The Sober College School of Addiction Studies (SCSAS) is an Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDPB) Approved Education Provider for those who are looking to become an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant (OCPSA). We offer a flexible and comprehensive training program that can help you become a OCPSA in as little as 6 months. Created by Professionals working in the fields of Addiction and Addiction Treatment our training course will provide you with the knowledge and education you need to reach your goals and begin a new career. Completed at your own pace or in as little as 6 months, our training curriculum will get you well on your way.
To learn more about our one-of-a-kind education training program and becoming a OCPSA in Ohio give us a call at 424.229.4179.
How to Become an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant (OCPSA)
Below are the requirements for becoming an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant (OCPSA) based on the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDPB) site.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age and hold a High School Diploma or GED
- 100 hours of AOD prevention related paid or volunteer work experience.
- 45 clock hours of prevention-related training in the specified foundations and domains
- Supervisor verification of plan and timeline to complete credentialing process.
Prevention-Specialist Education Areas
The following subject matter represents content areas appropriate for prevention education. For a more comprehensive explanation of the domain areas, please access the IC&RC Candidates Guide for the Prevention Examination.
Foundation I: Foundation in Chemical Use/Abuse/Dependency
- Risk factors that increase risk for ATOD (illicit, prescribed and over-the-counter) drug use, abuse and substance use disorders
- Protective factors that reduce risk for ATOD use, abuse and substance use disorders
- ATOD-related health and impairment problems
- Trends and current issues related to ATOD use, abuse, substance use disorders and behavioral health
- Not allowable: Education/training on assessment or counseling techniques
Foundation II: Foundation in Prevention of AOD Use/Abuse/Dependency
- Prevention science on ATOD use, abuse, substance use disorders and other behavioral health problems
- Historical perspectives on prevention
- Prevention theory and research
- Current prevention program models
Ethics for Prevention
- Professional code(s) of conduct/ethics related to the prevention profession
Domain I: Planning & Evaluation
- Information gathering and data analysis techniques
- Stages of community readiness
- Assessment of community conditions
- Strategies to build community capacity
- Strategic planning processes
- Logic models as a planning and evaluation tool
- Theory of Change concepts
- Problem prioritization strategies
- Components of effective prevention program planning
- Effective, outcome-focused prevention programming development
- Prevention program evaluation instruments/models/strategies
- Validity, reliability and cultural relevancy of evaluation instruments/models
- Evaluation activities to document program fidelity
- Sustainability strategies
Domain II: Education & Skill Development
- Training and group facilitation techniques
- Prevention strategies best practices and models
- Learning styles, instructional strategies and presentation methods
- Information gathering techniques and data sources
- Training evaluation models, instruments and processes
- Current behavioral health trends and research
- Prevention resources for instructional programming
- Cultural diversity and competency
- Prevention intervention protocols
Domain III: Community Organization
- Strategies for mentoring and organizing community members
- Understanding community characteristics
- Strategies for capacity-building, engagement and collaboration
- Strategies for identifying community readiness and moving leaders to higher levels of readiness
- Advocacy strategies and promotion techniques
- Intercommunity organizational structures and patterns of communication
- Elements of formal agreements
- Negotiating skills and strategies
- Networking and outreach strategies
Domain IV: Public Policy & Environmental Change
- Political processes
- Evidence-based prevention policies
- Environmental change strategies
- Theory of Change concepts
- Socio-ecological systems theories
- Public health model
- Current behavioral health trends and research
- Advocacy and lobbying (and their differences)
Domain V: Professional Growth & Responsibility
- Basic budget requirements set by funders
- Recipient rights and informed consent
- Health disparities that impact diverse communities
- Healthy living strategies
- Conflict resolution strategies
- Organizational dynamics and characteristics
- Regulations and practices regarding ethical fundraising
- Conflicts of interest