Executive Director National Public Safety Solutions, Inc. Billerica, Massachusetts, United States
All Mental Health professionals know that to provide effective interventions for clients frequently requires us to understand the cultural setting in which the client resides. This is also true for working with First Responders. For the purposes of this training, First Responders are identified as those individuals who work as: Dispatchers, Law Enforcement Officers, Correctional Officers, Firefighters, Forensic Personnel or Emergency Medical personnel. There are some issues/stressors that cut across all of these professions, but also some that are more unique to the specific group. This course identifies what are the cultures of each profession and their unique stressors. While the various CISM courses teach a variety of group approaches to crisis intervention, but what about the follow up if an individual comes to us for help? First Responders can have a variety of life issues including marital problems, family issues and substance abuse struggles. We cannot be as helpful as possible if we do not understand the unique stress of their professions and how those might impact their non- professional lives. Within this context, this class will provide information and opportunities for discussion will be provided to assist in adapting our normal clinical approach to meet the potential needs of these individuals.
*Profession Specific CEs:
This presentation is approved for 7 CE Credits by The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency, Inc. (AACMHA) as an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
This presentation is approved for 7 PDH from EAPA- Employee Assistance Professionals Association.
7 CE Credits for NAADAC, This course has been approved by International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider # 87914, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), is responsible for all aspects of the programing.
*Review ICISF World Congress 17 CE website page for additional requirements.
Learning Objectives:
1. Upon completion, participant will gain an understanding of First Responder cultures
2. Gain an understanding of the “functional dysfunctionalities” that work for First Responders on the job
3. To understand the importance of the “resistance, resilience, recovery” continuum
4. Gain and understanding of the unique stressors in First Responder Professions
5. Gain and understanding of intervention skills and resources that are relevant to First Responders
