NJ Disaster Crisis Counselor Newsletter

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NJ Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services

New Jersey Crisis Counselor Newsletter

Chris Christie, Governor Beth Connolly, Acting Commissioner

Kim Guadagno, Lt. Governor Valerie Mielke, Asst. Commissioner

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Summer 2016

In this Edition

Local DRCC Activity

Reading, Research and Resources

Preparedness

Updates to DRCC Program

Join us in welcoming these new DRCCs!

Jennifer Bauwens

Heather Brooks

Ashley Capicotto

Thomas Crangle

Javier Galindo

Mary Goepfert

Monica Goffan

Meg Mantello

Nicholas Marino

Patricia McKenna

Cesar Orozco

Haydee Paez

Mary Reimer

Tara Sager

Joseph Schachnow

Jennifer Sinacore

Annette Smith

Mary Sokup

Richard Taylor

Sara Thode

Rorberta Warner

QUICK LINKS

NJ Disaster Response
Crisis Counselor

NJ Department of Human Services

NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services

NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services - Disaster and Terrorism Branch

The Mental Health Association in NJ

Dear Disaster Response Crisis Counselor,

As we head into the summer, we reflect on the months that have passed as we prepare for the upcoming season.

In January, we responded to Winter Storm Jonas, providing crisis counseling to the affected residents. Thank you to all the DRCCs who were involved in this response. Your dedication and compassion are greatly appreciated.

The DTB team continued to provide training to numerous agencies as well as having a presence at several conferences. In April, the team participated in breakout sessions at the New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Conference. It is a pleasure to continue to train and network with our emergency response partners in order to continue planning a coordinated response to events that impact our state. In May, the DTB team presented workshops at the annual New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association conference in Atlantic City.

As we head into another hurricane season, it is important to continually revisit our networks and refresh our preparedness efforts. This newsletter cites several resources from our state and federal partners to help keep you informed and prepared for this season. DTB continues to provide training for DRCCs and emergency responses partners. I hope this information will assist you in your preparedness efforts and updates you on the team's activities during the past several months. As always I am very appreciative of your ongoing support of the DRCC program. Here's hoping for a quiet hurricane season!

Regards,

Adrienne Fessler-Belli, Ph.D., LCSW
Director, Disaster and Terrorism Branch
New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
New Jersey Department of Human Services

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Local DRCC Activity

WINTER STORM JONAS

2016 NJ VOAD CONFERENCE

2016

NEW JERSEY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

As seen on NJ.com:

"HUNTERDON COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE TRAINING TO HELP IN A DISASTER"

New Jersey was one of several states

impacted by Winter Storm Jonas on January 23, 2016. Governor Christie declared a state of emergency after the storm brought high winds, ice, coastal flooding and more than two feet of snow in some areas. The Tri-County COAD established a MARC (Multi-Agency Resource Center) in West Wildwood Borough Hall to support ho meowners who were affected. In addition, on February 4, the Christie Administration hosted Storm Assistance Workshops in Sea Isle City and Wildwood to provide assi stance to residents and businesses impacted by the storm. The DTB team and Cape M ay County Disaster Response Crisis Counselors (DRCCs) were deployed to provide crisis counseling to the residents affected by Jonas at these events. Many survivors described having significant damage to home, loss of their belongings (clothing, furniture, children's toys, computers, school books) and/or loss or damage to their vehicles. They needed to talk and have their feelings heard about everything they had experienced. We were able to provide emotional support and a compassionate ear to many who were experiencing overwhelming stress resulting from the effects of Jonas.

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DTB participated in the annual NJ Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Conference on April 13, 2016. NJVOAD's mission is to bring together New Jersey organizations active in the disaster response process across the state and to foster cooperation and coordination in preparedness, response, and recovery activities. The goal is to offer more effective services to individuals and communities affected by disaster by ensuring ongoing communication between disaster responders. Breakout sessions conducted by DTB included: Addressing the Needs of Those with Substance Use Disorder in Disaster and Partnering with First Responders- Communication, Cooperation and Collaboration.

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The annual Emergency Preparedness Association (EPA) Conference was held in Atlantic City from May 2-6, 2016. The Conference is designed to meet the needs of New Jersey's emergency response managers as well as private partners in the emergency management community. Attendees included representatives from Health, OEM, Homeland Security & Preparedness, Law Enforcement, Fire Response, and several Non-Government organizations.

DTB conducted three workshops , "Promoting Resiliency in First Responders", "First Responder Suicide" and "Addressing Addiction Issues in Community Crisis".

"Promoting Resiliency in First Responders" was a four hour workshop addressing the importance of preparing first responder communities to address traumatic stress and make identifying and responding to their own stress a standard operating procedure. The First Responder Suicide session provided first responders with information on risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide ideation. Attendees were also provided information on identifying positive resources to make a referral or seek assistance for a personal crisis.

