Training and Resources for Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Programs
By ensuring your team has the knowledge and information needed to implement a Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP), you can help achieve the greatest success. Learn about the trainings required for your CCP and access resources to support CCP managers in developing a training plan for their CCP staff.
Be sure to include information about your training plan within your Immediate Services Program (ISP) and Regular Services Program (RSP) applications.
Required Training Overview
CCP required training modules are designed to support your program in achieving its goals and enhancing resilience in the communities you serve. Email dtac@samhsa.hhs.gov to learn more about identifying qualified CCP trainers.
When the required training is not yet scheduled, staff should complete the “Just in Time” Training, which provides a brief overview of the CCP model and its services.
Immediate Services Program (ISP) Required Training
Core Content Training is usually held as an in-person training session during the first few weeks of the CCP. CCP program managers should plan to conduct this training on an ongoing basis for newly hired crisis counselors. The following materials are used in Core Content Training:
Regular Services Program (RSP) Required Training
This training is required during the RSP if the same set of staff members have not completed it during the ISP.
Core Content Training is usually held as an in-person training session during the first few weeks of the CCP. CCP program managers should plan to conduct this training on an ongoing basis for newly hired crisis counselors. The following materials are used in Core Content Training:
The CCP Management Training Course provides program administrators and managers with an overview of key concepts and program planning recommendations to prepare state and subcontracted local organizations for managing a CCP. It is a complement to the CCP Guidance, and the ISP and RSP step-by-step instructions.
Managers must also be aware of the CCP data collection and evaluation requirements. Learn more and access related training at the Data Collection for the CCP web page.
Training Resources
Virtual CCP trainings are adapted from the required in-person training modules, with a shorter, interactive format to accommodate virtual learning. There may be special circumstances when training may be held virtually. CCP program managers can contact their SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services project officer to discuss the best training options.
- Presentation and Trainer Notes for Virtual Core Content Training (PPTX | 9 MB)
- CCP Participant Workbook for Virtual Core Content Training (PDF | 6.8 MB)
- Presentation and Trainer Notes for Virtual Transition to RSP/RSP Midprogram Combined Training (PPTX | 8 MB)
- CCP Participant Workbook for Virtual Transition to RSP/RSP Midprogram Combined Training (PDF | 1 MB)
- Presentation and Trainer Notes for Virtual Disaster Anniversary/RSP Phasedown Combined Training (PPTX | 11 MB)
- CCP Participant Workbook for Virtual Disaster Anniversary/RSP Phasedown Combined Training (PDF | 816 KB)
To help crisis counselors build essential CCP skills, the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center developed four training videos demonstrating various counseling scenarios. Watch the videos to learn how counselors build a relationship with survivors, understand the human element of the data collection process in the field, and get tips on how to prioritize the resources provided through your grant.
- Individual and Family Encounter Training Video (13 minutes, 21 seconds): Watch the video to learn about individual and family crisis counseling encounters and see a model counseling session.
- Group Crisis Counseling and Public Education Training Video (12 minutes, 57 seconds): Watch the video to learn how to effectively lead group crisis counseling encounters and public education sessions.
- Mobile Data Collection App Training Video (12 minutes, 52 seconds): Watch the video to learn how to use the mobile data collection app during individual and family encounters and watch a model counseling session.
- Stress Management Techniques, Healthy Coping Strategies, Breathing Exercise (8 minutes, 18 seconds): Watch the video to learn more about the importance of self-care and boundaries between survivors and outreach staff and practice a stress-relieving breathing exercise.
- Crisis Counseling Skills (6 minutes, 43 seconds): Watch the video to learn crisis counseling skills, such as active listening, and watch a role-play that provides tips on working with angry survivors.
- Using the Assessment and Referral Tool During Crisis Counseling Encounters (15 minutes, 15 seconds): Watch the video to learn how to use the Assessment and Referral Tools in the mobile data collection app and watch a model counseling session.
CCP trainer handouts to use during required CCP trainings:
- Handout 1: Disaster Behavioral Health Acronyms (PDF | 142 KB): Download and share this handout with an alphabetized list of agencies and terms commonly used in the disaster behavioral health field, along with their acronyms.
- Handout 2: Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Typical Timeline (PDF | 129 KB): View this handout that provides a graphical depiction of the timeline for the ISP and RSP over the first year after a major disaster.
- Handout 3: Disaster Reactions and Interventions (PDF | 148 KB): View this handout that includes a chart that lists common disaster reactions by age—from preschoolers to older adults—and appropriate interventions.
- Handout 4: Recognizing Severe Reactions to Disaster and Common Psychiatric Disorders (PDF | 249 KB): Download and share this handout providing an overview of symptoms of severe reactions to a disaster, as well as mental health issues that may have existed prior to a disaster.
- Handout 5: The Road to Resilience (PDF | 924 KB): Download and share this full-color brochure that defines resilience and offers tips for building resilience.
- Handout 7: Organizational Approaches for Stress Prevention and Management (PDF | 185 KB): View this handout that includes a chart listing immediate and long-term responses for various aspects of stress prevention and management.
