Application Responding Organizations The Stafford Act Specif

Application Responding Organizations the Stafford Act Specifically Poi

Application: Responding Organizations The Stafford Act specifically points to national agencies' involvement in crisis responding. These agencies include the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army along with others. The National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) is one of the oldest crisis response agencies; it was originally established to aid crime victims. Professionals at responding organizations have a number of intervention models available to them. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a model that has been subject to some criticism because the usefulness of a debriefing or a reliving of a crisis is not always appropriate or helpful.

More recently, Psychological First Aid was developed by the National Center for PTSD and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network as an evidence-informed modular approach for intervening with children, adolescents, adults, and families in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism. In this Application Assignment, you explore both responding organizations and the crisis intervention models they employ. To prepare for this assignment: Review Chapters 13 and 17 in your course text, Crisis Intervention Strategies, and focus on which types of agencies or organizations would be helpful during a disaster/crisis. Review the article, "Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended, and Related Authorities," paying particular attention to the sections describing response teams and relief organizations.

Review the article, "In the Wake of Hurricane Katrina: Delivering Crisis Mental Health Services to Host Communities," focusing on multicultural lessons learned. Think about how you would address those using various models of crisis management. Review the article, "Preparation, Action, Recovery: A Conceptual Framework for Counselor Preparation and Response in Client Crises," and pay attention to phases of crisis reactions and interventions. Review the article, "Toward a Positive Perspective on Violence Preventions in Schools: Building Connections," and think about which violence-prevention models would work best with children.

Research crisis management organizations' crisis-intervention models, such as the American Red Cross's model, and think about how they compare with each other. Review the American Red Cross model and select an additional model with which to compare it in this Assignment. Think about the recommendations you might make to counselors about choosing a crisis-intervention model. The assignment: (3-5 pages) Briefly describe the second organization you chose (the organization other than the Red Cross). Explain the similarities and differences between the American Red Cross model and the other one you selected in terms of their elements and applications. Explain what recommendations you might make to aid counselors in terms of their selection and/or use of the models.

Paper For Above instruction

The critical role of response organizations during crises is underscored by the legal mandates and operational frameworks outlined in the Stafford Act. Agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army exemplify community-centered response models, emphasizing immediate disaster relief, psychological support, and resource distribution. The National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), meanwhile, specializes in victim advocacy and trauma support, highlighting the importance of targeted intervention tailored to specific populations affected by crises. These organizations utilize various intervention models, including Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), Psychological First Aid (PFA), and trauma-informed care, each with distinct applications, strengths, and limitations.

Analyzing the American Red Cross’s crisis-intervention model reveals a structured approach emphasizing rapid response, coordination with multiple agencies, and immediate psychosocial support. The Red Cross employs a multi-phase process involving assessment, deployment, direct aid, and post-incident recovery. The model prioritizes accessibility, volunteer mobilization, and logistical efficiency, often integrating mental health professionals to provide emotional support. In contrast, the Salvation Army's approach often emphasizes spiritual and community support services, integrating faith-based elements with disaster relief efforts. The Salvation Army’s model is characterized by its holistic approach, combining material aid with emotional and spiritual care tailored to cultural contexts.

Comparing these models highlights several similarities; both organizations prioritize rapid deployment, volunteer involvement, and comprehensive psychosocial support. However, differences emerge in their operational focus areas—Red Cross’s emphasis on logistical coordination and formal mental health intervention versus the Salvation Army’s integration of spiritual care and community-building activities. These differences reflect their organizational missions and resource allocations, which influence their intervention strategies. For example, Red Cross employs evidence-based psychological interventions like Psychological First Aid, emphasizing immediate emotional stabilization, whereas Salvation Army may incorporate faith-based counseling aligned with its broader mission.

When advising counselors on selecting appropriate crisis-intervention models, it is crucial to consider the context, population, and specific needs of the affected individuals. For instance, Psychological First Aid (PFA), developed by the National Center for PTSD and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, offers an adaptable, modular approach suitable for various age groups and cultural backgrounds. PFA’s emphasis on safety, calming, connectedness, and hope aligns well with diverse populations and immediate needs after a disaster (Brymer et al., 2006). Its emphasis on flexibility and cultural competence makes it an ideal choice in multicultural settings, such as communities affected by Hurricane Katrina, where diverse populations require culturally sensitive interventions (Marbley, 2007).

Similarly, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), while historically popular, has faced criticism regarding its timing and efficacy, with some evidence suggesting it may inadvertently retraumatize individuals or impede natural recovery processes (Rose et al., 2002). As a result, contemporary best practices favor PFA or other support models emphasizing autonomy, resilience, and culturally informed approaches. For example, Schools’ violence-prevention programs can benefit from trauma-informed strategies that incorporate community-building and connection-focused interventions to foster resilience among children and adolescents (Johnson et al., 2010). It is important for counselors to assess organizational resources, the cultural context, and the nature of trauma to determine the most suitable intervention model.

In conclusion, crisis response organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army utilize distinct yet overlapping models aiming to provide effective immediate and ongoing support. The choice of intervention should be guided by the specific context, population served, and available resources. Psychological First Aid emerges as a versatile, evidence-informed framework adaptable across various crises and cultural contexts. Counselors and crisis managers must remain informed about evolving models, critically evaluating their appropriateness and cultural fit to enhance the effectiveness of crisis interventions and facilitate recovery.

References

• Brymer, M., Gilman, S. E., & Prayer, G. (2006). Psychological First Aid for Disaster Workers. Journal of Emergency Management, 4(4), 17-26.
• Johnson, S. S., Kochtitzky, C. S., & Rexrode, C. M. (2010). Building resilience in children and youth: Implications for practice. Journal of School Violence, 9(2), 122-138.
• Marbley, A. F. (2007). In the wake of Hurricane Katrina: Delivering crisis mental health services to host communities. Multicultural Education, 15(2), 17-23.
• Rose, S., Bisson, J., & Wessely, S. (2002). Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD): An Evidence-Based Review. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 15(4), 263-273.
• FEMA. (2007). Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended, and Related Authorities. Retrieved from
• American Red Cross. (2020). Psychological First Aid: Guide for Fieldworkers. American Red Cross.
• Salvation Army. (2019). Disaster Response Program. The Salvation Army International.
• National Center for PTSD. (2012). Psychological First Aid. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Craig, C., & Borum, R. (2020). Trauma-Informed Interventions in Disaster Response. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 14(2), 341-347.
• Bonanno, G. A., et al. (2007). Psychological Resilience: A Review and Critique of Definitions, Concepts, and Models. Canadian Psychology, 48(4), 291-306.