Crisis Intervention

dark silhouette of a man walking towards a bright light

Experiencing or witnessing violence can significantly impact the way we see the world. Our research helps to reduce victimization and increase treatment options for those impacted by violence, while influencing policy and practice related to violence exposure.


Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHC)

June 2021 - present

The Begun Center serves as evaluation and training partner for various CCBHC grants. Grant funding for the CCBHC evaluations is awarded from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) over a 2-year period of time. The purpose of this federal grant is to increase access to and improve the quality of community mental health and substance use disorder treatment services through the expansion of CCBHCs. CCBHCs provide person- and family-centered integrated services.

Crossroads Health (Mentor, OH) CCBHC evaluation is led by Michelle Riske-Morris. Crossroads will expand to provide enhanced Mobile Crisis Services; expand the scope and intensity of evidence-based services for co-occurring disorders; specialized services for veterans; and physical healthcare in one single location. 

The Centers for Families and Children CCBHC evaluation is also led by Michelle Riske-Morris.

The Northeast Ohio Recovery Association (NORA) CCBHC training is provided by the Center for Innovative Practices and the Center for Evidence-Based Practices. “Our new location in Mid-Town Cleveland, Ohio, and enhanced operational efficiencies will help us continue to treat individuals impacted by alcohol and other drugs and let us not forget the stress steaming from the Covid-19 virus. In addition, these dollars will allow us to provide exceptional value and superior service along the way, “said Anita Bradley, President and CEO of NORA.

The Nord Center (Lorain, OH) CCBHC evaluation is led by Jeff Kretschmar and will be particularly focused on the impact care coordination has on health outcomes for clients.

Jewish Family Services Association Forward Focus Evaluation

June 2018 - present

The Begun Center continues our collaborative work with the Jewish Family Services Association as we provide further technical assistance and evaluate the impact of the Forward Focus program, which provides financial literacy to community members in financial distress, including budgeting, debt reduction, employment, housing, transportation, and dependent care.

In addition to continuing past efforts of assisting with data collection and conducting a pre and post analysis of the Self Sufficiency Matrix data, we will drill down to explore the impact of dosage for those who receive some services but not the full program, conduct a basic cost benefit analysis, and provide training and technical assistance around qualitative metrics, namely structured case notes, to capture the efforts of Forward Focus that may not be captured by the Self-Sufficiency Matrix.

Funder: Jewish Family Services Association

Research Team: Rachel Lovell (Principal Investigator), Laura T. Overman


Prior Work

Suicide Prevention Initiatives

Ohio Campaign for Hope Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative

January 2016 - June 2021

The Begun Center served as a research and evaluation partner to the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation for the Ohio Campaign for Hope Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative, a three-year youth suicide prevention campaign funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Serving Ohio Guardsmen and Women

September 2018 - June 2021

The Begun Center served as evaluator for this three-year, SAMHSA-funded grant campaign that seeks to empower Ohio’s military, their families, and those serving them to take ownership of their mental health, engage in positive mental health strategies, and be aware of the resources available in Ohio to support them in times of need. This project was facilitated by the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPV) and trains Ohio National Guard members in Mental Health First Aid in order to recognize and refer those at risk of suicide. 

Project IMPACTT

September 2013 - June 2021

The Begun Center provided evaluation services for the HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) funded Project IMPACTT, administered by the Cleveland Clinic health system, serving children and youth with epilepsy. IMPACTT (Integrating Mobile Provider Access for Telemedicine and Transition) seeks to improve care for this young population, who are at increased risk of being bullied, having depression and anxiety, and suicide. Telemedicine includes face to face cameras allowing patients to meet with providers virtually, and use of Cleveland Clinic's record keeping and communication system MyChart. This project sought to make families partners in decision making using a medical home model, and uses Got Transition framework to help youth transition from the pediatric to adult system of health care.

Ohio State Suicide Prevention Plan

October 2020 - June 2021

At the direction of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, the Begun Center undertook an evaluation of the State Suicide Prevention Plan for Ohio, which encompasses five strategies, including 13 goals and 43 objectives. The goal of the evaluation is to provide metrics and measurement for each of the identified objectives. The evaluator will work with OSPF staff to understand the framing of the strategies, goals and objectives, as well as progress to date, developing a plan for measurement. A combination of surveillance, quality improvement and research projects, gathering data from a variety of sources, will be undertaken. Like many states, Ohio has seen a rise in suicides during the past decade. The aim of the plan is to reduce suicide in Ohio, and the evaluation will document progress toward this important goal.


Bullying Prevention

The Begun Center served as a research and evaluation partner to the StandUp Bullying Prevention Program, which tests a newly-developed computer-administered bullying prevention program for high school students.