CCP resources for trainers and participants to use during required CCP trainings:
- CCP Job Aid for Crisis Counselors (PDF | 207 KB): Download and share this foldable brochure that gives an overview of the CCP, crisis counseling skills, outreach strategies, and other tools for helping disaster survivors.
- Exercises and Trainer’s Tips (PDF | 625 KB): Review this resource that provides icebreakers, games, and other exercises for trainers to use as part of the CCP trainings.
- References for CCP Trainer Resources (PDF | 190 KB): Review this list of the information sources cited in the CCP training materials.
- Training Feedback Forms: Participant (DOC | 45 KB): Download and share this brief survey with training participants to collect feedback on their experience. CCP trainers can email dtac@samhsa.hhs.gov to obtain access to the online version of the participant training feedback form.
- Training Feedback Forms: Trainer (DOC | 42 KB): Access this brief survey for trainers and other leaders to provide feedback on the training content and materials.
Virtual CCP trainings are adapted from the required in-person training modules, with a shorter, interactive format to accommodate virtual learning. There may be special circumstances when training may be held virtually. CCP program managers can contact their SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services project officer to discuss the best training options.
- Presentation and Trainer Notes for Virtual Core Content Training (PPTX | 9 MB)
- CCP Participant Workbook for Virtual Core Content Training (PDF | 6.8 MB)
- Presentation and Trainer Notes for Virtual Transition to RSP/RSP Midprogram Combined Training (PPTX | 8 MB)
- CCP Participant Workbook for Virtual Transition to RSP/RSP Midprogram Combined Training (PDF | 1 MB)
- Presentation and Trainer Notes for Virtual Disaster Anniversary/RSP Phasedown Combined Training (PPTX | 11 MB)
- CCP Participant Workbook for Virtual Disaster Anniversary/RSP Phasedown Combined Training (PDF | 816 KB)
To help crisis counselors build essential CCP skills, the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center developed four training videos demonstrating various counseling scenarios. Watch the videos to learn how counselors build a relationship with survivors, understand the human element of the data collection process in the field, and get tips on how to prioritize the resources provided through your grant.
- Individual and Family Encounter Training Video (13 minutes, 21 seconds): Watch the video to learn about individual and family crisis counseling encounters and see a model counseling session.
- Group Crisis Counseling and Public Education Training Video (12 minutes, 57 seconds): Watch the video to learn how to effectively lead group crisis counseling encounters and public education sessions.
- Mobile Data Collection App Training Video (12 minutes, 52 seconds): Watch the video to learn how to use the mobile data collection app during individual and family encounters and watch a model counseling session.
- Stress Management Techniques, Healthy Coping Strategies, Breathing Exercise (8 minutes, 18 seconds): Watch the video to learn more about the importance of self-care and boundaries between survivors and outreach staff and practice a stress-relieving breathing exercise.
- Crisis Counseling Skills (6 minutes, 43 seconds): Watch the video to learn crisis counseling skills, such as active listening, and watch a role-play that provides tips on working with angry survivors.
- Using the Assessment and Referral Tool During Crisis Counseling Encounters (15 minutes, 15 seconds): Watch the video to learn how to use the Assessment and Referral Tools in the mobile data collection app and watch a model counseling session.
CCP trainer handouts to use during required CCP trainings:
- Handout 1: Disaster Behavioral Health Acronyms (PDF | 142 KB): Download and share this handout with an alphabetized list of agencies and terms commonly used in the disaster behavioral health field, along with their acronyms.
- Handout 2: Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Typical Timeline (PDF | 129 KB): View this handout that provides a graphical depiction of the timeline for the ISP and RSP over the first year after a major disaster.
- Handout 3: Disaster Reactions and Interventions (PDF | 148 KB): View this handout that includes a chart that lists common disaster reactions by age—from preschoolers to older adults—and appropriate interventions.
- Handout 4: Recognizing Severe Reactions to Disaster and Common Psychiatric Disorders (PDF | 249 KB): Download and share this handout providing an overview of symptoms of severe reactions to a disaster, as well as mental health issues that may have existed prior to a disaster.
- Handout 5: The Road to Resilience (PDF | 924 KB): Download and share this full-color brochure that defines resilience and offers tips for building resilience.
- Handout 7: Organizational Approaches for Stress Prevention and Management (PDF | 185 KB): View this handout that includes a chart listing immediate and long-term responses for various aspects of stress prevention and management.
CCP resources for trainers and participants to use during required CCP trainings:
- CCP Job Aid for Crisis Counselors (PDF | 207 KB): Download and share this foldable brochure that gives an overview of the CCP, crisis counseling skills, outreach strategies, and other tools for helping disaster survivors.
- Exercises and Trainer’s Tips (PDF | 625 KB): Review this resource that provides icebreakers, games, and other exercises for trainers to use as part of the CCP trainings.
- References for CCP Trainer Resources (PDF | 190 KB): Review this list of the information sources cited in the CCP training materials.
- Training Feedback Forms: Participant (DOC | 45 KB): Download and share this brief survey with training participants to collect feedback on their experience. CCP trainers can email dtac@samhsa.hhs.gov to obtain access to the online version of the participant training feedback form.
- Training Feedback Forms: Trainer (DOC | 42 KB): Access this brief survey for trainers and other leaders to provide feedback on the training content and materials.