Emergency Preparedness Response

• BIOTERRORISM MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TRAINING LIVING IN A MORE ANXIOUS WORLD SINCE 9/11: Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Culturally Diverse Populations in Health Care & Other Settings Saturday, November 1, 2003 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, University of San Diego Two years after September 11, 2001, the American public is still impacted emotionally by the threat of another terrorist attack in this country. The populations we serve in community health centers are impacted more acutely since a high percentage are immigrants or refugees who bring memories of war and terrorism in their home countries. Funding for this conference has been generously provided by The California Endowment.
  
  Objectives:
  
  • To prepare mental health providers (psychiatrists, psychologists, LCSWs, MFTs, and nurses) and primary health care providers in community health centers and medical groups to meet the mental health needs of their patients before, during, and after an event of terrorism or other disaster.
  • Be able to identify differences in behavioral responses across ethnically diverse populations.
  • Learn strategies for caring for the “worried well.”
    Understand the local response plan for terrorist and natural disasters, including the mental health component.
  • Understand the long-term social and psychological impact of traumatic experiences.
  • Learn the factors that contribute to an individual’s ability to cope.

  This course is offered at NO COST to participants. To view the complete course agenda with speakers’ summaries and CEU details,open the brochure,Living in a More Anxious World. To register, call the Council of Community Clinics, (619) 542-4350.

• BIOTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS TRAINING: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CLINIC & MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDERS: The first-ever conference on bioterrorism preparedness training for community health center and private practice clinicians in San Diego was held on January 11, 2003. “Bioterrorism Preparedness Training: Important Information for Clinic and Medical Group Providers” was sponsored by the Council of Community Clinics and the San Diego County Medical Society. UCSD Division of Extended Studies and Programs provided course coordination assistance. More than 250 clinicians attended, including providers from San Diego and Imperial Counties, as well as 40 from Baja California, Mexico. Simultaneous English/Spanish translation was provided. Keynote speakers included Commander Pietro “Pete” Marghella, Medical Service Corps, U.S. Navy Chief of Medical Plans and Operations, The Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon.  The physician who diagnosed the first case of anthrax in the country on October 2, 2001, spoke in the afternoon. Larry M. Bush, M.D., an Infectious Disease Physician from Atlantis Medical Center, Palm Beach, Florida, described how the diagnosis of inhaled anthrax exposure was made and the steps taken to protect health workers and the community. 

• COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER PHYSICIANS, MID-LEVEL PRACTITIONERS AND NURSES ARE BEING TRAINED: On March 6, 2003, one physician and one mid-level practitioner or nurse from Council of Community Clinics member health centers were trained to become their clinic’s local expert on bioterrorism preparedness. The purpose of the training was to provide a turnkey curriculum that will be used to train other physicians, mid-level practitioners and nurses at their respective sites about early detection and response.

• COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING: The Council of Community Clinics is conducting a series of six 4-hour classes throughout San Diego County to train 120 community health workers and neighborhood leaders about how they to prepare one’s home, family and community for a potential bioterrorism emergency. Topics covered include how to recognize biological hazards and symptoms; how to develop a family emergency plan; and what to do in a biological event or other emergency. These trainers will each train 50-100 additional community members at clinics, schools, apartment buildings, and other locations. 

• COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY CLINICS' BIOTERRORISM PLANNING & PROJECT OVERVIEW DIAGRAM

• REFERENCES FOR BIOTERRORISM PLANNING & PREPAREDNESS FOR CLINICS: This file contains a comprehensive list of references including web sites and presentations on training and education, supplies and equipment, community education and the uninsured, mental health aspects of bioterrorism. It is updated periodically.

<< Return To Main Downloads Page