Red Cross classes provide essential information for times of emergency. If you or someone you know is a person with developmental disabilities, mobility problems or mental illness, you should contact your local emergency management agency and tell them you want to give them important information to aid them in assisting you in a disaster or emergency. You will be advised of the various opportunities to serve. In addition, you should call your local Red Cross chapter. They will help you determine the best volunteer opportunity for you.
Training is required.
For mental health service in a Red Cross shelter , a professional license as a social worker, psychologist, or counselor is required. When restricted within the state of Missouri, some exceptions apply. After a Presidential disaster declaration, FEMA releases funds so that the Department of Mental Health can establish crisis counseling programs to provide short term intervention with individuals, groups, and communities experiencing psychological reactions to large scale disasters. The program is established to reach people responding normally to a very abnormal and traumatic experience. The goal of crisis counseling is to assist in coping with the psychological aftermath of the disaster, to mitigate additional stress, and to facilitate understanding and effective coping strategies which an individual may need to call upon in the future.