Ohio's Multi-System Youth (MSY), children and adolescents who require support across multiple systems including mental health, developmental disabilities, foster care, juvenile justice, and Medicaid-funded services, deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.

For families like mine, March, April, and May already hold deep significance. These months recognize Developmental Disabilities Awareness, Autism Acceptance, and Mental Health Awareness. Yet for MSY families, these challenges overlap every day.

That is why we are proposing MSY92 Awareness Season, spanning March 1 to May 31. This 92-day period would honor Ohio's commitment to integrated care, build on progress like OhioRISE, and help end harmful practices like custody relinquishment to access services.

Recent budget language directs state agencies to study MSY needs and report back next year. This is the perfect time to show that no child or family should be left invisible.

By signing this petition, you are asking Ohio leaders to formally establish MSY92 Awareness Season and to continue moving toward a future where every child is supported without barriers.

Did you know?

• People with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD) are at higher risk for behavioral health conditions. Up to 2M Americans with IDD have a co-occurring condition.
• According to a 2024 data brief from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, children with autism are at higher risk for having a mental health condition? Studies found that nearly 78% of Ohio children with autism have at least one co-occurring mental health disorder, including anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
• Until 2024, children who needed psychiatric residential treatment had to be sent out of state to get residential care? Thanks to continued progress and investment through programs like OhioRISE, our state has been able to open new residential treatment facilities to ensure families can stay together.
• In 2021, 24% of all foster care placements were due to intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), behavioral health needs or diversion from juvenile detention.
• 1 in 3 children in the United States with a mental health condition have two or more conditions occurring at once.

Please sign to show your support. Share to spread awareness. Help create lasting change for Ohio families.