Crisis Counseling Programs for the Rural Community

Appendix D: Glossary of Terms

The following is an abridged version of the Center for Mental Health Services glossary explaining terms often used in disaster mental health response. The reader may encounter these (and other) words and acronyms while reviewing literature on disaster response and recovery.

Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)

CMHS is a center within the Substance Abuse Mental Health Serv-ices Administration (SAMHSA) and located in Rockville, Maryland. CMHS advises the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on disaster mental health. SAMHSA is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Community Mental Health Center (CMHC)

The CMHC is the administrative agent that contracts with the state department of mental health to provide mental health services to clients in a specified service area, usually covering one or more counties.

Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program

The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (commonly referred to as the Crisis Counseling Program) is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288 as amended by Public Law 100-707). Services offered by the Crisis Counseling Program involve direct interventions, as well as crisis counseling to individuals and groups impacted by a major disaster or its aftermath. Educational activities and public information on disaster mental health issues are another component of the Crisis Counseling Program. In addition, disaster mental health consultation and training are also provided.

The Crisis Counseling Program includes two separate funding mechanisms: Immediate Services (IS) and Regular Services (RS). States must apply for the IS within fourteen calendar days after the Presidential disaster declaration. FEMA may fund the IS for up to sixty-days after the declaration date. The RS is designed to provide up to nine months of crisis counseling services, community outreach, and consultation and education services to people affected by the disaster. Although states must submit an application for RS funds to FEMA within sixty-days of the disaster declaration, the RS funding is awarded through CMHS based on a formal review of the grant application.

Director, Human Services Division

Located at FEMA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., this person approves or disapproves a request for Regular Service funding for crisis counseling under section 416 of the Stafford Act.

Disaster Recovery Manager (DRM)

This person is appointed to exercise the authority of the FEMA Regional Director for a particular emergency or major disaster.

Disaster Field Office (DFO)

When a disaster strikes and FEMA is activated to respond, a DFO is opened, generally near the disaster site. Many functions are performed and programs run from this office. The DFO is a joint Federal/State operation.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

This is the nerve center of disaster recovery operation and is usually under the jurisdiction of local government. It may be located in or near government offices to have access to records and resources. The EOC is usually designed to be self-sufficient for a reasonable amount of time with provisions for electricity, water, sewage disposal, ventilation, and security. The major functions of the EOC are information management, situation assessment, and resource allocation.

Emergency Management Institute (EMI)

EMI is located at 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727, 1-800-238-3358. EMI serves as the national focal point of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the development and delivery of emergency management training to enhance capabilities of Federal, state, and local government officials, volunteer organizations, and the private sector. EMI programs focus on minimizing the impact of disaster on the American public. The curricula are structured to meet the needs of this diverse audience with an emphasis on how various elements work together in emergencies to save lives and protect property.

Emergency Services and Disaster Relief Branch (ESDRB)

This branch is within the Division of Program Development, Special Populations and Projects of CMHS and provides disaster mental health technical assistance to FEMA and the state mental health authority on the crisis counseling program. A project officer is assigned to the state for the regular service grant and monitors programming and expenditures. ESDRB is located at 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 17C-20, Parklawn Building, Rockville, Maryland, 20857. The telephone number is (301) 443-4735. FAX 301-443-8040.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA is the lead Federal agency in disaster response and recovery. The Stafford Act provides the authority for the Federal government to respond to disasters and emergencies in order to provide assistance to save lives and protect public health, safety, and property. FEMA provides funding for crisis counseling grants to state mental health departments following Presidentially declared disasters.

Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO)

This person is appointed by the President to coordinate Federal assistance in an emergency or major disaster. The FCO acts as the President's representative on-site during a disaster recovery operation. The positions of Disaster Recovery Manager (DRM) and FCO are usually held by the same person.

Gatekeepers

Gatekeepers are people within the community who can provide access to target populations and are part of the community support system. Examples include teachers, clergy, school counselors, physicians, health care workers, welfare workers, funeral directors, and others.

Governor's Authorized Representative (GAR)

This person is appointed by the Governor and has the authority to execute all necessary documents for disaster assistance on behalf of the state. Often the GAR and the State Coordinating Officer (SCO) are the same person.

Human Services (HS)/Individual Assistance (IA)

FEMA disaster programs and services include assistance for individual disaster survivors/victims and their families. Major HS programs include: Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Individual and Family Grant Program, Disaster Housing Program, Cora Brown Fund, and Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training. HS programs were called IA programs prior to 1992. Some state offices of emergency management still refer to IA programs.

Immediate Services (IS)

The IS grant is for the initial crisis counseling response. Although programming may be continued through the RS Grant, funding is considered separate and comes from FEMA. IS funding may be approved in response to a state request for up to sixty-days from the date of the Presidential Declaration or until a RS is funded. Reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred between the date of the disaster occurrence and the disaster declaration may be provided through the immediate services program.

Key Informants

Key informants are people within the community who through their regular contact with local residents can provide information on who is impacted by the disaster. In rural areas key informants include health care personnel such as physicians, nurses and pharmacists; ministers, pastors and clergy members; beauticians and barbers; and senior center personnel.

National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD)

The directors of state departments of mental health comprise this organization located at 66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 302, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 739-9333.

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)

NVOAD is a group of voluntary organizations that have made disaster response a priority. State VOADs also exist and can direct local organizations and governments to resources within their area. If unable to determine the state VOAD coordinator, contact the national VOAD coordinator at (301) 270-6782.

Project Officer (PO)

The PO is the person representing CMHS to monitor the crisis counseling project, provide consultation, technical assistance and guidance, and be the contact point within the Department of Health and Human Services for the mental health services provided following a disaster.

Public Assistance (PA)

FEMA funds programs and services available to communities impacted by disasters. This is the "bricks and mortar" response such as debris removal and road and bridge reconstruction.

Regional Director (RD)

FEMA is divided into ten regions, each run by a regional director. The RD has authority to approve or disapprove immediate services funding requests for the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program.

Regular Services (RS)

The RS grant funds recovery crisis counseling services following a disaster. RS can be funded for up to nine months. An extension can be requested due to documented extreme need for three months beyond the initial nine-month period. Program and funds are monitored by CMHS.

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act)

The Stafford Act is the legislation that enables Federal emergency response and services to be provided following a disaster. Section 416 authorizes the President to provide Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training for disaster victims following Presidentially declared disasters.

Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) houses SAMHSA, which is divided into three centers: Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). CMHS provides the technical assistance to FEMA for the Crisis Counseling Program.

State Coordinating Officer (SCO)

The SCO is the person appointed by the Governor to work in cooperation with the Federal Coordinating Officer. Often, the SCO and the GAR are the same person.

Unmet Needs Committees (UNC)

Often, local disaster services groups form an unmet needs committee to review survivors/victims needs, pool resources, and ensure non-duplication of services. Committees meet on a regular basis. Crisis counseling representatives ensure that the disaster mental health needs are met not only for the survivors but for committee members as well.

Table of Contents