This Web site is a component of the SAMHSA Health Information Network

Enter search keyword Choose search category This Site Mental Health at HHS All Mental Health

SAMHSA DTAC Contact SAMHSA DTAC SAMHSA DTAC Resources Education and Training FEMA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Funding Information CMHS Home CSAT Home CSAP Home  CMHS Programs:   Go to... Children's Campaign Community Support Emergency Services Financing HIV/AIDS Homelessness Managing Anxiety Mental Health Statistics Protection & Advocacy Special Programs State Planning Traumatic Events Suicide Prevention Programs Homepage  CMHS Activities:   Go to... 15+ School Violence Stigma Suicide Prevention Surgeon General

printer friendly page e-mail this page bookmark this page shopping cart  current or new account

This Web site is a component of the SAMHSA Health Information Network.

About SAMHSA DTAC

Established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) supports SAMHSA’s efforts to prepare States, Territories, and local entities to deliver an effective behavioral health response after disasters.

SAMHSA DTAC assists States and Territories with behavioral health all-hazards disaster planning that allows them to prepare for and respond to both natural and human-caused disasters. SAMHSA DTAC provides consultation to review disaster plans and compiles research on emergent issues and planning methodologies.

SAMHSA DTAC supports collaboration between mental health and substance abuse authorities, Federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and experts in the field, and facilitates the sharing of information and best practices.

SAMHSA DTAC houses a library of print and electronic resource materials and continually identifies and develops new materials to address gaps and meet emerging disaster behavioral health needs. SAMHSA DTAC produces The Dialogue, an electronic quarterly informational bulletin highlighting activities and resources relevant to the field. It also produces the monthly DTAC Bulletin, a resource to share updates, post upcoming activities, and highlight new resources, and maintains a toll-free help line (800-308-3515), a comprehensive Web site, and an e-mail address (dtac@esi-dc.com).

SAMHSA DTAC provides technical assistance to States and Territories throughout the phases of disaster recovery to support an effective behavioral health response.

Preparedness

SAMHSA DTAC assists States, Territories, and local entities with all-hazards disaster response planning. It supports collaboration between mental health and substance abuse authorities, Federal agencies, and NGOs. SAMHSA DTAC provides consultation to review disaster mental health and substance abuse plans, conducts literature reviews, and brokers knowledge and support.

Response

SAMHSA DTAC supports the SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services in the provision of disaster-related technical assistance grant support to eligible States, Territories, and federally recognized Tribes. SAMHSA DTAC staff share the experiences of States that have confronted certain types of disasters. Contact SAMHSA DTAC staff for assistance in identifying the following:

• Suitable publications;
• Psycho-educational materials
• Expert consultants

Communication

SAMHSA DTAC maintains a contact database of State/Territory mental health commissioners, substance abuse directors, and disaster coordinators, as well as a roster of Federal agencies and NGOs involved in disaster and trauma research and/or service delivery. SAMHSA DTAC produces The Dialogue, an electronic, quarterly information bulletin highlighting articles, activities, and resources relevant to the disaster behavioral health field. SAMHSA DTAC also produces the DTAC Bulletin, a monthly electronic communication to share updates, post upcoming activities, and highlight new resources. In addition, the SAMHSA DTAC Web site offers resources relevant to the disaster behavioral health field.

Resources

Dedicated technical assistance (TA), behavioral health, resource development, and logistics personnel staff SAMHSA DTAC. It houses a resource collection of materials, including those developed by crisis counseling programs and peer-reviewed literature. Staff develop specialized resource collections targeting emergent issues and specific populations; and TA specialists ensure that resources are current, and work to develop new resources to address gaps in the disaster mental health and substance abuse literature.