This new program prepares individual’s to properly and adequately respond to a crisis of varied circumstances, whether it be in the church, workplace or civic arena and who yearns to come alongside those who are hurting.

Crisis, trauma and disaster represents both opportunity and danger – opportunity, to minister to those who are hurting, and danger, where pain and trauma strips us of our joy and can destroy a soul forever… sometimes for life. But, God is always in our trouble, and He has no greater plan than to work through his people as His conduit to tell his people that He will make a way.

If you have meaningful influence in the life of another individual, either as a member of the local police force, ambulance/EMT, nurse, doctor, school teacher, pastor, therapist, or any position that involves the opportunity to provide Godly counsel, wisdom and care in a time of crisis, you must pursue this credential.

When the need arises during a local disaster or crisis, from teen suicide, car accident, terminal illness, fire, hurricane, tornado or various other times associated with the day to day disasters associated with this life, be prepared to offer the kind of Godly care and wisdom that comes with having achieved the CRC credential.

Join me and thousands of your AACC members who will immediately pursue this important and prestigious specialized training leading to the Christian Crisis Response Credential. Our goal is to train over 10,000 individuals with the CRC credential throughout the nation working in churches, civic arenas, and workplaces.

I hope to hear that you have joined with us. See the enclosed flyer for our upcoming trainings and the requirements for CRC certification.

We love being a part of your life!

Blessings,

Tim Clinton
President

“Thank the Lord, I earned my CISM certification in 2002 through AACC! When a series of deadly twisters turned our small town into a ‘war zone,’ I was allowed by officials into restricted areas to help those grieving their losses.” B.D. – Backwater, KY“As a result of my CISM Training, I now feel better equipped to ‘be there’ in times of need for the families in my congregation.”;
Rev. A.S. – New York, NY

Part 1: Basic Group Critical Incident Stress Management/Debriefing – BASIC CISM

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) Approved training: 14hrs (2 day training)

This multi-phasic, multi-component approach to critical incident response is the “standard of care.” Thousands have taken advantage of this training, but many more need to before they respond to disasters – even in their places of worship and local communities.

The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, First Responders (law enforcement, fire and EMT), Homeland Security, FEMA and other government agencies recognize this training from the AACC and The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and usually require it before a response person is allowed on-site. Many other organizations, such as Victim Chaplain Response, the International Chaplain Academy and the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists require the CISM training in order to obtain certification.

Participants completing this course will be prepared to provide debriefings and defusings in response to traumatic incidents in communities, schools, churches, and workplaces. Participants will learn:

• The Prevalence and Cost of Traumatic Incidents
• The Spiritual, Psychological, and Physiological Impact of Traumatic Stress
• OSHA’s Post Incident (CISM) Response Guidelines
• Means of Integrating One’s Christian Faith Into Crisis Response Interventions
• How to Conduct CISM Debriefings and Defusings
• How to Coordinate CISM Interventions
• 14 CE Credits

Course Format

This two-day course will consist of 13 hours of teaching hours. The instructor will utilize an interactive method of instruction that will utilize a participant manual, multimedia presentation, video, role-plays, skill building exercises, case studies, discussion and practical exercises to achieve the course objectives. Post-course assignments will also need to be completed to receive a certificate of completion.

Available in on site training only (See registration form for cities/dates)

Part 2: Individual CISM

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) Approved training: 13hrs (2 day training)

Crisis intervention is NOT psychotherapy; rather it is a specialized acute emergency mental health intervention which requires specialized training. As physical first-aid is to surgery, crisis intervention is to psychotherapy. Thus, crisis intervention is sometimes called “emotional first-aid.” Crisis interventions are typically done individually (one-on-one) or in groups. This program is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of, and a specific protocol for, individual intervention. The audience for this class includes both emergency services, military, and business/industrial peer support personnel without formal training in mental health, as well as mental health professionals, who desire to increase their knowledge of individual (one-on-one) crisis intervention techniques.

