Mental Health Team for Disaster and Community Response

The Orange County Mental Health Team

for Disaster and Community Response

Who we are:

The Orange County Mental Health Team for Disaster and Community Response is a team of Mental Health Professionals who, in addition to the education in their individual disciplines, have been trained specifically for response to the mental health needs that may develop as a result of disasters and other community incidents in which there is severe destruction, loss of life, or other significant trauma. The Mental Health Team for Disaster and Community Response is deployed often in cases where there are multiple persons affected, such as a worksite tragedy, large scale fire, or community flooding.  They may be dispatched during community crises when other mental health support is not available.  The members of the Team are volunteers, who include staff of the Orange County Department of Mental Health and its Provider agencies. 

Who we are not:

• The Team is not a Crisis response team for individual mental health needs.

[Orange County Mobile Mental Health, 1-888-750-2266, is available for psychiatric emergencies primarily involving individual crises in which a person may be in immanent danger of harming themselves or others.]

• The Team is not a medical emergency response unit.
• The Team is not a substitute for an Employee Assistance Program or psychiatric treatment services.

Where and when we respond:

The Team responds to incidents in Orange County, except for instances of Mutual Aid, when requested by neighboring Counties or entities.

We respond when activated by the Orange County Commissioner of Mental Health.  In addition to larger scale incidents, we may be called at the discretion of the Commissioner to respond to a variety of community requests for Mental Health support.   To prevent duplication of services, deployment is often coordinated with other groups that provide similar services, such as School Crisis Teams, The American Red Cross, and HORIZONS Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

How to activate the Team:

If you believe the services of the Team may be needed, call (845) 291-2600 to contact the Commissioner of Mental Health, Chris Ashman, or the Deputy Commissioner, Darcie Miller.  If the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner are not available, you may contact Team Coordinator, Barry Hawkins.  During non-business hours, you may contact Mobile Mental Health at (888) 750-2266 which is able to contact the Commissioner or his designee.

Can I become a member of the Team?

Mental Health Professionals, who have experience working with individuals and groups in a mental health setting, may apply to be part of the Team.  If accepted, they must complete a specialized training workshop in Disaster Mental Health provided by the Department.  The training is not designed to make non-mental health workers into Mental Health Professionals, but to provide additional tools in the area of Disaster and Community Response to those already working in the field of Mental Health.  If you are interested in being a part of the Team, download the application at this link, and return to Dr. Barry Hawkins, Orange County Department of Mental Health, 30 Harriman Drive, Goshen, NY 10924.

What does it involve to be a part of the Team?

The preliminary training, “Disaster Mental Health: A Critical Response,” provided in either a one or two-day format, is prerequisite for Team membership.  This training provides an overview of the kind of skills needed and activities that might be involved in responding to incidents.  After completing it, Team members have a better idea whether their temperament and skills are a good “fit” with this kind of work.  Those who join the Team are expected to attend quarterly meetings for updates and training, and to be available for assignment to incidents that may occur on at least an occasional basis.  Team members indicate their availability, and in general are only called upon when their schedule allows.  Participation is always voluntary. Members are also asked to complete two brief on-line courses offered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration to familiarize themselves with the structures and procedures that are put into action during emergencies.

Schedule:

The planned 2009 schedule of meetings for the Orange County Mental Health Team for Disaster and Community Response is as follows:

Date                                                    Topic                                                                           Location

January 14, 2009                     Breakfast Meeting-Light breakfast provided                Dept of MH
8:30 AM                                      Annual recognition and award meeting                        Goshen, NY 
                                                    Thank you gifts to Team.  In-service on procedures
                                                    and policies.  Tools for intervention.               

June 9, 2009                            Lunch Meeting - Lunch provided                                     Dept. of MH
12:00 Noon                              What happens when tragedy hits our schools?          Goshen, NY
                                                    Coordinating with schools - BOCES, CISM

Announcements and training opportunities:

Links.

Orange County Medical Reserve Corps:
http://www.orangecountygov.com/orgMain.asp?storyID=2433&sid=

Federal Emergency Management Administration Self Study Link:
http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp                                                         

Center for Disaster Medicine and Emergency Preparedness, University of Rochester Medical Center:
http://www.centerfordisastermedicine.org/

American Red Cross of Greater New York, Disaster Services:
http://www.nyredcross.org/page.php/prmID/12