Foundations of Disaster Response for Healing Professionals April 2-3, 2016 

This workshop is designed for healing professionals including mental health practitioners, social workers, body-workers, medical personnel and others who are interested in learning more about the disaster response system in the United States. Disaster response requires the ability to work as a closely connected team member within an environment steeped in trauma. It presents a unique and challenging environment in which responders must be aware of safety concerns, cultural challenges, language barriers, competing agendas, and political pitfalls, all within an emergency and disaster response system that operates with very strict command structures and regulations. This course will introduce you to the complex, challenging, and rewarding world of disaster response, helping you to decide if this is truly a field in which you wish to participate. Information provided in this workshop will address the prevailing structure and culture of national and local disaster response systems; what to expect during different disaster phases; important considerations in disaster response team development and deployment; essential skills and abilities as a disaster responder; and self-care strategies to maintain resilience. While somatic skills will be referenced, a background in Somatic Experiencing or somatic therapies is not necessarily required, and the focus of the training is on the overall structure of the disaster response system – not on somatic interventions during disaster response operations.

Attend this program to learn:

• Disaster Responder Self-Assessment and Self-Care
• Disaster Team Membership
• Disaster Team Development
• Dynamics of Disaster Environments
• Basic Intervention Skills for Disaster Settings

Instructor Lisa La Due, MSW, LISW, SEP

Lisa LaDue is a Colorado licensed clinical social worker and a volunteer with multiple disaster response teams including Team Rubicon, the American Red Cross, and the National Disaster Medical System. She is also a volunteer firefighter in her mountain community where she responds to structure and wildland fires, vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. Lisa has responded to many catastrophic disasters including the September 11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean Tsunami, the May 12 (2008) Sichuan (China) Earthquake, the High Park Fire (Colorado) and the Nepal Earthquake. Lisa is the director of the National Mass Fatalities Institute, providing training and consultation to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from catastrophic disasters that result in mass fatalities.

Continuing Education 12 CEs available from: BRN (CA), NAADAC, NASW, NBCC

Tuition $365

For more information and to register

Rosetta Rhodes rrhodes@traumahealing.org   (914) 629-1690

Louise Peyrot lpeyrot@traumahealing.org (860) 965-5800