A Family Searching for Answers
Andrea was deeply concerned. Her son, Soren, was struggling with significant mental health challenges that affected every part of his life — school, home, friendships, and his sense of self. No matter what she tried, nothing seemed to help. By the time she reached out to PEP Connections to learn more about OhioRISE care coordination, she feared it might be too late.
“I knew we had exhausted every other avenue. We needed support,” Andrea said.
What Is OhioRISE?
OhioRISE — Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence — is a specialized Medicaid-managed care program designed to serve children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs. It integrates physical health, mental health, and community services under one coordinated plan, helping young people function better at home, in school, and in their communities.
OhioRISE provides care coordination, access to specialized services, and individualized supports that prevent crises, reduce hospitalizations, and keep families intact.
Identifying the Gaps That Put Kids at Risk
After enrolling in OhioRISE, Soren was matched with a PEP Connections care coordinator. Working closely with Andrea and Soren, the coordinator quickly identified a major vulnerability: the long stretch of unsupervised time between the end of the school day and when Andrea returned home from work. That gap had become a prime opportunity for Soren’s frustration, impulsivity, and isolation to grow.
“There’s a big gap of time after school ends and when I get home,” Andrea explained. “We needed something to positively engage Soren and help him experience some success.”
This is exactly what OhioRISE is designed to do — recognize the unique needs of each young person and direct resources that prevent crises before they happen.
Connecting Kids to Purpose, Confidence, and Community
PEP Connections, which has many strong community partnerships, connected Soren with a DJ 101 course at the Nerve DJ Institute, a nonprofit education program that teaches skills in DJing, radio broadcasting, and podcasting.
The class met three days a week, giving Soren structured, purposeful activities during a period that had previously been a barrier to success. Almost immediately, things began to change.
“It was hard to get him engaged in the past, but he always wanted to go to class,” Andrea said. “He had almost perfect attendance. It buckled him in and helped him get focused.”
As Soren learned new skills, he made friends, built confidence, and discovered a talent that helped reshape the way he saw himself.
“He’d come home and run to show me what he made that day,” said Andrea. “He even won ‘Best Mix’ one day — he was thrilled.”
On November 19, Soren graduated from the DJ program. He received equipment and access to a music library so he can continue building on his new passion. More importantly, he gained momentum, pride, and a sense of possibility.
The Impact: A Family Stabilized and a Future Reclaimed
Andrea is clear about what made the difference.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity. I wouldn’t be sharing this success story today if we hadn’t received the funding and support from OhioRISE,” she said. “We had exhausted what we could do on our own. That support is what turned things around.”
Soren’s progress shows what’s possible when families have access to the right support at the right time. OhioRISE helps prevent crises, keeps kids stable in their homes and schools, and responsibly invests state dollars in solutions that work. For families like Andrea and Soren, continued funding doesn’t just support services — it changes trajectories.
Learn More
To learn more about PEP Connections and see if OhioRISE care coordination might be a good fit for you family, visit our website. To make a referral, call 216-361-2441.