Disaster Spiritual Care Fundamentals

Location of bathrooms and fire exits Location of snack machines and beverages Schedule for breaks Smoking areas Cell phones are only to be used outside of the classroom. Listen respectfully to others. Housekeeping and Ground Rules Slide 2 of 45

Unit 1: Introduction Introductions Course purpose and objectives Slide 3 of 45

What is your role in the region? What experience do you have within the Red Cross or outside of the Red Cross that you would like to share? What are your expectations for this course? Participant Introductions Slide 4 of 45

Present the Disaster Spiritual Care Function. Course Purpose Prepare volunteers to provide appropriate and respectful Disaster Spiritual Care services. Prepare volunteers to provide appropriate and respectful Disaster Spiritual Care services. Slide 5 of 45

Objectives Recall the history of disaster spiritual care. Describe the roles in DSC and the requirements of a DSC worker. Explain the types of disasters and appropriate and respectful disaster spiritual care interventions. Describe the process of assessing clients in a disaster situation. Utilize methods to provide self-care and care for the care giver. Identify the role of DSC on a local level and working with community partners. Understand the role of DSC on Disaster Relief Operations. Describe appropriate ways to provide disaster spiritual care on a local and national disaster operation. Slide 6 of 45

1996 MOU, NTSB and VST # Began collaborating with ARC Terrorist Attacks Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Sandy A Little Bit of History 2014 Mudslides Eastern WA Slide 7 of 45

Draw upon a client’s own spiritual resources Provide age appropriate and culturally sensitive disaster spiritual care in times of distress Provide care during local level traumatic events Slide 8 of 45

Eligibility and Screening Eligibility Professional chaplains Local endorsed faith-based providers Active, engaged leaders of local faith-based organizations Screening Screened by either their Regional Disaster Spiritual Care Lead or the Division Disaster Spiritual Care Advisor. Slide 9 of 45

Unit 2: Introduction to Disaster Spiritual Care Roles within Disaster Spiritual Care How Disaster Spiritual Care assesses clients Types of interventions for provision of disaster spiritual care How to provide care for the Caregiver and one’s own self-care Slide 10 of 45

Roles in Disaster Spiritual Care Positions at the chapter or regional level o Chaplains o Local endorsed disaster spiritual care providers Positions as part of the incident command structure on a disaster relief operation. Slide 11 of 45

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The Mission of the American Red Cross To prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Slide 13 of 45

Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Voluntary Service Unity Universality Slide 14 of 45

National VOAD Guidelines Crisis intervention skills Grief support skills Cultural sensitivity; able to work in interfaith settings Ability to work as a team within command structures Spiritual maturity; ability to respect other faith traditions and not impose own beliefs on others Capacity to maintain healthy boundaries and balance Flexibility and patience Ability to assess situations, make decisions and make referrals when indicated. Slide 15 of 45

Disaster Cycle Services Slide 16 of 45

What is a Disaster? Slide 17 of 45

Activity - Apartment Fire Slide 18 of 45 Scenario You arrive at an apartment fire and see the family affected outside. What are some of the factors you would consider in this type of event?

Who are our Clients? Slide 19 of 45

Myers and Zunin, 1990; DHHS, 2000 & 2004; Herrmann, 2004 Slide 20 of 45

When Disaster Occurs… Client requests to speak with Disaster Spiritual Care Another volunteer may bring a client need to your attention Disaster Spiritual Care may be deployed You may approach a client to assess needs Slide 21 of 45

Areas of Service When your faith tradition coincides with that of the client’s:  Interact according to what is appropriate, considering the particular disaster situation and faith tradition. When your faith tradition and the client’s faith tradition do not align :  Your primary role is to provide basic appropriate and respectful disaster spiritual care. Slide 22 of 45

Differences: Disaster Spiritual Care vs. Non-Disaster Spiritual Care Providing appropriate and respectful care in the disaster context- outside your own faith tradition and in events where the needs exceed your own ability to provide assistance Slide 23 of 45

Activity - Interventions What is your first responsibility going to be when you are presented with clients on a disaster? How can you support clients in the immediate aftermath of a disaster? Slide 24 of 45

