Disaster Response Crisis Counseling refers to outreach and psycho-educational services that assist individuals and communities in recovering from natural and human-caused disasters. Short-term emotional support helps disaster survivors understand their current situation and reactions, mitigate stress, review their disaster recovery options, use or develop coping strategies, and link with others who may help in their recovery process.
A Disaster Response Crisis Counselor is a volunteer of the emergency response network and responds to communities after a disaster strikes. Counselors are trained in incident command, disaster behavioral health strategies, and crisis counseling among other topics.
The Department of Human Services plays a role in activating, organizing, and supporting crisis counseling efforts in Ocean County. The Department does this through the Ocean County Emergency Response Committee (ERC), a subcommittee of the County’s Mental Health Board. The ERC was established in the late 1980’s to coordinate responses to traumatic events that affect our community. Over fifty volunteer members from a variety of backgrounds participate. The ERC brings together volunteers and key stakeholders for response coordination, planning and preparedness exercises, and continuing education.
Accessing Disaster Response Crisis Counseling Services
Organizations located in and serving Ocean County can request disaster response crisis counseling assistance by calling the Department of Human Services at 732-506-5374 or Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services at 866-904-4474. A response is conducted only when requested and is never intended to interfere with the natural and existing support systems that are already in place.
Schools and child-serving organizations can contact the Traumatic Loss Coalition for Youth (TLC). The TLC and its trained responders specialize in providing support to children and youth affected by traumatic events such as suicide, homicide, and illness. Ocean County TLC is coordinated by Karen Bright, LPC, ACS at karen.bright@brightcounseling.org
NJ Disaster Mental Health Helpline provides public access to targeted mental health services in case of a natural or artificial disaster or terrorist attack. Individuals impacted by a disaster or traumatic event can call (877) 294-HELP (4357) for assistance.
Get Involved
Monthly ERC meetings are open to the public. Certified NJ Disaster Response Crisis Counselors and TLC responders are encouraged to attend. The meetings are held virtually on the third Wednesday of every other month at 11:00am. Please contact Human Services to be added to the e-mailing list for meeting notices and other important announcements.
The New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJDHS), Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Disaster and Terrorism Branch (DTB) developed a process to train and credential behavioral health responders. Anyone who is interested in serving as a disaster response crisis counselor is encouraged to obtain this DRCC credential. Counselors may have a clinical background but it is not required. Learn more https://njdrcc.org/about.php
Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care manages the TLC program statewide. Learn more about becoming a TLC responder https://ubhc.rutgers.edu/education/trauma-loss-coalition/overview.xml
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