About OPA
Join OPA
Psychology News
Advocacy
Science/Research
Events
Media Room
Ad Rates/Mail List
Job Postings, Etc.
Contact OPA
Site Map
    |
| Hurricane Katrina Disaster Response |
APA is working with its partner, the American Red Cross, to support relief efforts.
APA's Disaster Response Network has been contacting its trained disaster mental health volunteers to encourage them to work through their local Red Cross chapters to be mobilized. These volunteers will offer assistance to displaced residents and Red Cross employees at shelters and various assistance centers. In addition, we are helping the Red Cross to recruit disaster mental health volunteers to field calls from concerned citizens at its 24 hours/ 7 days a week national call center located in northern Virginia. The Red Cross is operating volunteer staging areas outside the affected regions that will enable them to quickly direct volunteers to the areas of greatest need. Some of the volunteers' duties may include helping shelter residents adjust and manage their temporary living environment; serving as a conduit for information about where to seek assistance; accompanying and supporting family members as they ultimately return to their neighborhoods; helping residents to problem-solve and make a recovery plan; and acting as a liaison with local mental health professionals.
Because of the magnitude of this disaster, ARC has informed APA that it will be accepting applications from practitioners even if they have not taken its disaster mental health training. Licensed psychologists who are interested in volunteering are encouraged to apply. An online application has been posted at www.APAPractice.org that they can fill out and fax to the American Red Cross to volunteer. Those accepted as volunteers - and that includes only those in good health who are willing to volunteer for at least two weeks - will be assigned as necessary by the American Red Cross. Many assignments will be to areas of hardship conditions (lack of power, plumbing/water, minimal housing, etc). Also, based on current assessments, relief operations will be on-going for several months. Accordingly, ARC plans to send out volunteers in waves/shifts. There will be a considerable time frame over which you can volunteer and/or be recruited. Because of the likely on-going need for assistance, not all volunteers will mobilized within the first two weeks.
Psychologists who are interested in volunteering but cannot travel or make the two-week field commitment are encouraged to help out with office support at their local Red Cross chapters or other local disaster relief agency. Staff members from these offices are likely to be recruited to the relief operations and regular office operations will likely need a hand. I also understand that local Red Cross chapters plan to organize fund raising initiatives and may need help with these endeavors. There are many ways for creative volunteers to offer help now in their own communities.
APA has posted news about its involvement in hurricane relief efforts on the www.apapractice.org and www.apa.org websites. In addition, APA has posted a new fact sheet entitled "Managing Traumatic Stress: After Hurricane Katrina" on the front page of its online consumer help center, www.APAHelpCenter.org.
Resources
- Support the Hurricane Health Relief Bill
- Applications to Volunteer for Hurricane Relief Operations (through the American Red Cross and APA Practice Organization)
- Resources for Therapists and Counselors Working with Survivors of Katrina and their Families
- List of Agencies accepting donations for Hurricane Katrina victims
- APA Hurricane Katrina Relief Activities September 12, 2005 - Message from Dr. Norman Anderson
- American Red Cross Disaster Operations Center Hurricane Katrina Report #15 - 9/1/05
- Donate to Hurricane Katrina victims through the Foundation for Psychology in Ohio (proceeds to benefit the American Red Cross)
Disaster Response - Who can volunteer?
1) ARC is continuing to recruit its trained and Disaster Services Human Resources enrolled Disaster Mental Health volunteers. This includes many DRN members. These volunteers are asked to report to your local chapter for assignment. Your chapter will do the paperwork to get you out in the field. (Please bear with your chapter as it is processing a large volume of volunteers.) According to national headquarters, working through your chapter continues to be the best strategy to be mobilized.
2) As of yesterday, ARC is preparing to put into place through its partnership with APA and other professional associations a way for non-disaster trained licensed (for independent practice) mental health professional to volunteer. There will be an application process which will include several forms and a screening process. These applications will be processed by the Red Cross national headquarters.
Other details
1) The American Red Cross is seeking its DMH volunteers who can commit to a minimum of 2 weeks on operation.
2) Most assignments will be in areas of hardship conditions (lack of power, plumbing/water, minimal housing, etc). There is a possibility of assignment to the Call Center in northern Virginia which would not be hardship conditions.
3) Based on current assessments, relief operations will be on-going for several months. Accordingly, ARC plans to send out volunteers in waves/shifts. There will be a considerable time frame over which you can volunteer and/or be recruited. Not everyone will be assigned in the first two weeks. Ongoing assistance will be needed.
4) ARC plans to use all its volunteers. Individuals committed to volunteering who meet specified criteria re licensure, health, other screening issues, and are available for a minimum of 2 weeks - will be involved in some capacity with relief operations. Please know that there can be time lags and delays in getting individuals processed and on location. This is an almost certainty.
5) Help your local Red Cross chapter. Volunteers who are not being mobilized are encouraged to support their chapters in the coming weeks. ARC chapter staff are likely to be recruited to the relief operations and regular chapter operations will likely need a hand. Volunteers to help them process volunteers would probably be appreciated. I also understand that local chapters may be holding fund raisers. There will be many ways for creative volunteers to help in their own communities.