Policy & Advocacy
Policy change is one of the most effective and direct prevention strategies. In response to this year’s community improvement plan, which identifies youth mental health as a major area of concern, B.A.T.S. youth have developed a Policy and Advocacy Team to raise awareness about and advocate for youth mental health. The B.A.T.S. Policy Group researches and discusses local and state policies that greatly impact youth.
Past projects
In December of 2025, they met with local and state officials and testified in opposition to House Bill 172, a proposal that would prohibit mental health services to minors without parental consent.
In January of 2026, the B.A.T.S. policy group met with community leaders from Springfield, Ohio (police officers, judges, firefighters, etc.) to understand how SB 303 could affect their everyday work and our community. SB 303 seeks to lower the age requirement to purchase a handgun from 21 to 18.
