2012 NCJ Disaster Response Academy 

"Preparing for the Next Disaster"

Koinonia Retreat Center, South Haven, MN 

 March 14-17, 2012

Our call to be a Caring Presence in the time of Disaster

These Conferences invite ALL from the North Central Jurisdiction to join them in

Learning and Preparing to Witness and Serve:

Iowa, Minnesota, The Dakotas, Wisconsin

Class Instructors and Trainers

UMCOR Consultants will lead the UMCOR classes

Judy Bezon, Church of the Brethren will lead the Children's Disaster Services workshop.

Lorna Jost, UMVIM-NCJ Coordinator will lead the UMVIM Leadership Training class.

Training Courses Offered

There are three suggested Class Tracks (Basic, Trainers, Experienced)  PLUS  the Children in Disaster Track to choose from.  You do not have to adhere to the tracks but they might be helpful in your understanding of Disaster Response overall!  A Session is defined as the morning or afternoon class period. Be mindful of which classes take more than one session when signing up! Follow the (ON UMVIM-NCJ Website) Schematic of Classes and times)

Basic Track (BT) – options for beginners or refresher courses

• Disaster 101 (One session)
• Ministry of Care (One session)
• Connecting Neighbors (Three sessions)
• Disaster Case Management overview? (One session)
• Children in Disaster track is an option for Friday and Saturday (Three sessions + an overnight simulation) 

Trainers Track (TT)

• Basic ERT (will be offered twice if enough people sign up)
• ERT - Train the Trainer (TTT) (Four sessions)
• ERT200 SA (One session)

Note: those with the badge already may take basic or experienced track before TTT class starts 

Experienced Track (ExT)

• Volunteer Management (One session)
• Disaster Case Management Overview (One session) 
• Conference UMVIM Coordinators (One Session)
• Disaster Response Coordinators (DRC) & District DRC’s will separately for training and then together to coordinate understanding of roles (each One session)
  • DRC – help in creating/updating the conference plan, roles of Conference Disaster Response Coordinator.
  • DDRC – help in understanding roles and responsibilities. District Distaster Response Coordinator
  • Both groups + UMVIM Coordinators together  – work on issues, building blocks to intra- and cross-conference cooperation 

Children's Disaster Services (CDS) : Church of the Brethren Curriculum

• This course is self-contained and includes an overnight simulation – participants are to bring sleeping bags and air mattresses for this simulation. 
• Extra information on what to bring, etc., can be found on the Church of the Brethren CDS Website. Note: the cost for this particular workshop is reduced to $15.00, not $45.00 as on their website.

UMVIM Team Leader Training (TLT) is offered Saturday AM as an option to all tracks

Sessions for ALL

Orientation – required for all participants

• Wed. evening – UMCOR 101  – required for all participants
• Thurs. evening – UMCOR/UMVIM working relationship – encouraged to attend
• Friday evening – Pat Wright (Midwest Mission Distribution Center) and Kathy Kraiza (UMCOR Sager Brown Depot) will talk on the inter-relatedness of the Depot network 

A synopsis of courses offered is found on pages 4-6 of this document.

For more information: All courses offered by UMCOR can be found online:

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/emergencies/us/trainingprograms/

ERT certification information: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/emergencies/us/ert/

Cost Breakdown 

MEALS:   9 meals provided starting with Wed. dinner and ending with Sat. sack lunch

ROOMS:   3 nights stay

TOTAL:    $185.00

Early Bird Price = $155.00, UMCOR grant allows this

For those coming ONLY for the Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) Course:

• CDS with 4 meals + lodging Friday night is $55.00 before Feb 8 and $65 after.
• CDS with 5 meals + Thurs and Friday lodging is $95.00 before Feb 8 and $150.00 after.

Additional Costs:

• UMVIM Leadership Handbook : $25 per manual for those taking team leader training

Children's Disaster Services

Nuturing children

Since 1980 Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has been meeting the needs of children by setting up child care centers in shelters and disaster assistance centers across the nation.  Specially trained to respond to traumatized children, volunteers provide a calm, safe and reassuring presence in the midst of the chaos created by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires any natural or human caused disaster. 

Volunteers from across the country: 

• participate in specialized experiential training
• undergo a rigorous screening process
• learn to work with children after a disaster
• are capable of mobilizing rapidly and responding both locally and nationally. 

Volunteers arrive to a disaster location with a “Kit of Comfort” containing carefully selected toys that promote imaginative play. Volunteers give children individualized attention and encourage them to express themselves, thereby starting the healing process. Although many volunteers are motivated by faith, CDS’ training is open to anyone over 18 years old. 

CDS provides respite, education and individualized consultation for parents about their child’s unique emotional needs after a disaster.  Through consultation or workshops specifically tailored to each situation, CDS also works with parents, community agencies, schools or others to help them understand and meet the special needs of children during or after a disaster. 

Judy Bezon is Associate Director, Children's Disaster Services, Church of the Brethren
601 Main Street / PO Box 188 / New Windsor, MD 21776 / 410-635-8734 (office)

View the program information on the CDS website.

Read a story about volunteering through this avenue. 

Those taking this course are required to have proof of a background check or submit a form to have one done, have references and take part in an overnight simulation (Friday night).

UMVIM Team Leadership Training

The team training helps ensure that :

1.  Teams will go where invited

2.  Teams will have leaders that are trained in and will convey to their teams aspects of cultural sensitivity, spiritual growth, personal relationships

3.  Teams will abide by Safe Sanctuary guidelines

4.  Teams will act out the three simple rules : Do no harm, Do good and Love God

The training will be held Saturday AM.  You may attend this training only.  Register for the event and pick this option.  Arrive at the camp by 8:30 AM Saturday.  You will pay for a manual and a sack lunch as this class may run over a bit past noon.