You will learn:

• The concept of CISM as a comprehensive crisis intervention program
• The role of the individual crisis intervention in the comprehensive CISM program
• Terms and concepts relevant to the study of crisis, traumatic stress and crisis intervention
• Differential utilities of selected crisis communication techniques
• Demonstration of selected crisis communication techniques
• Psychological reactions to crisis and trauma
• SAFER protocol for individual crisis intervention and its role in comprehensive CISM
• Demonstration of the us of SAFER protocol for individual crisis intervention
• Review of common problems encountered while working with individuals in crisis

Course Format:

This two-day course will consist of 13 hours of teaching hours. The instructor will utilize an interactive method of instruction that will utilize a participant manual, multimedia presentation, video, role-plays, skill building exercises, case studies, discussion and practical exercises to achieve the course objectives.

Available in on site training only (See registration form for cities/dates)

Part 3: Crisis Response Video Training Series: 15hrs on DVD -

1. Trauma & Crisis Care: Why We Serve – Diane Langberg, Ph.D.
2. Crisis Response: An Overview of Emergency Mental Health & Chaplaincy – Jennifer Cisney, Tom Webb, Jim Nelms
3. The Ethics & Protocol of Crisis Care – Jim Nelms, B.A.
4. Compassion Fatigue and Self Care – Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min.
5. Crisis Theory and Assessment – Jennifer Cisney, M.A. & Josh Straub. M.A.(interviews with leaders in the field)
6. Theology of Suffering and the “Crisis of Faith” – Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min.
7. Stability After Crisis: The First Seven Days – Kevin Ellers, M.Div., M.A.
8. Getting Plugged In: The Logistics of Responding to Crisis & Disaster – Kevin Ellers, M.Div., M.A.
9. Death Notification and Family Assistance – Charlie Davidson, M.Div., D.D.
10. Suicide: Coping with the Aftermath - Tom Webb, M.Div.
11. Children & Crisis – Jim Nelms, B.A.
12. Ambassadors of Faith and Ministry of Presence - Charlie Davidson, M.Div., D.D.

Three Audio Lessons on CD - taped live on location at an AACC Crisis and Trauma Response in New York City in October 2001.

13. Coping with Traumatic Memory – Diane Langberg, Ph.D.
14. Post Traumatic Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Michael Lyles, MD
15. When God Doesn’t Make Sense – Ed Hindson

10 hours of additional training is needed every 3 years to maintain the Professional CRC Credential.

Part 1: Be able to demonstrate 50 hours of community service

Part 2: Emotional and Spiritual Care in Disasters (ICISF Approved): 13hrs (2 day training)

Course Purpose:
The purpose of this advanced level course is to enhance the skills of clergy, chaplains, mental health professionals, and trained crisis responders to provide effective emotional and spiritual care (ESC) to meet the disaster-related needs of disaster responders and disaster affected families and individuals within disaster operations. This course builds on the crisis intervention principles taught in the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) courses: Group Crisis Intervention; Individual Crisis Intervention & Peer Support; and Pastoral Crisis Intervention.

You will learn:

• Articulate the role of the ES caregiver from one’s own faith tradition and the elements of ESC provided in a pluralistic disaster environment.
• Clearly define the role and function of the emotional and spiritual caregiver within the incident command system and disaster relief operation.
• Identify the physical, psychological, emotional, interpersonal and spiritual impact of disasters.
• Provide emotional and spiritual care to disaster survivors, first responders and relief workers through a multifaceted range of ESC interventions within a multi-phasic continuum of the post trauma/disaster aftermath.
• Assess ones own suitability to provide ESC within the trauma and disaster context.
• Identify a personal self-care plan for maintaining one’s own emotional, physical and spiritual health during deployment.

Course Format:
This two-day course will consist of 13 hours of teaching hours. The instructor will utilize an interactive method of instruction that will utilize a participant manual, multimedia presentation, video, role-plays, skill building exercises, case studies, discussion and practical exercises to achieve the course objectives.

