Strategic Response to Crisis

Knowing what sequence of crisis intervention processes to use for which individuals or groups, at what times, and under what circumstances is crucial to all effective early intervention programs. The course will present essential information for the assessment of both crisis situations and the effects of critical incidents on people involved in those situations. Participants will learn to create an effective plan of action to assist those in crisis. Strategic planning and tactical decision making are emphasized, as are rationales for choosing one set of crisis intervention processes over another. Participants will complete a series of exercises designed to sharpen their assessment and crisis planning skills. This course builds confidence that crisis interventionists will make the right choices of interventions for the populations they are assisting under specific circumstances.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to: Define strategic planning as it applies to crisis intervention; Outline the elements of the National Incident Management System and relate those elements to crisis intervention; Describe a comprehensive, integrated, systematic and multi-component crisis intervention program; Participate actively in a planning process designed to assist the participants in assessing target populations and in determining the type, timing and resources necessary to assist large numbers of people involved in a crisis; and Choose from a list the most important crisis intervention tactics to apply in a simulated complicated or large scale crisis event. Successful completion of the Train the Trainer program will allow you to teach this curriculum to others. Continuing education will be required to maintain your instructor status.

Prerequisites for Participation in Train the Trainer Program:

• Completion of the Strategic Response to Crisis course as taught by ICISF or by an approved ICISF instructor. (Copy of certificate of completion is required to accompany the application.)
• ICISF Approved Instructor for Group Crisis Intervention.
• ICISF Approved Instructor for Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support.
• ICISF Approved Instructor for Advanced Group Crisis Intervention.
• Instructor in good standing with ICISF.
• A minimum of five years critical incident / traumatic stress experience.
• A letter of recommendation from a local, state or regional CISM team or agency / institution dated within three months of application due date.*
• A letter of endorsement from a local, state or regional CISM coordinator or clinical director dated within three months of application due date.*

* At least one of the letters of recommendation must attest to the instructor candidate's teaching ability. If neither of the aforementioned letters can do so, a third letter must be submitted.

• Active membership on a crisis intervention team.
• Current ICISF membership.
• A copy of a current CV or resume.
• Official course application form.
• A brief statement outlining:
  1. Your crisis intervention/CISM experience.
  2. Your instructional experience.
  3. Reasons for applying for ICISF Approved Instructor Training.

  Last updated: March 2008