StarkMHAR Trainings
About StarkMHAR Trainings
Working in partnership with clients, families, healthcare, and behavioral health providers, local county systems such as education, criminal justice, law enforcement, health and human services, elected officials, businesses, faith-based organizations, and community members, StarkMHAR strives to offer a full curriculum of educational events to inspire innovation and to ensure accountability and effectiveness in our local system of client care.
Registration
While most StarkMHAR trainings are free of charge, registration is necessary to be admitted on the training date(s).
Registration Information
Attendance Policy
Cancellations
If you are unable to attend a scheduled training, please notify the Training Coordinator by email at least (2) two business days prior to the training to avoid any applicable fees. For full details regarding cancellations, substitutions, and fees, please refer to the Attendance Policy.
Continuing Education Units
Continuing Education Units (CEU) Information
Training Newsletter
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Questions
For training questions, please contact the Training Coordinator or 330-455-6644
NOVEMBER 2026
Overview of Hoarding and Ways to Help
Nov 9 | 1:00 PM – 4:15 PM @ Virtual
Hoarding disorder is the persistent acquisition and failure to discard a large number of possessions due to urges to save. Attempts to limit acquisition or discarding of possessions results in intense distress. These acquiring and saving behaviors result in highly cluttered and often unsafe living environments. Hoarding disorder is a significant problem for 2.6% of the general population with higher rates for people over 60 years old. The risk inherent in many hoarding situations is high not only because the living environment is cluttered and often dilapidated but because individuals, particularly older individuals, lack the physical, psychological, and social capacity to live safely and comfortably in highly cluttered environments. Hoarding disorder is a serious and growing problem that can lead to eviction, homelessness, and death. Those with the problem often have other psychiatric disorders as well as little awareness of the consequences they face living in a hoarding environment. Overview of Hoarding Disorder and Ways to Help is a 3-hour course that presents the essential features of hoarding disorder, an overview of helping options, as well specific skills that clinicians can teach individuals to manage the problem.
Differential Diagnosis with ADHD, Anxiety, & Trauma
Nov 12 | 9:00 am – 12:15 pm @ Virtual
Participants will get an overview of signs and symptoms of each of these diagnoses. Criteria, red flags and using a decision tree to determine the direction of the label, treatment plan and referral needs will be discussed. ADHD and the implications and signs of this diagnosis will be the focus, with discussion on how anxiety and trauma can cloud the picture or co-exist alongside. Asking questions to determine next steps and misconceptions that come from social media will be covered.
Q.P.R. – Question. Persuade. Refer.
Nov 12 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM @ Stark Library – Jackson Community Branch
QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.) is an evidence-based training that teaches three simple steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught Gatekeeper training in the world.
Gas Station Pharmacology: Legal Loopholes, Current Trends, and Best Practices from National and Ohio Perspectives
Nov 18 | 1:00 pm – 4:15 pm @ Virtual
The landscape of psychoactive substances is evolving faster than regulatory frameworks can keep pace. From semi-synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 to kratom-derived 7-OH, tianeptine, and nitrous oxide, behavioral health professionals are increasingly encountering clients who use substances that exist in legal gray zones, carry significant health risks, and are poorly understood by both the public and many clinicians. Join Dr. Aaron Weiner for an evidence-based overview of the most prevalent unregulated and semi-regulated psychoactive substances currently available at retail outlets, including their pharmacology, health risks, addiction potential, and regulatory status. Attendees will also explore practical, motivation-based clinical strategies and best practices for engaging clients who use these substances, moving beyond fact-delivery toward values-aligned conversations that build genuine readiness for change. Cameron McNamee, Director of Policy and Communications from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, will provide an Ohio perspective, including current state and local considerations, an overview of the regulatory landscape, and areas where gaps or challenges may still exist. His presentation will help connect the national trends discussed by Dr. Weiner to what behavioral health professionals are seeing and navigating here in Ohio.
DECEMBER 2026
Effective Clinical Supervision in Behavioral Health
Dec 3 | 9:00 am – 12:15 pm @ Virtual
Participants will explore the importance of the relationship in clinical supervision and the supervisor’s role in companioning with the supervisee. The workshop explores the significance of vulnerability and authenticity in the supervisee relationship. Motivational Interviewing will serve as the framework for learning how to “lead in an MI way”. Ethical implications will be reviewed and requirements in the supervisory role will be covered.
Q.P.R. – Question. Persuade. Refer.
Dec 7 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM @ Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (StarkMHAR)
QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.) is an evidence-based training that teaches three simple steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught Gatekeeper training in the world.