Available in on site training only (See registration form for cities/dates)

Part 3: Must successfully complete one of the following three trainings:

Grief Following Trauma (ICISF Approved): 13hrs (2 day training)

Practical – That’s the word to describe the newest AACC/ICISF certification course. In the course of your career and ministry it is inevitable that you will encounter traumatic death and loss issues both professionally and personally. The question is “Are you prepared to provide ongoing care throughout the intense grief process?” This training goes beyond the CISM process since many need help for months and even years. This is both an informational and skill building seminar designed for Christian counselors, pastors, chaplains and lay people who are seeking a comprehensive course from a Christian perspective. The information and practical steps can be used in your practice and congregation as well as local and national disasters.

In this two-day course participants will identify the major grief and loss concepts relating to trauma and traumatic death. Grief, trauma and their effects will be looked at from a biblical perspective. The effect of sudden loss and the loss chain, which moves us to traumatization, will be presented. Trauma’s effect upon children and the family unit will be addressed as well.

Concepts will also include normal and pathological grief responses, assessing factors contributing to the human response, and implementation of practical steps to help grieving people through the traumatic grief process by application of the CISM SAFER model to Rando’s theory of the grief process. Numerous examples of what to say and what to do will be discussed via verbatims as well as video interviews. Several models of helping those traumatized will be suggested since many wonder where to begin and what can work with those in trauma. Personal issues relating to the stressors of trauma and grief care, secondary traumatization, and developing a personal self-care plan will also be discussed.

You will learn:

• To identify types of traumatic events and the characteristics of trauma and grief.
• To identify normal and pathological grief responses.
• To describe factors that may help or hinder the traumatic grief process.
• To perform essential skills for assisting grieving people including: death notification, preparing people for body identification, and effective support services.
• To apply a practical application of the SAFER model to Rando’s theory of the grief process.
• To review techniques for supporting grieving people and identify resources for linking them to continued care.

Course Format:
This two-day course will consist of 13 hours of teaching hours. The instructor will utilize an interactive method of instruction that will utilize a participant manual, multimedia presentation, video, role-plays, skill building exercises, case studies, discussion and practical exercises to achieve the course objectives.

Pastoral/Spiritual Crisis Training (ICISF Approved): 13 hrs (2 day training)

Pastoral Crisis Intervention may be thought of as the combination of faith-based resources with traditional techniques of crisis intervention. Pastoral crisis intervention represents a powerful addition to traditional community and organizational psychological support resources. The purpose of this two-day workshop is to assist the participants in learning how pastoral interventions and traditional psychological crisis interventions may be effectively integrated. Chaplains, pastoral counselors, mental health professionals, ministers, and anyone interested in the use of faith-based resources in healing should find this course of interest.

You will learn:

• Critical Stress Interventions are taken to a much higher level
• Your leadership kills for time of crisis will be sharpened
• ICISF Model of Pastoral Crisis Intervention
• Identifying and Responding to a “Crisis Of Faith” following Trauma
• Crisis Intervention vs. Psychotherapy
• Common Mistakes
• Self-Care
• Update on the Latest Research on Critical Incident Stress Management
• Psychological triaging
• Common psychological reactions during crisis
• Practice in pastoral crisis intervention
• Most challenging applications
• 13 CE Credits

Course Format:
This two-day course will consist of 13 hours of teaching hours. The instructor will utilize an interactive method of instruction that will utilize a participant manual, multimedia presentation, video, role-plays, skill building exercises, case studies, discussion and practical exercises to achieve the course objectives.

School Crisis Training (ICISF Approved): 14 hrs (2 day training)

Educator’s nationwide and worldwide struggle to establish and manage School Crisis Response Teams in response to the recent escalation in frequency and scope of campus emergencies. Community CISM teams have much to offer, but much to learn about the unique milieu of schools. Similarly, schools can benefit from CISM technology and strategies. This course attempts to develop a common language and approach that fits within the broad goals and specific needs of school crisis management. Working together in multi-disciplinary teams, we explore organizing principles, develop specific skills and culminate in a large incident planning simulation.