The "First Responder Suicide" workshop focused on issues unique to the culture of first responders and the difficulty this group may experience stepping out of their helping roles and seeking services for themselves. This is especially significant in this group since the very nature of their profession is that they are exposed to many stressful events.

"Addressing Addiction issues in Community Crisis" educated participants on the prevalence of substance use disorders in New Jersey and the issues that arises from this population following a disaster. Special attention will focus on the opioid epidemic current in New Jersey, the Guest Emergency Dosing Systems and the Mobile Medication Distribution units that will help first responders address the needs of this population to mitigate further need for medical intervention. This workshop is currently available on the training website as a DRCC recertification course.

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Members of the clergy train to be Disaster Response Crisis Counselors
in Hunterdon. With them is county Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III. (courtesy photo)

Flemington - Hunterdon residents are learning how to help others in the event of a disaster, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III and Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski jointly announced Tuesday.

The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office recently hosted New Jersey Disaster Response Crisis Counselor training for nearly 30 residents from various backgrounds including clergy from Hunterdon's One Voice initiative. Another training is set to start April 26.

Disaster Response Crisis Counselors just completed training and a new session is set to start April 26 for those interested. With the trainees is the prosecutor's chief of detectives, John J. Kuczynski (far left). (courtesy photo)

The training is led by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services within the New Jersey Department of Human Services Disaster and Terrorism Branch.

Attendees at the most recent session included clergy and chaplains from Califon United Methodist Church, Islamic Center of Hunterdon County, Spruce Run Lutheran Church in Glen Gardner, Cherryville Baptist Church, Rockaway Reformed Church, and Christ Church of Montclair and Morristown.

The training began in March and concluded April 14. Assisting with the registration for One Voice was the SAFE Communities Coalition of Hunterdon and Somerset.

The Disaster Response Crisis Counselor instructors will be conducting additional training sessions in Hunterdon County starting April 26. The next session is sponsored by Hunterdon County Public Health Services; find more information online at the DRCC's website.

Click here to see the full article on nj.com

Reading, Research and Resources

PREPARE, RESPOND

&

RECOVER

SAMHSA DTAC Supplemental Research Bulletin

Each issue of the biannual Supplemental Research Bulletin highlights articles, research, and literature reviews on topics of interest for disaster responders.

Click the link below for the January 2016 issue of the Disaster Technical Assistance Center Supplemental Research Bulletin which reviews existing literature and provides a general summary of challenges experienced by disaster researchers in the field and offers potential solutions.

Challenges and Considerations in Disaster Research

Preparedness

NJOHSP
OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS

MORE
ON HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

AMERICA'S PREPAREATHON!

Hurricane Preparedness Week:
Social Media's Role in Disaster Response

In today's rapidly advancing technology and innovation environment, social media is a critical component of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. As social media's growth and popularity continues, citizens and first responders alike can receive timely information during severe weather events. Tools that aggregate social media content present an opportunity for first responders to monitor critical infrastructure operations, and identify high-damage areas and people in need in real-time during an incident.

Private and public sector organizations also have the ability to quickly share information with the citizens and customers they serve via social media. Certain social media applications, including those used by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (OEM), allow select public safety and emergency organizations to provide up-to-date alerts on unfolding events. With more than 179 million users on various social media networks across the US, leveraging these platforms enhances emergency notification and response capabilities.

After Superstorm Sandy made landfall in 2012, Twitter users had sent more than 20 million tweets related to the storm. Several New Jersey organizations and service providers used social media to provide citizens the locations of vital resources, such as generators. Throughout the course of the storm government agencies, key response stakeholders and citizens took advantage of these social media tools, many for the first time. FEMA's 2015 National Preparedness Report (NPR) showed organizations across disciplines began incorporating social media technology in their emergency preparedness posture-highlighting the growth of social media as a tool to rapidly assess disaster-related damage, and share information to large groups of people during an emergency.

June 1 marks the beginning of Atlantic hurricane season, and forecasters have predicted average activity. As the start of the season gets closer, federal, state, and local emergency management personnel will advocate for community preparedness through efforts like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Hurricane Preparedness Week. In the event of a hurricane, social media can be used to improve situational awareness, enable early warning systems, assess damage, and coordinate relief efforts. For the latest information on hurricane preparation, follow OEM at @ReadyNJ.

Resources

Before a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Strikes

When a Hurricane or Tropical Storm is Approaching

After a Hurricane or Tropical Storm - Returning Home

This article was distributed by NJOHSP in the May 18, 2016 Resiliency Bulletin.

