Save the date for the
6th Annual IDMH Conference
Friday April 17, 2009

In the Wake of Disaster:
Effective Mental Health Interventions

This conference will promote disaster preparedness and planning to support those health and mental health providers, emergency management personnel, spiritual care providers, first responders and community responders who will be providing assistance to survivors and their families during the early aftermath of disasters. A growing body of evidence indicates that delivering appropriate mental health interventions such as psychological first aid and psychoeducation in the immediate aftermath of disasters can help to prevent serious sequelae in those impacted. Additionally, effective screening methods can help responders direct limited longer-term mental health resources to those who need them most.

Morning keynote speakers will highlight recent evidence-based approaches to the assessment and treatment of disaster survivors and their families. Afternoon workshops will provide more in-depth information and training on these interventions as well as additional options such as self-care for helpers, spiritual care, and assisting first responders, bereaved children, people with substance abuse issues, and more. A lunchtime panel will discuss issues of cooperation and coordination among New York State agencies involved in disaster mental health response efforts.

» Registration information*
» Participant biographies
» Workshop descriptions
» Conference Brochure *
» Conference Materials and Resources

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

8:30 - 9:00
Breakfast and registration

9:00 - 9:15
Welcome – Steven Poskanzer, President, SUNY New Paltz
Introductory Remarks – James Halpern, Ph.D., Director, IDMH

9:15 - 10:30
Keynote – Principles and Research on Early Intervention and the Screen and Treat Approach
Chris Brewin, Ph.D., Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College, London

10:30 - 11:00
Coffee break

11:00 - 12:15
Expert Panel – Innovations in Early Intervention

• Assisting Survivors Via Technology: Gerald McCleery, Ph.D., Associate Executive Director, Mental Health Association of New York City
• Assisting Children: Paula Madrid, Psy.D., Director, Psychosocial Preparedness Division, National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University
• Multicultural Perspectives: Monica J. Indart, Psy.D., BCETS, Emergency Response Coordinator, NJ Division of Mental Health Services, Disaster and Terrorism Branch

12:15 - 1:45
Lunch break with optional working lunch:
Emergency Officials Discuss a Coordinated Response to Disaster

• New York Department of Health: Robert L. Burhans, Director of Health Emergency Preparedness
• New York State Emergency Management Office: John R. Gibb, Director
• New York Office of Mental Health: Representative to be named
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Terri H. Spear, Ed.M., Emergency Coordinator
• American Red Cross: Elliott Hill, Senior Associate for Disaster Mental Health

Moderator: Alan S. Chartock, Ph.D., President, WAMC Northeast Public Radio

Afternoon Workshops
Participants may either attend two standard 1¼-hour-long workshops, or one extended 3-hour-long workshop.

2:00 - 3:15
Standard Concurrent Professional Workshops, Session I

3:15 - 3:45
Coffee Break

3:45 - 5:00
Standard Concurrent Professional Workshops, Session II

Standard Workshop Topics (repeated in each session period):

• Psychological First Aid with Children: Paula Madrid, Psy.D., Director, Psychosocial Preparedness Division, National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia University
• The Impact of Trauma on the Relationships of First Responders: Dianne Kane, DSW, Assistant Director of the Counseling Services Unit of the FDNY, & Paul Greene, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Iona College
• Counseling Bereaved Children and Adolescents: Kathleen (KatySue) Tillman, M.A., Lecturer, Department of Psychology, SUNY New Paltz, & Jeannie Straussman, L.C.S.W., Consultant, NYS Office of Mental Health
• Wellness in Chaos: Self-Care Skills for the Disaster Responder: Mary Tramontin, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist at the Traumatic Stress Studies Program/PTSD Clinic, James J. Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center, & Meredith Johnson, Graduate Student, SUNY New Paltz
• Substance Abuse Issues in Disaster Recovery:  Richard E. Isralowitz, Professor and Director, Israel Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Resources Center, Ben Gurion University
• Cross-Cultural Issues in Disaster Response and Recovery: Monica J. Indart, Psy.D., BCETS, Emergency Response Coordinator, NJ Division of Mental Health Services, Disaster and Terrorism Branch
• Best Practices and Challenges in Disaster Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care: Peter B. Gudaitis, M.Div., Executive Director & CEO, New York Disaster Interfaith Services; Ali Gheith, MS, MPH, Resiliency Coordinator, Office of Mental Health Disaster Preparedness and Response, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene; & Rabbi Stephen B. Roberts, BCJC, MBA, Associate Executive Vice President, New York Board Of Rabbis

OR

2:00 - 5:00
Extended Professional Workshops

I. American Red Cross Psychological First Aid
Michael S. Cronin, Ph.D., LCSW, Assistant Professor of Social Work, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and Disaster Mental Health Leader & Volunteer Partner for International Mental Health, American Red Cross in Greater New York
This course teaches participants to provide basic care, comfort, and support to people who are experiencing disaster-related stress by providing a framework for understanding factors that affect the stress responses of disaster relief workers and the clients they serve. In addition, it provides practical suggestions about what you can say and what you can do as you practice the principles of Psychological First Aid.

II. Developing a Screen and Treat Plan, for Disaster Mental Health Leaders
Chris R. Brewin, Ph.D., Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College, London
Please note that this session is intended for leaders of governmental and non-governmental agencies who are likely to be directly involved in the mental health response to disasters, and who would like to learn how to organize and train an outreach team to implement the Screen and Treat approach. Registration in this session will be limited and will require the approval of the conference organizers.

5:00 - 6:00
Networking and tabling, including an information and recruitment area for those interested in being part of the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health volunteer team.

CONFERENCE DIRECTOR

James Halpern, Ph.D.
IDMH Director and Professor of Psychology at SUNY New Paltz, Dr. Halpern is Chair of Disaster Mental Health Services for the Ulster County Chapter of the American Red Cross and has responded to both local and large-scale national disasters. He is co-author of the textbook Disaster Mental Health: Theory and Practice.

CONFERENCE COORDINATORS

Phyllis R.Freeman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology at SUNY New Paltz. Dr. Freeman is the founding Chair of the IDMH Advisory Board and a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health in the School of Public Health at New York Medical College.

Karla Vermeulen, MA
Ms. Vermeulen is the Coordinator of the IDMH and a Lecturer in the Psychology Department at SUNY New Paltz.

SPECIAL THANKS
to our Conference and Institute Sponsors:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for a Knowledge Dissemination Conference Grant
• The New York State Office of Mental Health
• The New York State Department of Health
• Campus Auxiliary Services at SUNY New Paltz
• SUNY New Paltz College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• SUNY New Paltz Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach
• Wal-Mart Foundation

Grant support of this conference does not imply endorsement by SAMHSA/ CMHS or by the Federal Government, of any conference activities or oral or written information presented at, or resulting from the conference.

LOCAL LODGING

A special conference rate is offered at
Minnewaska Lodge, 845-255-1110

Other lodging is available at:
Econo Lodge, 845-244-6200
Lefevre House B&B, 845-255-4747
Mohonk Mountain House, 845-255-1000
Rodeway Inn & Suites, 845-883-7373
Super 8 Lodging, 845-255-8865

For other lodging suggestions
www.newpaltzchamber.org

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING INFORMATION
www.newpaltz.edu/visitorsguide

IDMH OFFICE
(845) 257-3477
idmh@newpaltz.edu