You will learn:

• Children & Staff Trauma
• Basic Psychotraumatology CISM for Children – Debriefing – Defusing
• How schools react to crisis
• Children and staff reactions to trauma
• Principles Overview of CISM and School Crisis Management and techniques of crisis intervention
• Assessment of individuals and groups
• Group interventions and debriefings
• Developmental modifications and applications
• Large incident planning
• Team formation and maintenance
• Helper stress
• 14 CE Credits

Course Format:
This two-day course will consist of 13 hours of teaching hours. The instructor will utilize an interactive method of instruction that will utilize a participant manual, multimedia presentation, video, role-plays, skill building exercises, case studies, discussion and practical exercises to achieve the course objectives.

This training available on site only (See registration form for cities/dates)

When you complete your training you will receive:

• Certificate
• Badge
• 2 Yellow Shirts with Badge credential

The following designations will be awarded by the International Board of Certified Counselors (IBCC) once an individual has successfully completed the training necessary for the Professional Crisis Response Credential and depending upon your current professional standing:

1. Ordained or Licensed Pastor: Crisis Response Chaplain (CRC)
2. Master’s Level or above Professional Counselor/Psychologist: Crisis Response Therapist (CRT)
3. Lay Counselor/Peer: Crisis Response Practitioner (CRP)

Your Trainers

Jennifer Cisney, M.A. received her Masters Degree in Counseling from Wake Forest University and has a private counseling practice in Charlotte, North Carolina. She specializes in working with grief, crisis, and trauma and has been instrumental in helping establish the AACC Christian Crisis Response program and is currently the Team Coordinator. She was the point person in the launch of AACC’s Christian Crisis Response Training program in 2000 and was director of AACC’s Soul Care TRIP in New York City following 9/11. In addition to professional licenses and certifications, she is a Certified Basic Critical Incident Stress Management Trained-trainer through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF).

Kevin Ellers, M.Div.is the Territorial Disaster Services Coordinator for The Salvation Army in the U.S.A. Central Territory. He is also president of the Institute for Compassionate Care which is dedicated to education, training and direct care. He serves as faculty for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and teaches broadly in the topics of Medic First Aid, grief, trauma, disasters, and emotional and spiritual care. Kevin is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree in the Marriage and Family Therapy track and is currently working on the final project for completion of the degree. He has a strong background in disasters, chaplaincy, pastoral ministries, marriage and family therapy and social services.

Captain Jim Nelms has worked in the fire/EMS service for 20 years. He has been involved in the development of peer support services and the administration of pre and post incident traumatic stress mental health support for 16 years. He currently serves as the State Coordinator of the Georgia Crisis Response Team. He has led the Henry/Clayton CISM Team from its inception in 1995. He is on the faculty of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation as an instructor for CISM: Advanced Group Crisis Intervention, CISM: Group Crisis Intervention, CISM: Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support and Pastoral Crisis Intervention. His unique, common sense style of instruction is a welcome insight to the field of Traumatic stress.

Joshua Straub, Ph.D. (Candidate) received his Masters Degree in Counseling from Alliance Graduate School in Nyack, New York and is a candidate for the Ph.D. in Counseling from Liberty University. Josh specializes in grief, crisis and traumas and is a Certified Basic Critical Incident Stress Management Trained-trainer through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF).

Chaplain Thomas E. Webb, ThM, is the President of Webb & Associates Chaplaincy Consulting. His article in the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health portrays his pioneering efforts in the development of a first-time ever Central Critical Incident Stress Management Team at Camp Pendleton to respond to the 35,000 plus Marines and their families. He has contributed significantly to the defining of the role of the Chaplain in CISM. From 1995-1999 at Camp Pendleton he coordinated CISM team responses to significant incidents. In addition to his eleven years of active duty Navy Chaplaincy that has taken him through two combat zones, he has had twelve years clinical chaplaincy experience in prison and psychiatric institutions and in private practice in Kansas prior to his Navy career. Endorsed by the Bible Churches Ministries and graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, he has done further post-graduate work in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling at the University of San Diego and in suicide prevention and pastoral counseling at The Menninger Foundation, Topeka, KS. He currently serves as the chaplain member of the Traumatic Loss Response Team of the Poway Unified School District in Poway, California.