Core Curricula

Top curricula for professionals in bx helath crisis response systems

What are Nevada’s Crisis Response Core Curricula, and why did the Coalition create them?

structured learning topics recommendations and resources given to crisis workers statewide,shared foundation of knowledge and skills.

not a complete training program

How were the core curricula developed, and how will they stay relevant?

The Essential Principles and Practices subgroup in August 2025

The Coalition Support Team compared to current SAMHSA, Bivrant, NV provider, states curricula.

How do Coalition recommendations, agency responsibilities, and DPBH regulations connect?

The Coalition uses a shared training

agencies let wokers apply those skills

Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) helps address training for state-funded programs

How do the four training levels build on one another?

CORE- there is everyone in crisis services, front-line, administrative, management staff

ADDITIONAL FRONT-LINE- to assist in the 3 pillars locations

POPULATION-SPECIFIC- specialized for diff groups ex. youther, beterans

SERVICE-SPECIFIC-preparation for which service

Which main organizations provide training, and how do their roles differ?

Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies(CASAT)- behavioral health ed. through CASAT Learning(ex. self-paced, certification to be a Peer Support Specialist)

NAMI Western Nevada (NAMI WNV) provides Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT) statewide.

Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD)-Office of Disease Surveillance offers free training on some core topics.

Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention (NOSP) related training in Northern and Southern Nevada.

How do CRIT I, CRIT II, and full CRIT connect?

Full Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)- 40 hours total, 18 modules

2 sections:

CRIT I- 24 hours, understaning condi., people, responding, connecting resources

CRIT II-16 hours, in person, interactive skill building, commun, de-escaltion tech

How do training formats, assessments, and CEUs relate to staff preparation?

self-paced online courses, live webinars, and in-person role plays( each have learning assignments + post-tests)

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) document approved professional hours. while keeping up to date info

What should you remember about CEU and training approvals across providers?

Most CASAT courses have Nevada behavioral health licensing-board approval.

Some NOSP Nevada Offic of Suicide Prevention trainings have board approval. The document identifies safeTALK as SNHD’s(souther NV health district) only training offering CEUs, processed through NOSP.

NAMI WNV CRIT/CIT has approval from Nevada Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) and the Nevada Certification Board.

What three core topics should everyone in crisis services learn, and how do they connect?

CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM OVERVIEW-how services work together for a coordinated system of care.

ZERO SUICIDE / SUICIDE SAFER CARE-recognition of suicide warning signs and how to the intervene.

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE-how prior trauma affects people and how to respond sensitively.

Which resources support the three core topics for all staff?

SYSTEM OVERVIEW: CRIT Module 1; a CASAT introductory module was being updated to align with the 2025 National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care. SUICIDE SAFER CARE: NOSP Suicide Prevention 101 (2 hours), safeTALK (3–4 hours), and ASIST (2 days); SNHD quarterly in-person safeTALK; CRIT Module 9; CASAT course ($40). TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE: CRIT Module 6 and CASAT course ($78).

How do mental health, substance use, and intellectual or developmental disabilities connect in front-line training?

Workers need to recognize different factors that may contribute to a crisis and adapt their response. MENTAL HEALTH includes mood, personality, neurocognitive, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders; resources include Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid through NOSP/SNHD, and CRIT Module 4. SUBSTANCE USE includes disorders and substances’ effects on behavior; resources include CRIT Module 5, CASAT Signs and Symptoms ($39), and a free screening, assessment, and treatment course for adolescents and adults. INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES training supports recognition and appropriate services; resources include CRIT Module 7 and CASAT ($40).

How do gambling and other financial issues connect to behavioral health crises?

Gambling problems, financial crisis, job loss, and job stress can contribute to distress and overlap with other crisis concerns. Training should help workers recognize these pressures instead of focusing only on a diagnosis. Resources include CASAT gambling screening ($26), stress/coping/suicidality in problem gamblers ($52), and NAMI CARES—Community Assistance, Recovery, Education, and Support—for other financial issues.

How do intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, and trauma-informed care connect?

Workers should recognize how abuse and assault can contribute to behavioral health needs and respond sensitively to survivors’ experiences. INTIMATE PARTNER ABUSE includes physical, mental, or emotional abuse; resources include SNHD’s We Choose All of Us and CASAT intimate partner violence training ($40). SEXUAL ASSAULT: no crisis-provider-adapted module had been identified. RAINN was a potential resource, and CRIT Module 15 may provide regional resource information. This is an identified training gap.

How do motivational interviewing and cultural competency support effective crisis conversations?

MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING helps people identify concerns and motivations and supports action through active and reflective listening, empathy, rapport building, interviewing, and critical thinking. Reflective listening means communicating back what you understand the person to be saying. CULTURAL COMPETENCY helps workers understand how culture influences crisis experiences and care. Together, they support communication responsive to the person. Resources: SNHD in-person motivational interviewing, CRIT Modules 16–18, and CASAT ($39); cultural competency CASAT courses ($78 and $65), free Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) training, and CRIT Module 2 on perceptions and attitudes.

