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Defining Prevention
Prevention often overlaps with or is part of the work of many different professions and community efforts. How prevention is defined and the level of efficacy can vary depending on the background, experience, and understanding of a person. The Ohio prevention credentials establish a universal and thorough understanding of prevention and evidence-based practices. Credentials provide a trusted measure of professional credibility to the public, employers, and funders. To receive an Ohio prevention credential individuals/professionals must demonstrate competency through experience, education, supervision, and passing an exam. The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board administers the Ohio Certified Prevention credentialing process.
Getting Started
The Ohio Certified Prevention credentialing process can be complicated and time-consuming. The OCAM Network is available to answer questions and provide support during this process.
Are you doing prevention work?
If you are currently delivering prevention services, we strongly advise you to apply to receive your prevention credentials. Individuals who deliver prevention services can be community members, volunteers, or paid professionals.
What are prevention services?
Prevention services are a comprehensive, multi-system set of individual and environmental approaches that maximize physical health, mental well-being, and promote safety. Prevention services occur BEFORE the onset of a behavioral health disorder/diagnosis.
Examples of prevention services:
- Leading/participating a community anti-drug coalition
- Leading/participating a suicide prevention coalition
- Providing prevention education such as Life Skills Training, Project Towards No Drug Abuse, Sources of Strength
Questions about prevention services?
Contact info@ocamnetwork.org or rjones@prevention-first.org
Ohio Certified Prevention Credential Levels
Registered Applicant (RA)
- 18 years of age or older
- High School Diploma or GED
- Complete Professional Development Plan
- 13 month certification
- Required supervision by one of the following: OCPS, OCPC, or CHES
Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant (OCPSA)
- 18 years of age or older
- High School Diploma or GED
- 100 hours of prevention related experience (paid/volunteer)
- 45 hours of prevention education in specified content areas
- Required supervision by one of the following: OCPS, OCPC, or CHES
Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist (OCPS)
- Associate degree or higher
- Must have OCPSA for a minimum of 8 months before applying
- 120 hours of prevention education in specified content areas
- 120 hours of practical experience in the six performance domain areas
- Required supervision by one of the following: OCPS (for most, but not all scope of practice), OCPC, or CHES
- Pass the ICRC International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC) Prevention Examination
Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant (OCPC)
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Must have held an OCPS for at least 2 years
- 4,000 hours work in administrating/supervising prevention services
- A minimum of 20 hours in both PS1: Personnel Supervision & Program Management as well as PS2: Administrative & Consultation Education
- Must have a total of 60 of PS1 and PS2 all together
Prevention Domains:
P1: Planning & Evaluation
P2: Prevention Education & Service Delivery
P3: Communications
P4: Community Organization
P5: Public Policy & Environmental Change
P6: Professional Growth & Responsibility
Ethics
Cultural Competency
PS1: Personnel Supervision & Program Management
PS2: Administration & Consultation
Additional Information on Credentialing:
Click Here for the Updated Prevention Rules
Click Here for the Updated OCPC Requirements
To learn more about what prevention credentials are, what they mean, and how to get them watch this video: Ohio Prevention Credentialing Overview
Need help navigating the Ohio Chemical Dependency Board's new website? Click Here
Don’t know where to start on your Prevention Education Grid? Watch this! How to Complete Education Grid Video
Not sure how to find your license number? Click Here
Helpful Graphics:
Don't Know Where To Start? First Steps
Submitting your Application for Your RA
Professional Development Pathway Opportunities Provided by OCAM