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June marks the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Hurricane Preparedness Week was May 15th through the 21st, below you will find tips issued during each of these seven days. Please remember it only takes one storm to change your life and community, now is the time to prepare for a potential land-falling tropical storm or hurricane. This information comes from the

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, ready.gov , weather.gov and flash.org

Share this information with your loved ones to ensure they are prepared!

Click on each day to get a printable PDF of the daily tip sheet.

Day 1: Determine your risk. Find out today what types of wind and water hazards could happen where you live, and then start preparing now for how to handle them. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland.

Day 2: An evacuation plan. The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you're in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane. If you are, figure out where you would go and how you would get there if told to evacuate.

Day 3: Updating your insurance. Call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home. Don't forget coverage for your car or boat. Remember, standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding. Whether you're a homeowner or renter, you'll need a separate policy for it, and it's available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program at www.floodsmart.gov. Act now as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.

Day 4: Your hurricane supplies. You're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy and unpleasant aftermath. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of one week. Electricity and water could be out for at least that long. You'll need extra cash, a battery-powered radio and flashlights. Many of us have cell phones, and they all run on batteries. You're going to need a portable, crank or solar powered USB charger.

Day 5: Strengthening your home. If you plan to ride out the storm in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications. Many of these retrofits do not cost much or take as long to do as you may think. Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand the winds.

Day 6: Where to get hurricane information. NOAA's National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center are your official sources for hurricane forecasts and the issuance of hurricane watches and warnings. Your local NOAA National Weather Service forecast office provides information regarding the expected impacts from the storm for your area. Emergency managers will make the decisions regarding evacuations. Organizations such as FLASH make disaster safety recommendations. And the media outlets will broadcast this information to you. All work together to be your trusted sources, especially for those less able to take care of themselves.

Day 7: Being prepared for a hurricane. The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. If you wait until a hurricane is on your doorstep, the odds are that you will be under duress and will make the wrong decisions. Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know where you will ride out the storm and get your supplies now. You don't want to be standing in long lines when a hurricane warning is issued. Those supplies that you need will probably be sold out by the time you reach the front of the line. Being prepared, before a hurricane threatens, makes you resilient to the hurricane impacts of wind and water. It will mean the difference between your being a hurricane victim and a hurricane survivor.

This information was distributed by FEMA.

For more information please visit the sites below:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/hurricane_preparedness.html

https://www.ready.gov/hurricane-toolkit

http://www.flash.org/

http://www.weather.gov/

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America's PrepareAthon! Is a biannual national, grassroots campaign organized by FEMA to increase individual and community preparedness and resilience. It is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills, and exercises.

This year's America's PrepareAthon Day of Action, celebrated on April 30, 2016, kicked off the campaign nationwide.

The goal of this campaign is to increase the number of individuals who:

Understand which disasters could happen in their community
Know what to do to be safe and mitigate damage
Take action to increase their preparedness
Participate in community resilience planning

To be part of the campaign, your agency can host events and use social media to raise awareness and participation in your communities throughout the year. The website www.ready.gov provides examples of easily achievable preparedness activities.

Register your preparedness activities on the America's PrepareAthon website at https://community.fema.gov/AP_Register . Registering makes your organization part of the biggest preparedness effort in the United States, provides you with additional preparedness resources and recognizes your action-oriented activities as part of America's PrepareAthon.

Being prepared is more important than ever. We've seen some devastating disasters, but in the last two years nearly 70 percent of Americans have not participated in a preparedness drill or exercise, at their workplace, school, or home. On the America's PrepareAthon website you'll find step-by-step playbooks on how to host a group discussion and conduct an activity or drill. There are also videos and customizable materials to help promote your event. Think about what hazard can impact your community and do something.

So Be Smart, Take Part and Prepare.

Updates to DRCC Program

ONLINE RECERTIFICATION CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH NCTSN LEARNING CENTER!

DTB approved 6 online courses you can take to receive recertification credits through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Learning Center. You will need to create an account and register through their website. The courses are free of charge.

Below you will find the approved course titles. Go to the website http://learn.nctsn.org/ click the search tool at the top right hand corner of the homepage and enter the training title. Click the title and you will see a brief description of the training as well as "Enrollment options". If you don't already have an account, click "create a new account".

Once your account is established you will find the training through the search tool as described above and complete them online. Upon completion you will receive a certificate from NCTSN. To receive DRCC recertification credits you must enter the title of the training into your online DRCC application (http://www.njdrcc.org/credentialing/login.php).

To add these trainings to your DRCC application: under the training heading click "add", click "select training" and on the pull down menu scroll down until you see "other (name below)". You will then manually enter the title into the box. You should also fax (973-857-0682) or scan/email the certificate to Tegan Perrotta ( [email protected]).

These courses have CE's through National Association of Social Workers, American Psychological Association, California Board of Behavioral Sciences, and the Board of Registered Nursing.

Preparing Our Children for Emergencies