How do suicide risk assessment and level of care assessment differ?

SUICIDE RISK AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT asks: “What is the suicide risk?” Training includes an evidence-based tool such as the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale and its online training. LEVEL OF CARE ASSESSMENT asks: “What intensity of services is needed?” Training includes an evidence-based tool such as LOCUS; American Association for Community Psychiatry training is listed at $100 per individual, with agency agreements available. Both inform the response, but they answer different questions.

How do de-escalation, safety planning, and CALM work together?

DE-ESCALATION uses communication and other strategies to reduce agitation and the risk of further harm. SAFETY PLANNING develops a plan with the person, identifies barriers, and supports use of the plan. COUNSELING ON ACCESS TO LETHAL MEANS (CALM) teaches discussion of reducing access to methods of self-harm with people at risk and their families. Resources: CRIT Modules 16–18 and CASAT Verbal De-Escalation 101 ($52, being updated); Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention videos/training; Intermountain Healthcare’s online CALM course and CALM Clinical Workshops.

How does follow-up care connect the immediate crisis response with ongoing support?

Follow-up care involves collaborating with the person on continuing care, identifying community resources, and helping connect them to those resources. Risk assessment identifies suicide risk; level of care assessment identifies service intensity; safety planning supports safety; follow-up supports continued connections. NAMI CARES covers follow-up needs, a Wellness Action Plan, and systems navigation. SNHD’s Better Care 101 covers care connections in Southern Nevada.

How do self-care and personal safety differ while supporting the same workforce?

SELF-CARE / PERSONAL WELLNESS addresses the emotional effects of repeated exposure to others’ pain and supports workers’ and coworkers’ wellness. Resources: CRIT Module 3 and CASAT compassion fatigue/compassion resilience ($78). PERSONAL SAFETY addresses physical safety, including recognizing exit options and learning appropriate safety strategies. Resources: CDC TRAIN Introduction to Field Safety and Handle With Care in-person training, which DCFS has used. Remember: emotional wellness versus physical safety.

How do confidentiality, ethics, and mandated reporting connect?

CONFIDENTIALITY AND ETHICS training addresses privacy obligations and ethical standards. MANDATED REPORTING training addresses when reporting is required and how to fulfill those duties. Workers need to understand both privacy responsibilities and reporting obligations. Resources: CASAT Confidentiality and HIPAA ($60), Ethics for Behavioral Health and Addiction Professionals ($104), and Nevada’s listed online child abuse and neglect reporting training. Reporting duties also include elder abuse and other requirements; the listed child-focused course is not described as covering all duties.

How do youth behavioral health training, youth assessment, and family support connect?

YOUTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH training covers common concerns and effective ways to work with young people: Youth Mental Health First Aid, NAMI WNV supplemental youth/crisis training, and CASAT’s adolescent course ($52). YOUTH ASSESSMENT uses age-appropriate tools to determine service intensity. FAMILY training considers relationships and the family as a whole to support wellness, resilience, and recovery; resources include National Federation of Families online modules. Together, they connect developmental needs, appropriate services, and family support.

How do CALOCUS-CASII and ECSII compare with the other assessment tools?

CALOCUS-CASII—Child and Adolescent Level of Care/Service Intensity Instrument—is for ages 6–18

ECSII—Early Childhood Service Intensity Instrument—is for ages 0–5

Like LOCUS, they address the level or intensity of care; the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale addresses suicide risk.

How does population-specific training adapt care for LGBTQ+ people and Native American communities?

respond to each population’s culture, circumstances, strengths, and needs.

LGBTQ+ YOUTH AND ADULTS- compassionate, effective support responsive to sexual orientation and gender identity

NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES- culturally appropriate suicide prevention and crisis intervention

How does veterans’ training connect military culture with crisis support?

learn about military culture, service-related challenges, and strengths when supporting veterans and active-duty personnel.

How do rural/agricultural community training and homelessness training connect circumstances with resources?

AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL COMMUNITIES-cultural and environmental factors affecting agricultural families and rural communities

PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS-homelessness risk factors and identify local resources

How does training on dementia and other neurocognitive disorders relate to the broader mental health curriculum?

the front-line curriculum includes neurocognitive disorders.

Population-specific training adds recognition+ best responses towards dementia, Alzheimer’s disease

What unfinished work should you remember about the core curricula?

DPBH training regulations were still being developed. Online CRIT I options and individual modules were planned by April 2027. CASAT’s crisis system overview and Verbal De-Escalation 101 were being updated. Additional behavioral health board approvals for NAMI WNV CRIT/CIT were planned. No crisis-provider-adapted sexual assault module had been identified. Distinguish available resources from planned changes and remaining gaps.

What is the main connection between the core curricula and your Coalition internship?

The Coalition creates a shared statewide training foundation, organizing recommended topics, identifying resources, gathering member input, and revising materials.

Agencies provide specialized prep., supervise staff, assess competency, document learning, and follow applicable requirements.

For your internship, it shows systems-level coordination and training-resource work