Development of Crisis Response Kits Brian Van Brunt, Ed.D. Western Kentucky University

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Development of Crisis Response KitsBrian Van
Brunt, Ed.D.Western Kentucky University
Counseling and Testing Center Potter Hall
409 1906 College Heights Blvd 11024 Bowling
Green, Kentucky 42101 270-745-3159 (phone)
270-745-6976 (fax) www.wku.edu/heretohelp
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Why develop these kits?

• We found ourselves being called into a variety of
  crisis situations with no notice
• Student death in residence halls
• Leading a grieving group for friends or
  classmates
• Running discussion with a floor experiencing a
  trauma (rape/sexual assault)
• Natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados
• Man-made disasters like fire, terrorists, car
  accidents

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Grief, Trauma Referral Handouts, Directions

• While we often responding well to these events,
  we thought preparing beforehand could help us
  respond in a more complete, professional and
  organized manner.

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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What we Include in our Kit

• We include the following elements
• Grief , Trauma Referral Handouts, Directions
• Relaxation CD, Master PowerPoint CD
• New Client Intake/ At-Risk Screening
• ID, Safety and First Aid Items
• Distracters/Creature Comforts
• Brochures, Business Cards

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Grief, Trauma Referral Handouts, Directions

• We would suggest developing a 2 page, front-back
  handout on how best to respond to grief,
  following a loss. This would be a general
  handouts, designed with an appreciation that
• We all process grief differently
• We each have a different time frame for
  responding to loss
• The information may not be useful now, but will
  be later (perhaps to another person)

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Grief, Trauma Referral Handouts, Directions

• We also included a handout for those who will
  work for students (professors, resident
  directors, administrators).
• This handout includes information on how to work
  with students going through grief and when and
  where to refer them when grieving crosses over
  into pathological symptoms.

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Grief, Trauma Referral Handouts, Directions

• We include a trauma handout to help people
  understand the normal reactions that follow a
  traumatic event. The handout should include
• Biological symptoms
• Psychological symptoms
• CISM/CISD overview
• Time frame of when to expect symptoms
• Referral for teams, counseling
• Ideas for those not affected, but looking to help

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Grief, Trauma Referral Handouts, Directions

• We include referral information for
• Local counseling resources
• Rape and sexual assault resources
• Womens shelter
• Psychiatric hospitals
• Suicide hotline, crisis lines
• Directions to many of these locations (hotel)
• On campus contact numbers

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Relaxation CD, Master PowerPoint CD

• We include a master PowerPoint CD that has our
  full collection of presentations in the event
  that we need to present on a particular topic.
• We also have several copies of relaxations CDs
  we use for helping students relax before going to
  bed and samples of guided imagery.
• If your bring a laptop, these can be
  downloaded to MP3/IPOD.

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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New Client Intake / At-Risk Screening

• In the event that a student is particularly upset
  we can begin doing intake paperwork or assessment
  for depression/suicide (we use the Beck
  Depression Inventory-2 and the Beck Suicide
  Scale.)
• These are not used for everyone, just those who
  are looking for follow up counseling or those who
  are at higher risk.
• This structure may be helpful for some as well.

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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ID, Safety and First Aid Items

• We had staff ID cards made for each of our
  counseling staff. These are helpful for
  identification in secure areas and to let student
  know who you are.
• We include a number of safety items
• Glow sticks to identify areas in the night
• Blanket and poncho if there is poor weather
• Notebooks, flashlight

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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ID, Safety and First Aid Items

• We also have a first aid kit with basic items
• Band-Aids
• Gauze and first aid tape
• Antiseptic
• Gloves
• Paper and pencil
• You may consider pairing with Health Services
  to cost share.

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Distracters / Creature Comforts

• We have found it useful to have a number of items
  to help create a linus blanket situation. These
  are
• Play dough
• Silly Putty
• We also have free-food passes for our dining hall
  on campus, bottled water and tissues.

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Brochures, Business Cards

• We include a number of our brochures and business
  cards for those who may want to make use of our
  services after our initial contact.
• These are also useful to pass around or leave in
  the back of the classroom for those who may not
  want to talk directly, but would follow up over
  time.

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Cost and Future Ideas

• Id estimate our cost per bag to be somewhere in
  the 50-75 range.
• It may be useful to look at funding
• Student affairs general fund
• Parent Organizations
• Combining with police /health services

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Reference

• Greenstone, J. (2008). THE ELEMENTS OF DISASTER
  PSYCHOLOGY Managing Psychosocial Trauma - An
  Integrated Approach to Force Protection. APA

Dr. Brian Van Brunt, LPCC, CFC Western Kentucky
University
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Development of Crisis Response KitsBrian Van
Brunt, Ed.D.Western Kentucky University
Counseling and Testing Center Potter Hall
409 1906 College Heights Blvd 11024 Bowling
Green, Kentucky 42101 270-745-3159 (phone)
270-745-6976 (fax) www.wku.edu/heretohelp