In 2007, the Ohio Commission on Minority Health (OCMH) moved to create an infrastructure and presence at the local level through the establishment of the Local Offices on Minority Health within urban areas in Ohio. This initiative became the first of its kind by a state agency in the nation. In an effort to develop a model for the nation, the OCMH spearheaded the creation of national performance standards and/or core competencies for Local Offices on Minority Health in collaboration with NASOMH.
These offices are located in Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown.
The Ohio Local Offices on Minority Health, a grant program extension of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health are dedicated to eliminating health disparities in minority communities through monitoring and reporting the health status of minority populations, informing, educating and empowering people, mobilizing community partnerships and actions and developing policies and plans to support health efforts.
The four (4) competencies of the local offices of minority health are as follows:
1. Monitor Health Status
2. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.
3. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems
4. Develop Policies that support individual and community health efforts.