Are you looking for a credentialed professional to support you in planning and implementing programs for youth, families, and community members on behavioral health and wellness topics?

Prevention Specialists have demonstrated competency in the field of prevention and understand the importance of working with partners to select and implement evidence-based practices that promote healthy lifestyles, social and emotional learning, and positive mental and behavioral health. Read on to learn more about Prevention Specialists: who they are; what they do; where they work; why they matter; and how to connect with one in your community.

Prevention Specialists are highly driven professionals who are passionate about the field of prevention and bring specialized knowledge, strengths, and life experiences to the table. They come from diverse backgrounds, including public health, social work, psychology, counseling, nursing, business, and education. They are excellent planners, presenters, communicators, and collaborators who adapt to working with any population or setting. Prevention Specialists must pass a prevention exam and maintain annual credentialing to be certified by the State of Ohio. For more information on the requirements to become a Prevention Specialist, please visit the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board website and look under the Prevention Credentials tab.

Prevention Specialists collaborate with others to plan, select, and implement evidence-based, culturally appropriate strategies. These strategies focus on preventing issues impacting youth and adults across the lifespan, including alcohol and drug use and misuse, violence, teen pregnancy, incarceration, suicide, and problem gambling. Prevention Specialists also work to promote health and wellness by implementing strategies to support the development of important skills needed by everyone such as: social and self-awareness, relationship skills, self-management, and responsible decision-making.
Prevention Specialists work in places like schools and after-school or summer programs; colleges and universities; courts and reentry programs; non-profit organizations; community behavioral health organizations; and local government agencies. They also serve on community coalitions or boards and team up with stakeholders to impact community change. Prevention Specialists are always looking for new settings to showcase their expertise, so do not let yourself be limited by the settings you see here!

Prevention Specialists are trained in the most current prevention science. This training allows them to understand the onset, development, and trajectory of social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Therefore, Prevention Specialists are a valuable resource when selecting and implementing interventions that support the positive development of individuals, families, organizations, and communities. Prevention Specialists utilize an asset-based approach to impact health outcomes using strategies that are developmentally and culturally relevant and accessible to all individuals and communities. Working with a Prevention Specialist will strengthen your ability to create an environment in your community for children, youth, and adults to thrive.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH A PREVENTION SPECIALIST:

Are you looking to find a Prevention Specialist to support your efforts to educate and empower youth and families to make informed decisions about health and wellness? Good places to start looking for a Prevention Specialist to add to your team include your local Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Board (ADAMH), health department, prevention organization, or community action agency in your area.
A chemical design professional working in a laboratory environment.

For more information on how to become a Prevention Specialist, please visit the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board website.

To connect with Prevention Specialists across Ohio, please visit the Ohio Prevention Professionals Association website OPPAs membership includes prevention professionals, educators, community leaders, and other Ohioans in every corner of our state. If you support prevention in Ohio, you can be a member of OPPA.

Partial view of a sign reading 'Department of Behavioral'.
The DBH Office of Prevention Services is dedicated to building a workforce that is capable of sustaining community-based prevention strategies and growing the use of evidence-based practices rooted in the science of prevention. For more information, please visit the Prevention Services page on the DBH website.