Knowing what sequence of crisis intervention processes to use for which individuals or groups, at what times, and under what circumstances is crucial to all effective early intervention programs. The course will present essential information for the assessment of both crisis situations and the effects of critical incidents on people involved in those situations. Participants will learn to create an effective plan of action to assist those in crisis. Strategic planning and tactical decision making are emphasized, as are rationales for choosing one set of crisis intervention processes over another. Participants will complete a series of exercises designed to sharpen their assessment and crisis planning skills. This course builds confidence that crisis interventionists will make the right choices of interventions for the populations they are assisting under specific circumstances.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define strategic planning as it applies to crisis intervention;

• Outline the elements of the National Incident Management System and relate those elements to crisis intervention;

• Describe a comprehensive, integrated, systematic and multi-component crisis intervention program;

• Participate actively in a planning process designed to assist the participants in assessing target populations and in determining the type, timing and resources necessary to assist large numbers of people involved in a crisis; and

• Choose from a list the most important crisis intervention tactics to apply in a simulated complicated or large scale crisis event.

(14 Contact Hours; 14 CE Credits for Psychologists; 14 PDHs for EAPs; 14 CE Hours for Calif. MFTs & LCSWs; 14 Contact Hours for National Certified Addiction Counselors; OR 1.4 general CEUs from UMBC; Profession specific CEUs pending approval for Nurses. Please call ICISF for more details)*

Day 1:(8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

• Crisis Intervention Strategy
• What is Strategic Planning?
• Elements of Effective Planning
• Steps in Developing the Plan
• Task Analysis

Day 2:(8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

• Planning Exercises
• Planning Models
• Application of Tactical Components
• Discussion/Guidance