CRMGTPV X007 - Best Practices for Suicide Risk Assessment and Safety Planning

This training addresses best practices for suicide risk assessment using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), an evidence-based tool that is considered the gold standard for assessing suicide risk. This training also addresses safety planning and how to manage increased suicide risk in diverse populations, with a special focus on children and adolescents.

What You'll Learn

After completing this training, participants will be able to...

• Demonstrate increased competence with administering and scoring the CSSR-S. 
• Analyze the C-SSRS score and determine appropriate next steps effectively. 
• Identify cultural and developmental considerations when working with clients of diverse backgrounds, as well as with children and adolescents.
• Utilize evidence-based tools to safety plan and describe the content required for each section of an effective safety plan.  

What You'll Earn

Social workers completing this training will receive 2 clinical continuing education clock hours under ACE.

This training is approved for 2 CE clock hours for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, as well as substance use counselors in domain TR1 - treatment field related (renewals only) in the state of Ohio.

Additional Information

Development Date: March 2025 

Target Audience: 988 crisis call line staff and other human services professionals

Content Level: Beginner

Training Outline

• Benefits of using the C-SSRS and review versions of the C-SSRS
• Building rapport
• C-SSRS screener adult and child versions
• C-SSRS full version
• Documentation
• Next steps and considerations for special populations
• Safety plan review/discussion

Presenter

Melissa Rotblatt, LISW-S

School Programs Manager for Franklin County, Syntero

Melissa Rotblatt, LISW-S, is the Syntero school programs manager for Franklin County. In this role, she oversees Syntero's school-based prevention programming for four school districts, two virtual schools and one career and technical program. A two-time alumna of The Ohio State University College of Social Work (BSSW '13, MSW '14), Rotblatt began her career as a multi-systemic therapist and also has experience providing school-based treatment. Rotblatt is passionate about increasing access to high-quality mental health care for all students so that they can reach their full academic potential. 

Continuing Education Approvals 

The Ohio State University College of Social Work provides approvals for continuing education for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists that are accepted by the state of Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board.

The Ohio State University College of Social Work has been approved by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals (CDP) Board as a provider of Continuing Education, approval number: 50-24068.

The Ohio State University College of Social Work, (Provider: 1628), is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The Ohio State University College of Social Work maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 4/30/25-4/30/28. Social workers completing this course will receive 2 clinical continuing education credits.

Certificates & CE Reporting 

CE certificates will be available for download in your learner portal after submitting the evaluation survey.

Hours for those with Ohio licenses that are submitted with the evaluation survey will be reported to CE Broker every 14 days (twice per month). 

⚠️ Note: You may only complete this training once for CE credit. You may revisit the content, but only one certificate will be issued and credit will only be reported to CE Broker one time.

Cancellations, Refunds, Grievances, Accessibility Requests & Learning 

Please visit the Policies section of our website for more information on our processes for cancellations, refunds, grievances, training completions & certificates, participant conduct, and accessibility requests and learning accommodations. 

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you require an accommodation to participate in this training, please contact CSW Accessibility as early as possible and in advance of the training start date by email at csw-accessibility@osu.edu or call 614-688-1657. Requests received at least 14-days prior to the date you plan to begin a training will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the College will make every effort to meet requests that we receive regardless of lead time. 

Contact Us

For questions about the enrollment process, payment options, technology, or training records, please submit an inquiry and our Enrollment Support team will assist you within 24 hours during business days.

Submit an enrollment inquiry

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about the training content or delivery format, please contact the CSW Office of Continuing Education at cswce@osu.edu. For questions related to the training content, our office will facilitate communication with the training instructor on your behalf and connect you, if applicable. Presenter contact information will be provided within the training for questions, feedback, or comments. 

The Ohio State University, College of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education, 302 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road, Columbus, OH, 43210.

Phone: (614) 292-3032

Email: cswce@osu.edu 

Website: csw.osu.edu/continuing-education/