Office of Disaster Readiness
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The Office of Disaster Readiness (ODR) conducts planning and development activities to support a coordinated mental health response for Missourians in disaster situations.
To strengthen the Department’s capacity to respond to the mental health needs of Missouri citizens the Office of Disaster Readiness coordinates efforts with numerous state agencies including, Homeland Security, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Funding for ODR is currently through a partnership with the DHSS using Federal Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) funding to provide the behavioral health components needed in comprehensive planning. The Office of Disaster Readiness also develops and administers the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program grant when there is a federal declaration in Missouri.
The Office offers preparedness training in psychological first aid to health and mental health care providers, school personnel, community-based volunteer organizations, emergency responders, law enforcement personnel, mental health consumers, and the faith-based community. It also develops informational fact sheets about the emotional impact of disasters on different populations and common reactions to disaster.
The Office of Disaster Readiness is involved in ongoing initiatives such as developing and updating the Special Needs Annex of SEMA’s State Emergency Operations Plan, and Pandemic Flu planning.
For more information call: (573) 751-4730 or email: jenny.wiley@dmh.mo.gov
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the impact of a disaster in your area and need immediate crisis assistance, the following web address will link you to the phone number of your county: http://www.dmh.mo.gov/cps/ACImap.htm
H1N1 VIRUS aka SWINE FLU
Governor Jay Nixon has announced that Missouri health officials are taking steps to deal with the H1N1 Influenza virus hat has prompted federal officials to declare a nationwide health emergency. The Department of Health and Senior Services is the lead agency in coordinating the state preparation for H1N1 influenza cases.
It is natural to feel concern about the news reports regarding H1N1 flu. There is very good information available through the Centers for Disease Control and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services regarding symptoms and updates. The web links to these sites follow: www.cdc.gov/H1N1 and www.dhss.mo.gov . So far the virus has been limited and mild. For general information about the flu: www.FightTheFluMO.com.
FLU PREVENTION
The first thing that we can do is to take prevenentive measures to protect ourselves and other from the flu:
- Get your flu shot for seasonsal flu! Check with your Local Public health Agency to find out when the flu shot will be available in your area. The vaccine for H1N1 is expected to be available by October, 2009.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoiding close contact with sick people.
- Stay home from work or school if you are sick and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- If you do have symptoms of the flu, call your Doctor.
Remember to take care of yourself by:
- Eating healthy foods
- Getting enough sleep
- Listening for accurate information through the CDC or the Missouri Department of Health, but limiting the amount of your media and internet exposure, especially if you tend to worry.
- Staying in touch with your social network through email and phone calls and personal visits if you have not been exposed
- Remember that situations can impact our emotions, physical reactions, behaviors, and even our spiritual lives.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Centers for Disease Control are working hard to follow and contain the H1N1 flu here in the United States. Governor Nixon said in his news release that “Missourians should know that people, plans and protections are in place to do everything possible to prevent the spread of swine flu in our state”.
H1N1 INFLUENZA TOOLKIT
Fact Sheet—Talking to Children About H1N1 Flu
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Resources for Parents and Caregivers
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents/
Advice for Parents on Talking to Children About Novel H1N1 Flu (Formerly Swine Flu) Concerns http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/talkingtokids.htm
Strategies To Assist Parents Manage Children's Worries Over The H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152989.php
Stress Management Guide for H1N1
Caring for Yourself and Your Co-Workers
H1N1 Stress Management Guide for H1N1 (Spanish)
SUMMER FLOODING 2008
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the impact of the floods and need immediate crisis assistance, call the LifeRAFT(Rebuilding After Flood Times) Crisis Line: 1-866-384-1254
PLANS AND COMPETENCIES
Knowledge and skills for Mental Health Professionals, Health-Care Professionals, and Para-professionals responding to disasters.
