Volunteer Opportunities

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide Disaster Mental Health interventions to clients impacted by a disaster.
2. Participate in relevant meetings and activities as a member of the Disaster Mental Health chapter team.
3. Participate in preparedness efforts, such as the Home Fire Campaign or community disaster education.
4. Help facilitate long-term recovery for clients impacted by disaster.
5. Assist the chapter in developing partnerships with local mental health agencies.
6. Support other disaster responders before, during and after disaster response using staff mental health strategies.

Qualifications

Willingness to comply with Red Cross COVID-19 policies for in-person volunteer activities.

CURRENT DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 2017

 A. CURRENTLY LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS:

• At minimum, holds a master’s degree in one of the mental health professions listed below; and
• Holds a current, unencumbered license from, or is registered with, any U.S. state or territory as a social worker, psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or psychiatrist (any level license/registration, including non-clinical licenses such as Licensed Masters Social Worker or LMSW)

 B. CURRENT SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS:

• At minimum, holds a master’s degree in school psychology or school counseling; and
• Holds a current, unexpired license or certification as a school psychologist or school counselor issued by a state board of education.

C. CURRENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSES:

• Have a state license as a registered nurse; and
• Have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a psychiatric setting, verified by a letter from a current or previous employer.

 D. RETIRED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS:

• Meet the above educational criteria for specified profession; and
• Held a license (any level license) from any U.S. state or territory as a social worker, psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychiatric nurse or psychiatrist, or a certificate as a school psychologist or school counselor, within the 5 years* prior to on-boarding as a Disaster Mental Health worker; and
• Maintained a license or certification in good standing upon retirement and without any disciplinary action taken by the issuing U.S. state or territory licensing or certification board.

* If a prospective Disaster Mental Health volunteer has been retired for more than 5 years, the corresponding Disaster Mental Health Division Advisor should be consulted. See the Disaster Mental Health and Disaster Health Services Advisor Program Roster for a list of advisors and their contact information.

EXCEPTION: An individual enrolled in the Disaster Mental Health program prior to May 2010 who does not meet these eligibility criteria can continue to work in the Disaster Mental Health activity given good standing with his/her chapter and a positive performance history while working on local and/or national relief operations.

Training

Required:

• Disaster Cycle Services: An Overview
• Disaster Mental Health: Introduction
• Disaster Mental Health: Fundamentals Part 1
• Disaster Mental Health: Fundamentals Part 2 - only required for volunteers who joined DMH after January 2017

Recommended:

• RC Care Individual Disaster Care trainings
• Client Care Program: Document Review for Intake Workers