take steps towards a healthier future.

get involved!

ohioguidestone.org/ evolution-gala for more information and sponsorship opportunities for the 2025 Evolution Gala, taking place at Hotel Cleveland on September 20, 2025.

Enhancing Access Through Walk-In Services

At OhioGuidestone, part of our commitment to growth is about meeting the evolving needs of our communities. As we continue to expand, one significant highlight is our enhanced access to care through our walk-in services. A key element of this growth positions us to serve individuals and families with responsive, personcentered care.

Through walk-in services like our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) Urgent Care, Walk-In Clinics for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), and Rapid Access—we are able to address immediate needs, offer expedited assessments, and essential medications, when needed.

By providing walk-in services without an appointment, individuals and families can receive care when they need it most. These care models also reduce strain on emergency departments and hospitals due to unnecessary visits and hospitalizations. These clinics that address substance use disorder encourage individuals to seek care and begin their recovery journey when they are ready.

Developing our Team for Continued Growth

Despite a nationwide workforce shortage in behavioral healthcare, OhioGuidestone has continued to grow its talented team. During FY24, we achieved a 7.12% increase in full-time employees in Northeast Ohio, growing from 694 to 744 full-time employees. OhioGuidestone ended the fiscal year with 1,216 total employees across the organization. We also transitioned 38 of our skilled interns to OhioGuidestone staff.

This growth was driven by the expansion of services, including the opening of a new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Urgent Care location at our Berea office, allowing us to provide services to more individuals and families in need. Additionally, the launch of the mental health crisis stabilization unit at STARLight, in Fairfield County, enabled us to hire additional staff to address critical community needs.

By investing in our workforce—our greatest asset—we are strengthening our organization to ensure we can continue delivering quality critical care to the communities we serve.

Segrid Lewis (left) and Tianna Cooper (right) of Residential Treatment were recognized for their dedication and passion to OhioGuidestone at an employee event.

New signage in Toledo highlights our walk-in accessible services, part of our commitment to accessible care.

Growth Introducing STARLight

The STARLight Center in Lancaster is a gleaming example of the partnerships between OhioGuidestone and ADAMHS boards across the state, and their efforts to serve smaller communities that are overlooked in favor of larger more densely populated areas.

Members of the Fairfield County ADAMH board funded the construction of STARLight where OhioGuidestone operates the area’s first adult mental health crisis and stabilization center.

STARLight offers both outpatient and residential treatment services.

Previously the Lancaster community had to travel outside the region for residential behavioral health treatment.

Amanda Wattenberg, OhioGuidestone Regional Vice President has been part of the six-year endeavor to bring a mental health crisis and substance use disorder stabilization center to Fairfield County.

She said, “It’s wonderful to see our vision become a reality; STARLight will help light the way for so many to find stabilization, treatment, and recovery services under one roof in Fairfield County.”

Stabilization is a short-term residential program designed to be a safe, secure environment that is less restrictive than a hospital.

Wattenberg said, “Crisis stabilization allows those needing immediate help a place to find hope and healing as opposed to going to the local emergency room.”

STARLight offers 24/7 staffing and support with the goal of safely stabilizing the individual and connect them to resources and support that will help return home relatively quickly.

Eight individuals at-a-time can receive 3-5 days of mental health stabilization, and up to 12 individuals can undergo 30 days of substance use treatment.

Professionally staffed and easily accessible, the newly constructed center, located at 336 East Locust Street in Lancaster, is a safe and welcoming environment for men and women.

GROWTH STATS

7.12% increase in full-time employees in Northeast Ohio

1ST

mental health crisis stabilization unit, both regionally and at OhioGuidestone, located at our new STARLight location

289 adult and youth clients received residential treatment services

We are thrilled to partner with OhioGuidestone, a recognized leader in the field, to provide individuals with the support and care they need for their journey to recovery.

— Marcy Fields, Executive Director, Fairfield County ADAMH Board

Donor Impact

In March of 1864, nine Civil War orphans began a new path to healthier lives, establishing what would become our cornerstone program—youth residential treatment.

From these humble beginnings, OhioGuidestone has grown into Ohio’s leader in community behavioral health, serving 24,650 unique individuals and 19,905 in consultation and prevention services in FY24.

While our programs have evolved to meet the changing behavioral health needs of the communities we serve, the generosity of our supporters remains essential in expanding access to care and creating lasting change.

Your support helps pave the way for brighter futures, ensuring individuals and families have the resources they need to take steps toward a healthier future.

The full list of donors can be found on our website.