MACC’s August / September 2025 Newsletter







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MACC’s August / September 2025 Newsletter

ISSUE #4
 


Here’s what has happened, and here’s what’s to come!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

As we step into the fall season, MACC’s commitment to advancing equity and cultural competence in behavioral health continues to grow in both reach and impact. August and September have been filled with opportunities to deepen partnerships, expand training, and engage in meaningful dialogue across Ohio.

We are proud to be building Ohio’s Navigator Program, extending our capacity to connect individuals and families with the behavioral health services and supports they need. This collaboration represents an important step forward in ensuring access, equity, and culturally responsive care for all communities.

Looking ahead, we are preparing for The Right Dose: Senior Overdose Prevention Summit in Cleveland this month—a timely and necessary gathering designed to bring seniors, caregivers, and community advocates together around safe medication practices and overdose prevention.

At the same time, we continue to advance The Right Conversation initiative, supporting families and providers in creating spaces where open dialogue, prevention, and healing can flourish.

Each of these efforts reflects MACC’s ongoing mission to not only provide training and education, but to serve as a bridge—bringing together people, stories, and strategies that lead to real change in behavioral health systems.

As always, we invite you to stay engaged with MACC. Whether through training, partnership, or shared community events, there is a place for you in this work.

The MACC Team
 

 
 
 

ABOUT MULTIETHNIC ADVOCATES FOR CULTURAL COMPETENCE (MACC)

For over 20 years, MACC has been Ohio’s leading voice for cultural competence, empowering hundreds of organizations across behavioral health, government, criminal justice, higher education, healthcare, nonprofit, and business sectors through thousands of trainings that foster equitable services and culturally responsive workplaces.

 

 
 
 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Culturally Competent Care for the Latinx Community Training September 4, 1-4pm

Supporting Trauma-Exposed Youth Facing Substance Use and Suicide Risk Training September 10, 1-4pm

Supervising Self-Management in the Field of Behavioral Health Training – 2 CEU’s offered September 18, 10am-12pm

Preventing Substance Misuse in Pregnant Teens Training Part One – 2 CEU’s offered
September 16, 10am-12pm

Preventing Substance Misuse in Pregnant Teens Training Part Two – 2 CEU’s offered
September 30, 10am-12pm

The Right Dose Senior Overdose Prevention Summit – Cleveland September 23, 10am-3pm

MACC Out and About!

Guadalupe Velasquez leads MACC’S Culturally Competent Care in the Latino Community training at the Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland in August.
 

 


MACC Projects to Note

Ohio Navigator Needs Assessment & Evaluation work continues to grow!

Project Update – August 2025

 

At MACC, we believe every Ohioan deserves support that is easy to navigate and rooted in cultural understanding. That’s why we are partnering with the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OMHAS) and community leaders on the Ohio Navigator Evaluation Needs Assessment.
 

Over the past few months, we’ve listened to the voices of navigators, providers, and families across the state. Their stories are helping us see what is working well and where barriers still exist when people try to find care and resources.
 

Together, we are mapping the Navigator system, building a new training program, and shaping recommendations with the help of our Stakeholder Advisory Committee. The goal is simple: to give Navigators the tools they need to walk alongside individuals and families, ensuring no one feels lost when reaching out for help.
 

This fall, we will share a final report and new training materials that will guide Ohio toward a stronger, more connected system of navigation—one that meets people where they are and reflects the diversity of our communities.

 


The Right Conversation

Our newest initiative, The Right Conversation, is designed to support families in having open, honest discussions about substance use and mental health challenges. When loved ones feel heard and supported, the path to healing becomes more possible.
 

We’ve developed a practical, easy-to-use flyer with conversation starters, tips for offering support, and resources for additional help. Whether you’re reaching out to a friend, sibling, parent, or child—this guide can help you start the right conversation at the right time.
 

We’re proud to expand this program across Ohio and invite you to download the flyer today at www.maccinc.net/empower


Join us in Cleveland for a full-day summit designed to educate and empower seniors, caregivers, home health professionals, family members, and community advocates on safe medication use and overdose prevention in older adults

Through expert speakers, panel discussions, interactive demonstrations, and community conversations, attendees will learn practical strategies to reduce risk and support healthier aging.

Bring your medications for a one-on-one review with a licensed pharmacist.

Boxed lunches provided.

All are welcome! FREE to attend.    REGISTER HERE
 

Learn more by watching the video below!


Alan K. Nevel of Intethiq discussing The Right Dose – Cleveland on NBC’s WKYC 3 News

DATES TO KNOW – AUGUST

  • National Civility Month
  • International Peace Month
  • National Wellness Month
  • Black Business Month
  • August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
  • August 19 – World Humanitarian Day
  • August 26 – US Women’s Equality Day
  • August 31 – International Overdose Awareness Day

DATES TO KNOW – SEPTEMBER

  • Hispanic Heritage Month
  • National Recovery Month
  • National Suicide Prevention Month
  • September 1 – Labor Day
  • September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
  • September 11 – Patriot Day
  • September 23 – International Day of Sign Language
  • September 26 – National Native American Day

A monthly space for reflections, updates, and important news from MACC Executive Director, Erica C. Crawley, JD, MPA . Stay connected with her latest insights and the work happening across our organization.


As summer begins to give way to fall, I’ve been reflecting on the rhythm of growth, renewal, and resilience that continues to guide MACC’s work.

August and September have been seasons of both expansion and grounding. From the rollout of new trainings across Ohio to welcoming several new trainers into our network, each step forward reflects our commitment to making culturally responsive care not just an idea, but a lived reality.

This time has also reminded us of the power of showing up with consistency and care. Whether hosting dynamic community conversations or preparing for the upcoming Right Dose Senior Overdose Prevention Summit in Cleveland, we are seeing the strength of collective impact in action. We are especially encouraged by the growing demand for our foundational and advanced trainings—from CLAS Standards to

Trauma-Informed Care. These requests affirm both the urgency and the hope within our communities, and they push us to continue building a network of trainers and subject matter experts that reflect the diversity and lived experiences of Ohio’s communities.

As always, I invite you to:

  • Stay curious—each dialogue is an opening to learn more deeply.
  • Get connected—your voice strengthens this movement.
  • Care for yourself—our collective resilience begins with individual well-being.

Together, we are building a future where equity, inclusion, and cultural humility are at the center of behavioral health. I am grateful for each of you who walks this path alongside us.

Thank you for reading!

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Copyright © 2025  Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC), All rights reserved.

https://www.maccinc.net

Our mailing address is:
2323 W. Fifth Avenue, Suite 160, Columbus, OH 43214

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