Crisis Counseling Programs for the Rural Community

Appendix C: Sources of Assistance and Information

GOVERNMENT

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA coordinates with other state and Federal agencies to respond to Presidentially declared disasters. It provides disaster asistance for individuals, businesses (through the Small Business Administration), and communities under the Stafford Act.

Federal Emergency Management Agency
Human Services Division
500 C Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20472
(202) 646-3929
Website www.fema.gov

Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Through an interagency agreement with FEMA, CMHS provides consultation and technical assistance on the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program. Publications and videotapes on disaster human response are readily available through SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center.

Center for Mental Health Services
Emergency Services and Disaster Relief Branch
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 17C-20
Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-4735
FAX (301) 443-8040

CMHS Clearinghouse
SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
P.O. Box 42557
Washington, D.C. 20015
Toll-Free Information Line 1-800-789-2647
FAX 240-221-4295
(TDD) 866-889-2647
Website www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov

NATIONAL

American Red Cross (ARC)

ARC has chapters in most large cities and a state chapter in each capital city. Every local Red Cross chapter is charged with readiness and response responsibilities in collaboration with its disaster partners. Disaster services include preparedness training, community education, mitigation, and response. They help families with immediate basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) as well as supportive services and longer term interventions. Contact the local chapter for assistance or the state chapter in your capital city.

American Red Cross
431 18th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 737-8300 General Information
(703) 206-7460 Disaster Services
Website www.redcross.org

Professional Organizations

Many professional organizations have gathered resources and information at national and state levels. Some may have established a formal network of professionals qualified to serve as consultants or volunteers. Helpful organizations include but are not limited to the following:

American Psychological Association (APA)
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-4242
(202) 336-5898

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
750 First St. N.E., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20002-4241
(202) 408-8600
1-800-638-8799

National Rural Health Association
1320 19th Street, N.W., Suite 350
Washington, D.C. 20036-1610
(202) 232-6200

National Association for Rural Mental Health
P.O. Box 570
Wood River, IL 62095
(618) 251-0589

STATE AND LOCAL

Department of Mental Health

Contact the state agency responsible for mental health services. There may be a state disaster mental health coordinator already designated to manage the Crisis Counseling Program. This main office will be located in your state's capital city.

Emergency Services

This is the lead agency delegated by the governor to carry the day-to-day emergency management responsibilities. Contact the Office of Emergency Services in your capital city.

Universities and Medical Universities

Academic practitioners with general training in stress, coping, and counseling often express interest in offering assistance. Caution is advised to assure that disaster survivors are treated appropriately, and not enlisted into a research study or given treatments designed for traditional psychiatric disasters. Undergraduate and graduate students are usually very interested in serving as crisis counselors. Contact your local university's department of psychiatry, psychology, or social work.

Religious Organizations

Churches, synagogues, and interfaith organizations provide a valuable resource for finding and serving disaster survivors. Often, they are the most productive and rapid responders for immediate basic needs. Most denominations have some kind of disaster relief program. Contact the district office for major denominations in your area.

Media

Television, radio, and newspapers should provide a listing of available resources and supports in major disasters.

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS

National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD)

NVOAD has made disaster response a priority. Member organizations provide effective service and avoid duplicating services by coordinating them before a disaster strikes. Member organizations include:

• Adventist Community Services (ACS)
• American Relay League, Inc. (ARL)
• American Red Cross (ARC)
• AMURT (Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team)
• Catholic Charities USA (CC)
• Christian Disaster Response, A.E.C.C.G.C.
• Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC)
• Church of the Brethren (CB)
• Church World Service (CWS)
• The Episcopal Church (EC)
• Friends Disaster Service (FDS)
• Inter-Lutheran Disaster Response (ILDR)
• Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS)
• Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR)
• The Phoenix Society (PS)
• The Points of Light Foundation (PLF)
• Presbyterian Church,USA (PC)
• REACT International, Inc.(REACT)
• The Salvation Army (SA)
• Second Harvest National Network of Food Banks (SHNNFB)
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP)
• Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)
• United Methodist Church Committee of Relief (UMCOR)
• Volunteers of America (VOA)
• World Vision (WV)

Appendix D | Table of Contents