Health and Safety Orientation
This basic training is designed for Ohio State program leaders and resident directors. The training provides an overview of protocols, processes and tools in place to support Ohio State travelers and to mitigate and manage health and safety concerns on international education, service and other group travel experiences. It covers common incidents and response with a focus on using resources such as Crisis24, the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The session also reviews federal compliance related to education abroad including Clery Act and Title IX.
All resident directors and group program leaders must attend one training session annually.
The content covered will assist program leaders in developing site-specific predeparture health and safety orientations for program participants. For the best outcome, please attend early in the semester prior to departure.
Health and Safety Workshops
Managing Participant and Group Dynamics: Responding to Student Concerns and Incidents
Program leaders and resident directors engage closely with students in residential and non-classroom environments. Issues that may require significant intervention and ongoing management routinely arise and may challenge individual students, small cohorts or the entire program. During this workshop, key concepts and strategies will be discussed around conflict management, difficult conversations and useful de-escalation techniques when working with various types of incidents.
Time commitment: 1.5 hours.
Mental Health
This discussion-based workshop focuses on developing strategies that resident directors and other program leaders can use to assist students who experience mental health concerns while participating in an international experience.
Topics discussed will additionally cover pre-departure resources, student access to the Office of Student Life Disability Services, traveling with prescription medications, the use of the Incident Response Handbook to respond to distressed and disruptive students abroad and the Code of Student Conduct. In addition, the workshop will review the resources available through Crisis24 and the Office of Student Life's Counseling and Consultation Service for assisting in emergency response.
Time commitment: 1.5 hours.
Emergency Response Exercise
This table-top exercise aims to provide resident directors and other program leaders with an opportunity to test emergency and crisis management procedures in a safe environment before a real crisis occurs. Working with a hypothetical scenario, participants discuss and identify roles, responsibilities and responses and identify when to reach out to Crisis24 and the Global Health and Safety team for support.
Time commitment: 1.5 hours.
Tips and Tools: Using Crisis24 and Zurich Insurance
The Global Health and Safety team provides an in-depth presentation on the many resources, tools and services available to Ohio State travelers through Crisis24 and the Zurich international accident and sickness insurance. This workshop is intended for resident directors and other program leaders.
Time commitment: 1 hour.
(program participants and travel registrants also attend)
De-Escalation Techniques and Managing Difficult Conversations
Studying abroad and traveling internationally on Ohio State-approved programs offers some of the most rewarding experiences for both students and program leaders. At times, travel may also be stressful and challenging. This workshop will provide a framework for managing conflict and having difficult conversations, whether with students, colleagues or onsite providers.