This training was developed by the North Carolina Disaster Response Network and produced by the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Updated 10/22/2008
More information about the North Carolina
Disaster Response Network
To find answers to your questions about NC DRN, click on the questions below:
Who is the NC DRN?
How do I join the NC DRN and volunteer to assist with disaster relief efforts?
What training is required to be a volunteer?
How do I receive continuing education credit for the NC DRN training?
What are the fees for participating in the training?
What continuing education credit is each NC DRN member organization offering?
Who is the NC DRN?
The North Carolina Disaster Response Network is a network of professionals who are trained to respond to disasters. The NC DRN was created, in part, because of the growing recognition – by the public and by mental health professionals themselves – that mental health professionals can make significant contributions to the positive psychological recovery of disaster survivors and disaster workers. One of the missions of the NC DRN is to provide an organized way to recruit, train, liaison, and support mental health professionals in responding to disasters.
The North Carolina Disaster Response Network Task Force is comprised of the following professional associations including:
- American Red Cross (www.redcross.org/services/disaster/)
- Licensed Professional Counselors Association of NC (www.lpcanc.org)
- National Association of Social Workers, NC Chapter (www.naswnc.org)
- North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (www.ncamft.org)
- North Carolina Council of Community MH/DD/SA Programs (www.nc-council.org)
- North Carolina Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services (www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/)
- North Carolina Nurses Association (www.ncnurses.org)
- North Carolina Psychiatric Association (www.ncpsychiatry.org)
- North Carolina Psychological Association (www.ncpsychology.org)
The goal of the NC DRN is to assist in the disaster relief and recovery effort. Disasters can include events such as hurricanes, fires, industrial plant explosions and school violence. As the mental health consequences of disasters can be just as significant as the physical consequences, the need for mental health professionals to assist survivors can be great. The NC DRN recruits licensed mental health professionals, provides required training, and coordinates the deployment of volunteers. As disaster response is different than other types of mental health work, the NC DRN has developed this required training for disaster response.
Return to top of page
How do I join the NC DRN and volunteer to assist with disaster relief efforts?
The following types of mental health professionals are invited to complete an application for professional membership in the NC DRN:
- Certified Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Licensed Clinical Additions Specialists
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
- Licensed Professional Counselors
- Licensed Psychiatrists
- Licensed Psychological Associates
- Licensed Psychologists
To join the NC DRN, download, complete and mail the NC DRN application form. Click here to download the NC DRN application form or contact the NC DRN. The volunteer requirements and benefits are discussed in the online training.
Return to top of page
What training is required to be a volunteer?
In order to be a NC DRN volunteer you must complete one of the following trainings:
- NC DRN training (Parts 1 and 2) – the training described on these web pages
- American Red Cross training - Introduction to Disaster and Fundamentals Disaster Mental Health
- North Carolina Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services training – Behavioral Health Responding in Times of Disaster and Advanced Disaster Behavioral Health
For more information about these trainings, contact the NC DRN.
Return to top of page
How do I receive continuing education credit for the NC DRN training?
For North Carolina licensed mental health professional (see list above), continuing education credit can be earned for the full 6 hours of the training if the professional has completed both the on-line training and the 2-hour in-person skill-building training. The cost for the 2-hour training and the 6 hours of continuing education credit will be $60.00, payable at the time of registration in the workshop (training part 2). Each NC DRN participating member organization has indicated their support for this training (see statements at the bottom of this page). For additional information about the awarding of professional continuing education credits, contact the NC DRN.
For all others, continuing education credit can be requested after completing the quiz and evaluation which follows each module.
Return to top of page
What are the fees for participating in the NC DRN training?
For North Carolina licensed mental health professional (see list above), while there is no fee for participation in the online modules, the skill-building workshop and award of the 6 hours of continuing education credits has a fee of $60.00, which is due to the North Carolina Psychological Foundation prior to participation in the workshop. For additional information about the fees, contact the NC DRN.
For all others, free continuing education credit can be requested after completing the quiz and evaluation which follows each module.
Return to top of page
What continuing education credit is each NC DRN member organization offering to NC licensed professionals?
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW):
Licensed Clinical Social Workers who complete both the online and in person portions of this course will be awarded 6 contact hours.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT):
CEU certificates will be mailed after the completion of the on-line and in-person course. Final approval will be determined by the MFT Licensure Board.
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC):
The Association of North Carolina (LPCANC) is an approved provider of NBCC to award continuing education credits. LPCANC will offer 6 hours of continuing education credit to licensed professional counselors who complete all requirements.
Psychiatric Nurses:
For continuing Nursing Education Disclosures, nursing contact hour objectives and process for receiving the certificate of completion, go to the NCNA website, www.ncnurses.org. NCNA is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Psychiatrists:
The North Carolina Psychiatric Association is seeking approval to offer 6 hours of continuing education credit. For more information, contact the association at 919-859-3370.
Psychologists:
The North Carolina Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The North Carolina Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program is offered for 6 hours of continuing education credit.
Return to top of page