OhioMHAS is planning regional, introductory-level NOVA Crisis Response Team Trainings. The free trainings will take place between May and October, in each of Ohio’s six regional psychiatric hospital catchment areas (see map). These hands-on, practical trainings, designed by the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA), will be three days long and geared toward mental health professionals, victim advocates, law enforcement personnel, and others who confront human crisis in their work.

During the trainings, which are funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Grant, instructors will explain the impact of trauma on individuals and groups, explore crisis intervention theory, and prepare participants to respond with appropriate psychological intervention. Participants who complete the training will receive a NOVA Certificate and be offered the opportunity to sign up for the Ohio Crisis Response Team (OCRT), a highly qualified, all-volunteer mobilization group that may be deployed to respond to traumatic events in Ohio and other states. 

OhioMHAS is currently scheduling up to 12 trainings, which will each be open to 25 Ohio residents on a first-come, first-served basis.

• The Summit regional area’s training dates are confirmed for July 22-24, 2024, and Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2024, and will be held at the Montgomery County ADAMHS Board in Dayton.
• The Twin Valley regional area’s training dates are confirmed for June 5-7, 2024, and July 10-12, 2024, and will be held at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in Columbus.
• The Northcoast regional area’s training dates are confirmed for Aug. 27-29, 2024, and Oct. 8-10, 2024, and will be held at the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County.
• We are working on other catchment area training dates and locations and will provide updates.

If you are interested in registering for a NOVA Crisis Response Team Training or if you would like more information about the trainings, please email Mary Ann Sparks at maryann.sparks@mha.ohio.gov. We are in the process of applying for CEUs. If you have a professional license, please provide that information when you register.