All Hazards Emergency Operations Plan
All-Hazards Facility Planning Guide
Disaster Mental Health Competencies 
Hospital Preparedness Plans 2009
Pandemic Influenza Plan – Mental Health Appendix
Pandemic Continuity Work Aids
2009
Pandemic Continuity Work Aids 2009--Word Version
COMMUNICATIONS
Communications of accurate information for the public in times of disaster is critical in helping a community heal and recover. The Office of Disaster Readiness, in partnership with the Department of Health and Senior Services, developed the Disaster Communications Guidebook with mental health talking points to be used with various audiences during a disaster.Disaster Communications Guidebook:Promoting Emotional Well-Being When Preparing for Disasters (Please note: The finished size of this booklet is 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches and was prepared in booklet format. For easer access to its contents, we suggest that you print out the booklet and use it in a hard-copy form.)
Disaster Communications Guidebook: Response and Recovery Planning for Public Leaders and Spokespersons/Includes Pandemic Flu Section
Pandemic Communications Guidebook: Response and Recovery Planning for Public Leaders and Spokespersons
FACT SHEETS
Coping with Disaster Fact Sheets
30 Tips for Emergency Preparedness
Coping Facts for College Students
Guidelines
to Help Students, Parents and Educators Respond & Cope
Farm Stress Coping Tips with Winter Storm
Flood Disaster Cleanup Fact Sheets from the University of Missouri Extension Service
Phases of Traumatic Stress Reactions in a Disaster
Tips for Managing and Preventing Stress for Emergency Responders and Public Safety Workers
2009 Newsletter ADVANCE NOTICE
2008 Newsletter
ADVANCE NOTICE
RESOURCES
FLOOD
The Community Emergency Management Program (CEMP) provides below a listing on flooding issues. Additionally, EDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network) has updated their flood issues page, access that here:
If you have Weathered the Floods, this information may help you
Coping with Traumatic Events http://www.samhsa.gov/trauma/index.aspx
Emergency Management and Medical Websites
Emergency Management Program Topics
Emergency Preparedness & Response
FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Grant Application
Georgia Disaster Mental Health Site
MU Extension Community Emergency Management
Public Assistance Information on State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) website
Public Health Guide for Emergency Shelters in Missouri
HIGHER EDUCATION
Behavioral Health Planning (PowerPoint)
Civil Detention Campus Security (PowerPoint)
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Booklist for Children Affected by Hurricane Katrina
Center for Disaster and Extreme Event Preparedness (DEEP Center)
University of Miami
CIDRAP Promising Practices For Pandemic Planning
Disaster Planning for Developmentally Disabled
Disaster/Terrorism Mental Health and Stress Related Links
Federal Resource Collection on Disaster Behavioral Health
National Organization on Disabilities
Pandemic Flu Behavioral Health
Psychological First Aid--Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition)
Terrorism and Disaster Center: Disaster Mental Health Research
Understanding Mental Illness - After the Virginia Tech Tragedy
NETWORK OF CARE
Network of Care for Mental Health is an online information place for individuals, families and agencies concerned with mental and emotional wellness, substance abuse and developmental disabilities. This website makes critical information, communication and advocacy tools available at the click of a button. It ensures there is "No Wrong Door" for those currently using behavioral health services, those working to avoid the need for services, and those ready to transition out of the behavioral health system. Regardless of where you begin your search for assistance with behavioral health issues, Network of Care ensues you will find what you need. This Web site can greatly assist in our efforts to protect our greatest human asset - our beautiful minds. Personal Folder
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Network
of Care for Mental Health
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Faith-Based Organization Disaster Initiative Regional Conferences
Psychological First Aid--Train the Trainer (January 26-27, 2010)
Contact: julie.grotemeyer@ewgateway.org
Training available through SAMHSA http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/samhsadr/
WORKSHOP POWERPOINTS
The Psychological Impact of Trauma on Responders (Microsoft Powerpoint document)
Children in Disasters (Microsoft Powerpoint document)
Responding to Children with Special Considerations(Microsoft Powerpoint document)
