100111: Developing Cultural Competence in Disaster Mental Health Programs

About the Course:

The primary purpose of this publication is to provide information vital to the establishment of culturally competent mental health services for survivors of natural and human-caused disasters. It is intended to help improve understanding and increase the ability of State, local, and community mental health service providers from administrators to staff personnel.

Author

Jean Athey, Ph.D. and Jean Moody-Williams, Ph.D.

About the Author:

Jean L. Athey is President of the Health Policy Resources Group, LLC. She previously served as Director, Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) at the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) where she was responsible for setting EMSC funding priorities, directing a national technical assistance program, managing the grant portfolio, and coordinating activities related to EMSC with other Federal agencies. Dr. Athey also directed MCHB’s injury and violence prevention program and served as Chief, public health social work.

Course Objectives:

1. to gain knowledge of how culture is defined and applied to disaster response

2. to become familiar with a set of principles established for guiding the development of effective culturally competent disaster services

3. to help clinicians and other disaster response personnel develop an effective set of skills in the area of cultural competence