Appropriate and Respectful Disaster Spiritual Care Services What are some unacceptable behaviors that must be avoided? How can you provide interfaith services in an appropriate and respectful manner? How will you know if you’ve provided the most excellent disaster spiritual care services? Slide 25 of 45

Caring for the Caregiver We are vulnerable to empathy fatigue and compassion fatigue. The cost of “caring” may be accelerated by the disaster intensity. We are at risk just by listening to stories. Slide 26 of 45

Unit 3: DSC on the Local Level Identify the role of Disaster Spiritual Care on a local level. Identify the need for community partners and who those partners would be. Role play some situations you may face on a local disaster response. Slide 27 of 45

DSC Local Role DAT responses Community education Home fire campaigns Slide 28 of 45

Community Partners Identify resources and referral sources. Referral sources should have characteristics that are the same as DSC Examples: o VOADs o COADs o Local Agencies o State Agencies Slide 29 of 45

Making Referrals Give the appropriate contact information to the client and allow the client to make the contact directly. You can contact the other agency on behalf of the client. Client Consent to Share Information form must be completed to protect the client’s right to privacy. Only information that is necessary for an effective referral will be shared. Slide 30 of 45

Activity – Recruitment and Selection List four places within the community where you can target recruitment efforts. Slide 31 of 45

Regional Lead Responsibilities Recruitment Maintain and support your local team Conduct regular team meetings Act as subject matter expert who provides consultation and guidance to chapter and regional leadership. Slide 32 of 45

Activity – DSC at the Local Level Your turn to work through a scenario. All disasters are unique. These scenarios are based on actual responses but some details have been changed to make them more generic. Each situation will have unique challenges and responses. Work with your group to review your scenario and answer your assigned questions. Be prepared to share your answers with the class. Slide 33 of 45

Unit 4: DSC on a Disaster Relief Operation Review the role of Disaster Spiritual Care on a DRO. Provide guidance on working with other activities. Review the role of the Staff Lead on a DRO. Discuss a response to transportation and mass casualty incidents. Practice dealing with various scenarios on a DRO. Slide 34 of 45

Keep in Mind… o Gathering information is challenging as it is changing rapidly. o Order will evolve, so be patient! o Disasters are chaotic o Expect lots of activity and some confusion. o Flexibility is key! Slide 35 of 45

DRO Organizational Chart Slide 36 of 45

DMH DSC Other Activities Working with Other Activities Health Services Client Casework and recovery Public Affairs Staffing Mass Care Align with Government Community Partnerships Service to the Armed Forces Slide 37 of 45

Managing a DSC Response Know you are not alone! Get operations up and running You will be responsible for: o Staffing o Supervising o Assigning Disaster Spiritual Care responders to work sites on the operation. Slide 38 of 45

Transportation and Mass Casualty Incidents What are some of the factors that would make a transportation incident or a mass casualty incident different than a natural disaster? Slide 39 of 45

Activity – DSC on a DRO Your turn to work through a scenario! All disasters are unique. These scenarios are based on actual responses but some details have been changed to make them more generic. Each situation will have unique challenges and responses. Work with your group to review your scenario and answer your assigned questions. Be prepared to share your answers with the class. Slide 40 of 45

Unit 5: Conclusion Summarize the course. Review next steps. Slide 41 of 45

Summary In Disaster Spiritual Care, you are responsible for: Assessing client needs Addressing client needs Managing your own self-care and that of other DSC workers Working with community partners The role of DSC on a local level and on a national DRO response It is our job to be impartial and neutral and to adhere to our standard of confidentiality. Slide 42 of 45

Did We Meet Our Objectives? Recall the history of disaster spiritual care. Describe the roles in DSC and the requirements of a DSC worker. Explain the types of disasters and appropriate and respectful disaster spiritual care interventions. Describe the process of assessing clients in a disaster situation. Utilize methods to provide self-care and care for the care giver. Identify the role of DSC on a local level and working with community partners. Understand the role of DSC on Disaster Relief Operations. Describe appropriate ways to provide disaster spiritual care on a local and national disaster operation. Slide 43 of 45

Next Steps  Take Psychological First Aid if you haven’t already.  Take other required courses.  Take recommended courses, if available.  Be flexible and willing to learn about other key roles across the American Red Cross.  Get involved – get to know the other responders and leadership at your local Red Cross chapter. Slide 44 of 45

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