Join Us for the 2025 Ohio Prevention Conference – Starting with a Free Virtual Pre-Conference on October 9!
The 2025 Ohio Prevention Conference kicks off this fall with three unique opportunities to engage, learn, and connect.
October 9th Virtual Pre-Conference
Theme: Integrating Trauma-Informed Care into Prevention
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Description:
Ohio Handle With Care is a trauma-informed, cross-systems response to Adverse Childhood Experiences, promoting resilience through positive relationships with school staff and community first responders. OhioHWC maintains a standardized approach to implementation, ensuring fidelity while allowing flexibility in accordance with the strengths of each community. Participants will gain an understanding of the components of fidelity and the implementation process with directions for leading or participating in the program.
Agenda
- 9:00 am – Welcome: Prevention Action Alliance and Ohio Department of Behavioral Health
- 9:15 am – Session 1: Ohio Handle With Care: Overview & Impact
- This session will introduce the components of the OhioHWC model, outline collaboration between coordinators and OhioHWC, and highlight available resources. Attendees will learn about the new OhioHWC Portal, the process for handling HWC Notices, and key data from the program’s five-year milestone.
- 10:30 am – Break
- 10:45 am – Session 2: Fidelity & Flexibility
- This session highlights Fidelity with Flexibility through the Lorain County Coordinator’s experience implementing OhioHWC across communities. Learn how she manages partnerships, balances her dual roles, and applies trauma-informed care to sustain successful implementation.
- 12:00 pm – Lunch Break
- 12:45 pm – Session 3: Law Enforcement Leaders & Champions Panel
- This session highlights the vital role of First Responders in OhioHWC, featuring School Resource Officers Crystal Jones and Scott Nichelson. Officer Jones will share insights from launching the fastest program to date and piloting the new OhioHWC Portal, while Officer Nichelson and Tyler Wolfe, Director of Student Wellness for Dublin City Schools, will discuss collaboration and engagement with other First Responders.
- 1:35 pm – Break
- 1:45 pm – Session 4: Barriers & Benefits Panel
- This session will feature Coordinators from four counties discussing their programs, solutions to barriers they’ve encountered, and the benefits of handling with care.
- 2:45 pm – Closing
Don’t Miss Out on the Rest of the Ohio Prevention Conference!
-
November 6th Virtual Pre-Conference: Fostering Strategic Connections and Partnerships (Free)
-
December 10–11 In-Person Conference at the Hyatt Regency Columbus: Advancing Prevention Through Integrated Approaches ($150, includes meals and full access to all sessions)
Let’s move prevention forward together and build resilient communities across Ohio.
Interested in Becoming a Sponsor or Exhibitor?
Sponsors and exhibitors at the 2025 Ohio Prevention Conference will find an outstanding opportunity to elevate their brand visibility while engaging with a diverse community of prevention professionals.
This conference provides a platform for professionals to enhance their knowledge, skills, and approaches to prevention science. This event brings together more than 450 behavioral health professionals and those from allied fields, fostering collaboration, cultural competency, and a commitment to health equity. The conference will feature a virtual pre-conference in October and November 2025, followed by the in-person event on December 10-11, 2025, offering multiple ways to connect, learn, and engage with the prevention community.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Premier Sponsor
Partner Sponsor
Host
The Ohio Prevention Conference is hosted by Prevention Action Alliance with support from the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health.
Back to all events
