Disaster Behavioral Health: A Critical Response Building Maine's Capacity to Respond

Program Overview
The training programs will be two days in length and will be held from 8:30 – 5 pm each day. Participants are stongly encouraged to attend both days. Note: To be eligible for the Maine Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team participants must attend both days.

Program Purpose
The purpose of these trainings is two fold:
1. To develop a better informed disaster response community in Maine around the issue of behavioral health and its critical role in disaster response.
2. To develop a volunteer team of disaster behavioral health responders throughout Maine who are available to provide mental health and substance abuse support in the event of a disaster or local emergency.

Agenda
Day One: Participants will learn about the behavioral health impact of disasters on individuals and communities. They will also learn about normal and adverse stress reactions and be given information about how the state and national disaster preparedness and response systems work.

Day Two: Participants will learn disaster behavioral health interventions used to identify and address these reactions (such as psychological first aid). They will go through an exercise to learn how to set up a family assistance center and respond to the needs of the victims and families. Finally, they will have the opportunity to learn about and join the formal state team in Maine tasked with responding to the behavioral health needs of the community after a disaster.

Intended Audience
Mental health and substance abuse providers, psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, social workers, spiritual care providers, first responders, and other individuals who wish to learn more about the behavioral health response to disasters or are interested in joining the Maine Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team. Individuals interested in joining the Maine Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team are eligible to attend at no charge.

Registration and Payment
Download a brochure to register by mail or fax. Send registration and payment to: AdCare Maine, 75 Stone Street, Augusta, ME 04330
Fax: 207-621-2550

Or register online at http://www.neias.org/mecdc/disaster2009reg.html

Cancellations must be received in writing by October 6, 2009 (Farmington) - September 23, 2009 (Skowhegan) - October 28, 2009 (Saco). No shows will be charged the full fee.

Registration Fee is $50.

Conference registration fee or agency purchase order must be received before admission to the conference. Individuals interested in joining the Maine disaster behavioral health response team are eligible to attend at no charge.

Confirmation of registration / site directions will be sent to you after the registration deadline of September 30, 2009 (Farmington) - September 14, 2009 (Skowhegan) - October 28, 2009 (Saco).

Behavioral Health Response Teams
Teams will be managed at the state level by the Program Director of Disaster Behavioral Health Services and managed locally by clinical team leaders. These teams will be deployed through the state emergency management system. Teams will be trained to respond to the emotional needs of disaster victims, responders, or community members in local, state, or nationally declared disasters or traumatic incidents requiring a behavioral health response.

Maine's Disaster Behavioral Health Response Capacity
Questions related to Maine's disaster behavioral health response capacity can be directed to:

Pamela Holland, Ed.M., LCPC, CGC, BCETS
Director, Disaster Behavioral Health
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of Public Health and Emergency Preparedness
286 Water Street, 6th Floor - Key Plaza
Augusta, Maine 04333
Phone: 207-287-3796
Fax: 207-287-4612
E-mail: Pamela.Holland@maine.gov

Conference Information

AdCare Educational Institute - Maine

Phone: 800-886-3933 or 626-3615

Fax: 621-2550

TTY: 623-0830

Email:

Sponsors:

Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Public Health Systems
Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Planning Support Provided By:
AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc.

Non-Discrimination Notice:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, or national origin, in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities, or its hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Maine Human Rights Act and Executive Order Regarding State of Maine Contracts for Services. Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the ADA may be forwarded to the DHHS ADA Compliance/ EEO Coordinators, #11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333, 207-287-4289 (V), or 287-3488 (V)1-888-577-6690 (TTY). Individuals who need auxiliary aids for effective communication in program and services of DHHS are invited to make their needs and preferences known to one of the ADA Compliance/EEO Coordinators. This notice is available in alternate formats, upon request.