An Introduction to Utilizing Community Leaders to Expand Resiliency Efforts Following a Disaster

In the southeastern United States, many agricultural, vulnerable, and rural communities (AVRCs) must cope with natural disasters regularly. These natural disasters not only harm communities, crops, and livelihoods, but also can negatively impact the mental health of affected individuals, including those living in AVRCs. The purposes of this new 3-page article are to (1) provide tips on identifying specific individuals who could qualify as community leaders and (2) provide details on how partnering with community leaders can be beneficial for mental health communication and outreach. Written by Lisa Lundy, Jacqueline Aenlle, Ricky Telg, Tracy Irani, Angie Lindsey, Ashley Mcleod-Morin, Michaela Kandzer, and Phillip Stokes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc383

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Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Providers in the Southeastern United States

Psychiatry Research ◽

10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114055 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 114055

Author(s):

Henry Slone ◽

Arianna Gutierrez ◽

Caroline Lutzky ◽

Demi Zhu ◽

Hannah Hedriana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Mental Health Providers ◽

Health Providers ◽

The Impact

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Feasibility of Disaster Mental Health Preparedness Training for Black Communities

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1001/dmp.2012.18 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 302-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Danielle J. Laborde ◽

Kathryn Magruder ◽

Joanne Caye ◽

Theodore Parrish

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Natural Disasters ◽

Black Community ◽

Core Curriculum ◽

Community Leaders ◽

Black Communities ◽

Disaster Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Training ◽

Health Providers ◽

Process Data

AbstractObjectivesTo test the feasibility of developing evidence-based mental health training to build capacity to respond to natural disasters in black communities and the adaptation of a train-the-trainer (TTT) model for black community leaders and clinical providers in distressed areas at risk of natural disasters.MethodsA core curriculum was developed based on a training needs assessment and resource review. Participants were recruited using network sampling in eastern North Carolina. The core curriculum was tested for usability, revised, and then pilot tested among five mental health providers. Three of the five were trained to lead one-day workshops tailored for black community leaders and clinical providers. Process data were collected, and workshop participants completed posttraining knowledge tests, evaluation forms, and debriefing focus groups.ResultsTen providers and 13 community leaders pilot tested the training. Posttest knowledge scores were generally higher among clinical providers. Perceived effectiveness of training was higher among community-based organization leaders than clinical providers. Evaluations indicated that the workshop components were culturally relevant and well received by all participants. We identified ways to facilitate recruitment, provide optional e-learning, evaluate effectiveness, and extend trainer support in future field trials.ConclusionThe curriculum and TTT model provide culturally competent disaster mental health preparedness training for black communities. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:302-312)

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Reports from Faith Community Leaders in the South

Empty Churches ◽

10.1093/oso/9780197529317.003.0011 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 275-302

Author(s):

Elizabeth Kirkland Cahill

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Faith Community ◽

Community Leaders ◽

Data Sets ◽

Parental Factors ◽

Counter Narrative ◽

Media Reports ◽

Southern City ◽

National Trends

Cities in the Southeastern United States that are experiencing population growth offer a counter-narrative to media reports of religious disaffiliation. Against the backdrop of data sets and broad surveys, a glimpse into the challenges and successes of individual faith community leaders in a small but growing Southern city provides a more hopeful perspective. While some aspects of the disaffiliation story, particularly millennial disengagement, mirror national trends, in parts of the coastal Southeast, religious belief and practice are flourishing relative to the rest of the country. Combining extensive interviews of several local faith community leaders with the voices of millennials grappling with their faith, the author reflects upon cultural and parental factors in religious decline, identifies a few signs of hope, and suggests ways that existing communities of faith might draw in those of all ages who are spiritual seekers, through listening responsively, thinking creatively about ways to reach out, and offering radical hospitality.

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Evacuation Behavior during Wildfires: Results of Three Case Studies

Western Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/wjaf/21.1.39 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 39-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Patricia J. Cohn ◽

Matthew S. Carroll ◽

Yoshitaka Kumagai

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Social Construction ◽

Case Studies ◽

Public Safety ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Western United States ◽

Community Leaders ◽

Public Land ◽

Structured Interviews

Abstract Evacuation of rural communities threatened by wildfires is occurring more often, particularly in the western United States. Residents, public safety officials, community leaders, and public land managers are facing the issues and problems of this new experience. We used semi-structured interviews to elicit the evacuation experience from the viewpoint of evacuees and public safety officials in three case studies of wildfire evacuations in the western United States during 2000 and 2002. (Our interviews were conducted only with Teller County residents and officials.) We identify and describe the stages of the evacuation process as experienced by evacuees, and the dynamics and dilemmas associated with each stage. We analyze these perceptions and dynamics using the sociological lenses of social construction of meaning and structuration. The results indicate that evacuees and public safety officials have different perceptions and concerns about the evacuation process. We derive lessons learned from these three cases for use in planning future wildfire evacuations.

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