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PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has prepared several informational documents for both public and professional audiences regarding various issues related to the Avian Influenza and possible pandemic influenza. Disaster Mental Health Responders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this information as part of their ongoing professional development and in the interest of disaster readiness. Please click on the link below to review the menu of related educational documents. http://nj.gov/health/flu/pandemic.shtml 
New Jersey Medicine produced a special supplement in the fall of 2004 addressing terrorism and public health emergencies. The article, "The Bio-psychosocial Consequences of Terrorism" appears in the supplement to inform physicians and other healthcare providers about the mental health concerns associated with both conventional and unconventional terrorism. Click here to view the article.
A brochure developed by the N.J. Department of Human Services, and produced in cooperation with the N.J. Department of Health and Senior Services, is available entitled "Learn How To Cope With Your Emotions During Public Health Emergencies". Click here to view in English Click here to view in Spanish
You can view the "Managing the Psychosocial Consequences of CBNR Terrorism" program online at:
Disaster Mental Health Training Programs The New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services is sponsoring a series of training events to ensure that providers from both the public and private sectors responding to disasters under the auspices of the Division of Mental Health Services are appropriately trained. As the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a major source of funding support after disasters, it is important to maintain a pool of professionals trained under the prescribed National Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) guidelines for Crisis Counseling. All of the training programs offered through this initiative are consistent with those guidelines. These training sessions will also be used, not only to develop an expanded cadre of responders, but as a mechanism to develop a data base of people known to the Division in advance that can be quickly and easily accessed in the event of a disaster. Training participants will register with the Division of Mental Health Services and this information will be shared with the county Mental Health Administrators who are central points of access for emergency response. All volunteers will be asked to contact their local county Mental Health Administrator directly to participate in the Emergency Response Network. Please note that mental health professionals who wish to assist in future response efforts will be required to be trained through this mechanism. In addition, providers who were previously trained will be asked about the training they have already received to assess if additional training may still be needed. Future participation in Division of Mental Health Services sanctioned disaster responses is contingent on the mental health professional's completion of at least the full-day, "Introduction to Disaster Mental Health and Crisis Counseling program. A variety of Advanced Disaster Mental Health training topics are also offered in a half-day format These training sessions are open to mental health professionals working in both public and private settings, and efforts are underway to promote these programs through the various professional associations (i.e.- National Association of Social Workers/New Jersey Chapter; New Jersey Psychological Association; New Jersey Psychiatric Association; etc.) CEU's for the various disciplines will be sought, but can not be promised at this time. Professionals who live and work in counties other than the eleven hosting these sessions are also invited, and a predetermined number of seats will be held aside at each session for out-of-county participants. Please consult this site often
to learn about upcoming training events and participation in the
Emergency Response Network. The training sessions currently scheduled
are listed below, along with contact names and numbers for registration.
Pre-registration is required for all sessions. These training are
offered at no charge to the participant. NIMS/ICS TRAINING FOR DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH RESPONDERS On
August 5, 2005, New Jersey’s Acting Governor, Richard J. Codey,
signed an Executive Order (#50) directing that all first responders,
including mental health and human services workers, complete the
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Awareness Course. The
training may be taken on-line. To take the course on-line,
please click here.
The Division of Mental Health Services - Disaster and Terrorism Branch is now coordinating its training events in partnership with the Mental Health Association in
Understanding the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Fortunately, New Jersey had developed and implemented a formal disaster mental health plan, prior to September 11th. Professionals in each county have participated in extensive pre-disaster preparedness activities, such as disaster drills, training programs and by preparing educational materials necessary during an emergency. In conjunction with the state and county Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs), each county Mental Health Administrator has been charged with creating a network of qualified mental health professionals within their geographic area, and assuring that those counselors have attended one of the many Disaster Mental Health training programs through the New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services (DMHS). The following FAQs address what is unique about
administering disaster mental health services under FEMA oversight
and funding following a Presidentially Declared Disaster. There are a few compelling reasons. First and foremost, because it works! This format of post-disaster assistance has been used in countless disasters nationwide for several years with very positive results. It is also required that this model be incorporated into the community crisis counseling efforts in any state receiving FEMA monies to fund disaster mental health efforts. Bottom-line: To be reimbursed for work, agencies must assure that their efforts are compliant with the FEMA model. What is the FEMA model of Community Crisis Counseling? The FEMA model de-emphasizes the "mental health" feel of counseling. Counseling sessions are less formal, less structured and less clinical in their design. This model acknowledges the importance of Critical Incident Stress Management and other techniques for reducing the likelihood of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and other stress-related illnesses. It is intended to follow immediate interventions, therefore, complementing those services, not replacing them. The FEMA model emphasizes supportive listening, problem solving, education about "disaster stress," coping skills, and public information, as well as assessment and referrals, when appropriate. The FEMA model uses "bachelor’s level paraprofessionals" as the primary responders, not mental health professionals. Crisis counselors are usually indigenous to the communities where the disaster occurred and need to have strong interpersonal skills in able to access community organizations and events. These Crisis Counselors may have a range of training and no particular background in mental health or human services. Therefore, they require supervision by someone with sufficient clinical experience to provide appropriate training and guidance. What is the specific role of the Crisis Counselor? There are a number of helpful tasks for the
Crisis Counselor, but none of them include conducting debriefing
or therapy services. Some of the critical roles for the crisis counselors
include:
What is different about counseling services in this instance?
There are a number of subtle differences in the philosophy and practice of crisis counseling when FEMA funds are used to support the effort. For example, the emphasis on the Community Crisis effort is placed on outreach. Just as T.W. Salomon addressed in his 1916 "P.I.E." model of trauma counseling, the "P" is for "Proximity"--going to the survivors, whether they are in their homes or temporary shelters, and NOT waiting for survivors to present at the local mental health agencies or hospitals. There are many reasons why survivors may not make it to the offices of mental health providers. Therefore, the crisis counseling must go to them. This idea is central to FEMA's model of Community Crisis Counseling (P.S.- The "I" is for Immediacy, going to the survivors soon after the disaster, and "E" is for Expectancy, approaching survivors with a sense of hopefulness, knowing that truthfully, most survivors do return to baseline functioning and daily life, over time and with the appropriate assistance). How long will the FEMA funding continue for crisis counseling efforts? The first phase, known as the "Immediate
Services Grant" (ISG), lasts for 60 days, but can be extended
until an award is made on the longer-term grant, known as the "Regular
Services Grant" (RSG). The RSG typically lasts 9 months, but
can be To assist agencies in the development of their crisis counseling programs and services, the Center for Mental Health Studies offers "Guidelines for Agencies." This document is available online at: http://www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/EmergencyServices To review the Fiscal Guidelines for the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program, you can visit: http://www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/EmergencyServices/ccp_pg06.htm This guidance is intended to assist local and
state provider agencies in the
Homeland Responder Training Network The Homeland Responder Training Network delivers disaster preparedness information and training via www.homelandresponder.org. Their goal is to provide career and volunteer responders with unique learning opportunities that address current preparedness and response issues.
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