Beyond the Basics: Practical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Skills for Clinicians Providing Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment
Dec 10 | 9:00 am – 12:15 pm @ Virtual
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely researched and effective evidence-based approaches for treating a broad range of mental health and substance use issues. This presentation reviews the core principles of the CBT model, its empirical support, and the role of the therapeutic relationship in promoting meaningful client change. Participants will learn how to utilize the Strengths-Based Cognitive Conceptualization Diagram (SB-CCD) to guide case conceptualization and evidence-based treatment planning while exploring how CBT is applied throughout the counseling process. Practical cognitive and behavioral interventions will be demonstrated through clinical examples and an applied case study, equipping attendees with strategies they can immediately integrate into practice.
CIT Dispatcher Training
Dec 16 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm @ StarkMHAR
Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery supports the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training of law enforcement professionals in our community. Crucial to reducing violence and ensuring successful intervention of mental health and substance use situations, dispatchers are trained in proven and effective communication techniques. The CIT model was first developed and implemented in 1988 by the Memphis, Tennessee Police Department. The Team was developed to address the special challenges to law enforcement posed by persons with mental illness and to better serve the community. Emergency dispatchers are a critical link in the CIT program and may include call-takers, dispatchers and 911 operators. The success of CIT depends on their familiarity with the CIT program, knowledge of how to recognize a CIT call involving a behavioral crisis event, ability to solicit information that will help the community member and the responding CIT Officer, and appropriate dispatch of CIT Officers.
FEBRUARY 2027
Q.P.R. – Question. Persuade. Refer.
Feb 18 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM @ Stark County Educational Service Center
QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.) is an evidence-based training that teaches three simple steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught Gatekeeper training in the world.
MARCH 2027
Screening for Risk of Violence & Managing Your Duty to Protect
March 17 | 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM @ Virtual
This 3-hour online program will offer detailed training on a standardized empirically based risk of violence screening tool and assure behavioral health professionals know when their duty to protect third parties from potentially violent mental health clients attaches and how to discharge that duty consistent with professional standards, ethical obligations, and legal requirements in the state of Ohio.
MAY 2027
Q.P.R. – Question. Persuade. Refer.
May 3 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM @ Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (StarkMHAR)
QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.) is an evidence-based training that teaches three simple steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught Gatekeeper training in the world.
JUNE 2027
Q.P.R. – Question. Persuade. Refer.
June 30 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM @ Light After Loss – The Hope and Healing Center
QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.) is an evidence-based training that teaches three simple steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught Gatekeeper training in the world.
Department of Behavioral Health Peer Support Trainings
Certified Peer Recovery Supporter (Adult)
The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) 40-hour Peer Recovery Supporter (PRS) Training is a live, interactive training that teaches prospective Certified Peer Recovery Supporters (CPRS) who self-identify as being in recovery from a mental health or substance use disorder to use their experience to help their Peers with the same lived experience. Prospective CPRS will engage in role-play activities and learn the skills necessary to offer high quality Peer Support. Upon successful completion of PRS training, prospective CPRS will be eligible to apply for Adult Peer Recovery Supporter Certification in Ohio. To attend training, you must be personally in recovery from a mental health and/or substance use disorder and be willing to share your personal story appropriately in a group setting. Having a friend or family member in recovery will not qualify you to attend this training. Trainings are offered both online and in person. There is no cost to register for PRS training. All training registration is coordinated through our community partner, Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO).
Certified Youth Peer Support
The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health Youth Peer Support Training is a 40-hour training curriculum that is the only approved training for Certified Youth Peer Supporters in the state of Ohio. This training provides participants with an understanding of youth peer support and equips them with tools and supports that can be used when working with peers in a provider setting. All interested participants of this training must submit a training application. Once DBH has reviewed your application, you will be sent a confirmation email of your training attendance and will be provided with further training details.
Contact DBH: youthandfamilypeersupport@dbh.ohio.gov
Certified Family Peer Support
A Certified Family Peer Supporter (CFPS) is someone who self-identifies as the caregiver of an individual with behavioral health challenges (mental health/substance use disorder); and who has navigated service systems for at least one year on behalf of the individual.
A caregiver may include a birth parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, legal guardian/custodian, or a person chosen by the family or youth to have the role of primary caregiver. A CFPS supports an individual’s or family’s ability to address needs, navigate systems and promote recovery, resiliency, and wellness. They promote services that are family driven, youth guided, trauma-informed, and culturally competent. A CFPS can provide both basic and intensive family support services and participate as an active member of treatment teams in a variety of settings.
Family Peer Support Supervisor Training
Supervision is a key component in the success of Family Peer Support. Supervisors must employ a developmental approach that promotes the unique lived experience of the Family Peer Supporters and encourage ongoing professional development. This curriculum addresses supervisory skills that will support the work of the Family Peer Support role, workplace wellness, and opportunities for growth and development. Suggested strategies, best practices, and tools are provided for individual supervision.