ADA National Network Learning Session: Disaster Behavioral Health and People With Access and Functional Needs: Resources from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Date/Time: Thursday, August 11, 2016 from 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET

Location: Webinar

Description: These 90 minute webinars are delivered by the Pacific ADA Center using the Blackboard Collaborate webinar platform. All sessions will be captioned, recorded and archived.

This program is delivered via both webinar platform and via telephone (additional charges may apply). Real-time captioning is available via the webinar platform.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities, including throughout all phases of the disaster cycle. When natural and human-caused disasters occur, including incidents of mass violence such as terrorism and shootings, survivors, loved ones of victims, and responders are all at risk for emotional distress or other mental health concerns. Persons with physical and mental health disabilities, the deaf and hard of hearing, those with visual impairments and many others have unique access and functional needs that must be addressed as a part of a 'whole community' approach to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, and this includes incorporating available and accessible behavioral health resources into emergency management operations. Today's session will provide an introduction to disaster behavioral health and overview of resources from SAMHSA that emergency managers, providers, and the public at large can utilize year-round, during and immediately following disaster events, and during long term recovery.

Learning objectives:

• Educate stakeholders on core principles of disaster behavioral health, including distress risk factors and warning signs inclusive of and unique to people with access and functional needs.

• Learn how SAMHSA's disaster behavioral health resources, including its Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series and Disaster Distress Helpline program, can provide support to stakeholders and the public at large throughout all phases of natural and human-caused disasters .

• Learn how disaster behavioral health is addressed in FEMA's Emergency Support Functions and National Disaster Recovery Framework.

• Become familiar with additional local/state resources in disaster behavioral health.

• Increase awareness of the importance of including disaster behavioral health resources into emergency management planning and other preparedness activities.

• Establish contacts for stakeholders with SAMHSA and its disaster behavioral health programs regarding ongoing outreach and communications for coordinating resources throughout all phases of the disaster cycle.