Interface Program
Developmental Disability / Mental Health Services
Since 1979, the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Interface Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has been planning for and providing services to families and persons with a dual diagnosis of developmental disability / mental health disorder.
Eligibility / Referral
The Interface Program provides services to individuals who have, or are thought to have, a dual diagnosis of developmental disability / mental health disorder (DD/MH). Interface serves all ages of children, adolescents and adults. Referrals to Interface can be made by calling the Interface referral line, 513-636-3113.
Services
The Interface Program is a unique, specialized provider in Hamilton County, Ohio. Interface provides technical assistance, training and consultation to professionals in the mental health, MR/DD, school and criminal justice and other systems who provide services to families, children and adults with developmental disabilities and co-existing mental health disorders.
Consultation Services
Interface provides consultation services to agencies, professionals, family members, teachers and residential service providers regarding specific individuals with dual diagnosis or the development, design and implementation of services for these clients. Interface provides case consultation services to assist referral sources in their work with clients and program consultation services to assist service planners in the development of new services, or the modification of existing services, to meet he unique needs of this population.
Training and Education
Interface provides training, workshops and conference presentations and lectures aimed at educating the professional and lay communities about the unique needs and clinical issues facing clients with dual diagnosis. Some of the training topics include:
- Crisis Intervention
- Behavior Management Techniques
- Sexuality and Developmental Disability
- Team-Building and Effective Service Collaboration
- Issues in the Residential Treatment of Persons with Dual Diagnosis
- The Mental Health Aspects of Mental Retardation
Service System Advocacy and Collaboration
Through these services, Interface works with multiple agencies in multiple service systems to identify and develop strategies to close gaps in services to this population. Interface serves on the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities – Ohio Department of Mental Health Advisory Committee and consults with numerous other community workgroups that have formed to address the needs of this population.
Resources
- National Association on Dual Diagnosis (NADD)
NADD is a not-for-profit membership association established for professionals, care providers and families to promote understating of and services for individuals who have developmental disabilities and mental health needs. The mission of NADD is to advance mental wellness for persons with developmental disabilities through the promotion of excellence in mental heath care. NADD is recognized as the world's leading organization in providing educational services, training materials, conferences as well as consultation services. NADD has been influential in the development of appropriate community based policies, programs and opportunities in addressing the mental health needs of persons with mental retardation. - Hamilton County Dual Diagnosis Task Force
The Hamilton County Dual Diagnosis Task Force was established in June of 2004. This is a group of professionals who represent agencies in Hamilton County that provide services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental illness. The group typically meets monthly to identify and address current system barriers, plan for systems cross trainings, and other training needs related to dual diagnosis in the community. A main goal for this group is to work together to nurture collaboration among community agencies, funders, and consumers in identifying and closing service gaps. - Ohio Coordinating Center for Excellence in Dual Diagnosis
The Ohio Coordinating Center for Excellence in Dual Diagnosis (MI/MRDD CCOE) is a three year grant funded project. The CCOE Dual Diagnosis design is that of a virtual center organized around a collaborative partnership of expertise which includes the Wright State University Department of Psychiatry, The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Division of Developmental Disabilities, and Case Western Reserve University along with the Cuyahoga County Board of MR/DD.
The partnership intends to develop: 1) four regional training programs where identified systemic and clinical best practices will be presented; 2) a series of consultative mini-grants to foster collaboration at local levels across the state to increase service capacity; 3) consultative services in Ohio for clinicians treating individuals with dual diagnosis; 4) research efforts and identification of other funding sources to expand systemic and clinical best practices for individuals with dual diagnosis living in Ohio.
The Ohio CCOE has been made possible through funding provided by the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH), the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (ODMRDD) and the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council.
The Interface Program is funded by the Hamilton County Community Mental Health Board.
For more information about the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's, please call 513-636-4611 (or) 1-800-344-2462 ext. 4611.
