enCompass Trainings for Families and Communities

Governor DeWine’s RecoveryOhio Initiative and the Addiction Policy Forum are partnering with county Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services boards to host enCompass, a comprehensive training on navigating addiction for Ohioans. This free training session is virtual and open to all adults who want to learn more about addiction and have the skills to respond. Attendees often include families, friends, caregivers, clergy, law enforcement, first responders, healthcare providers, employers, educators, community-based service providers, and anyone interested in learning how to respond to substance use/co-occurring disorders. Like CPR, the course is designed to build the skills to support and respond to someone who needs help. The training will also help participants navigate the resources available in your own community. Click HERE for a current list of upcoming training dates/locations and registration information.

Columbia Protocol Suicide Risk Assessment Trainings

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, in partnership with OhioMHAS and the Columbia Lighthouse Project, will host free trainings featuring the Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The Protocol supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask. The answers help users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs. The workshops, which are planned for June 23, July 21, Aug. 26 and Sept. 24, will be facilitated by Columbia University Professor Adam Lesser. Click HERE for more information, including specific training dates and times, and to register online. Questions? Please email Austin Lucas at austin.lucas@ohiospf.org.

Job Analysis Survey for LCDC II, III and LICDC License Holders

The International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) invites all LCDCII, III and LICDCs to participate in the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Job Analysis Survey. This survey will be used to identify tasks and knowledge reflective of the professional role of an Alcohol and Drug Counselor. The results of the survey will help develop the specifications for the IC&RC ADC certification exam. Participation in this survey is voluntary. Individual responses will be kept confidential and will be combined with those of other respondents. The deadline to complete the survey is June 1.

COVID-19 Youth Vaccinations

Last week, Governor Mike DeWine announced COVID-19 Pfizer vaccinations are now available to Ohio's youth age 12 years and older, following members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for this age group. The Ohio Department of Health has created a new Frequently Asked Questions document to answer common questions from parents, guardians, and youth about COVID-19 vaccines. The document shares information about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, parental consent, where children can be vaccinated, and more. Just like adults, youth can be vaccinated at many locations across the state that are offering the Pfizer vaccine. This vaccine is available at Children’s Hospitals, as well as a number of regular hospitals, local health departments, retail pharmacies, community health centers, primary care physicians, and some pediatricians. Additionally, Ohioans 17 and under who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination can register to be entered into a drawing for a full, four-year scholarship to any of Ohio's state colleges and universities, including full tuition, room and board, and books. A total of five weekly drawings for a full, four-year scholarship will take place, with the first winner being announced on May 26.