The Northern Virginia Regional Projects Office (NVRPO) Regional System Transformation Excellence and Performance (STEP-VA) Training Team is comprised of three members: a Training and Quality Improvement Supervisor alongside two Training and Quality Improvement Coordinators. The team has oversight for all regional training endeavors. Their mission is to develop and implement a regional training program tailored for Region 2 CSB direct service staff. These trainings prioritize being trauma-informed, evidence-based and evidence-informed, incorporating Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) training curriculum for outpatient services, crisis services and other identified services within the STEP-VA initiative.
The NVRPO Regional STEP-VA Training Team is dedicated to ensuring Region 2 CSB direct service staff accessibility to high-quality training opportunities. These opportunities encompass offerings from NVRPO's own training team, regional training sponsored by NVRPO as well as no-cost training facilitated by SAMHSA, DBHDS, and other behavioral health entities. This collective effort aims to provide training avenues that bolster professional competencies, support the workforce and equip staff with the requisite skills to realize the objectives outlined in the STEP-VA initiative, aimed at enhancing Virginia's public mental health system.
Coming Soon
Keep an eye out for upcoming conferences and trainings, including:
Region 2 will no longer be hosting instructor-led Mobile Crisis Responder (MCR) trainings. For questions or concerns regarding MCR requirements, training, or related resources, please contact the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). Learn more about MCR requirements.
Instructor-Led MCR Training Through Sentara Health
Sentara Health will continue to offer instructor-led MCR training in 2026. Upcoming cohorts are scheduled for September and December 2026.
Registration for each Sentara cohort will open 30 days before the scheduled training date.
To register or request additional information, please contact BHTrainer@sentara.com.
On-Demand Learning
A collection of asynchronous training programs has been curated by the Regional Training Team to fit your schedule and learning pace. The courses cover an extensive range of topics and provide the flexibility to meet your individual training needs. Whether you aim to acquire new knowledge, advance your career, or earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Education (CEs), these self-paced trainings are tailored to support your professional and personal development goals.
Developmental Disabilities Support Coordination Conference
The Northern Virginia Regional Projects Office, in partnership with the Region 2 Developmental Disability Directors, hosts biannual Regional Support Coordination Conferences. These gatherings are designed to:
Strengthen professional relationships
Enhance understanding of the unique role of support coordinators within the broader developmental disability system
Provide training
Support staff retention
Promote the sharing of best practices across the region
Attendees consistently express overwhelmingly positive feedback, highlighting the value of networking, reflection and practical strategies they can apply in their work supporting individuals and families. Participants report leaving the conference feeling both recharged and better equipped to serve their communities.
Learn more about past conferences below.
The first Regional Support Coordination Conference was held on March 20, 2024, at Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center. Keynote speaker Ronnie Sidney presented on self-care, mindfulness, and intentional relationship building. The afternoon concluded with yoga and meditation led by Mo Edu, providing participants with practical stress management and wellness strategies.
On September 9, 2024, the second Regional Support Coordination Conference was held at the Stacy Sherwood Center. Keynote speaker David Egan presented on the importance of building genuine relationships, listening to family and individual stories and focusing on people rather than paperwork. Developmental Disability Directors Jackie Jackson Turner and Contè Yates facilitated an engaging discussion on creativity, networking and self-care.
On March 5, 2025, the Regional Support Coordination Conference was held at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA. Stephanie Williams opened the conference with a session on Emotional Health Planning, providing strategies for stress management, boundary setting, and effective communication. In the afternoon, Salimah Ismail of Project Passport presented From Burnout to Blossoming: Healing the Mind, equipping participants with tools to build self-awareness, resilience, and balance in demanding roles.
On September 5, 2025, the Regional Support Coordination Conference was held at the Stacey C. Sherwood Community Center. Keynote speaker Larysa Kautz, President and CEO of Melwood, presented on advocacy, self-care, and connecting individuals and families to community resources. In the afternoon, Kenyatta Macon-Moon (Keny Moon) led an interactive Mind-Body Medicine Toolkit session that incorporated participant movement, breathing exercises, stress management techniques, and mindfulness practices to support personal wellness and professional resilience.
Keynote Speaker, David Egan
Region 2 Executive Directors and DBHDS Representative Panel
Alexandria CSB Executive Director, Phil Caldwell and Keynote Speaker, David Egan
Regional Conference Participants
September 2025 Conference Poster
Presenter at the September 2025 conference
Participants mingle at the September 2025 conference
