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Jul 07

American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Training for Community Partners and Event-Based Volunteers

Strengthen your ability to support community members during emergencies.

This training covers:

• What to expect in Red Cross shelters and disaster service settings
• How disaster mental health support differs from traditional mental health care
• Common emotional reactions after disasters
• Roles of Community Partners, Event-Based Volunteers, and Red Cross Disaster Mental Health staff
• Key skills to help you feel prepared in a disaster environment

Who should attend:
Behavioral health staff, MRC and health occupation students (HOSA).

CE's available for this course.

Contra Costa Health
2731 Systron Dr., Ste. 250, Denali Conference Room, Concord, CA 94518
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Tuesday, July 7, 2026
01:00pm - 02:30pm PT

COURSE AGENDA


• Introduction to Red Cross Disaster Operations

High‑level overview of the Red Cross mission, disaster response structure, and how mental health support fits into overall operations.


• Understanding Disaster Service Settings

What volunteers can expect in shelters and other service sites, including basic structure, roles, and expectations.


• Disaster Mental Health Essentials

Key differences between traditional mental health practice and disaster mental health; core approaches used in short‑term disaster support.


• Common Mental Health Needs After Disasters

Typical stress reactions and how volunteers can provide grounding, de‑escalation, and practical support.


• Roles of Community Partners & Event-Based Volunteers

Overview of responsibilities, collaboration with Red Cross staff, and when to escalate concerns or refer clients.


• Safety, Documentation & Reporting

When documentation is required, how to work within the chain of command, and basic safety considerations.


• Preparing for Deployment

What to bring, expectations around flexibility, and foundational self‑care practices.



• Scenario Practice & Discussion

Brief walkthrough of a shelter interaction and strategies for engagement.


Please contact us with any questions: medhealthcoalition@cchealth.org.