LOUISIANA Community Mental Health Services Block Grant ...

CRITERION 1
COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
SYSTEM OF CARE & AVAILABLE SERVICES
LOUISIANA FY 2011 - ADULT PLAN
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The State of Louisiana continues to recover from hurricanes that have changed the way that mental
healthcare is delivered in the state. The state was obviously challenged by Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita in 2005. Then after a short reprieve, the Louisiana gulf coast was hit again in September of
2008 by Hurricane Gustav. Gustav hit the region to the west of New Orleans, squarely targeting the
metropolitan Baton Rouge area; including the Office of Mental Health administrative headquarters
and the heart of the government for the entire state. Following on the heels of Gustav, Hurricane
Ike impacted the southwest area of the state previously affected by Hurricane Rita. Most recently,
the explosion of the Deep Water Horizon/British Petroleum oil rig resulting in the catastrophic oil
spill off the coast of Louisiana has once again tested the resolve of Louisiana citizens.
Emergency preparedness, response and recovery have become a part of every healthcare provider‟s
job description, and employees have learned that every disaster is different, often requiring new
learning and flexibility. As an example, employees of OBH are now on standby alert status should
a storm threaten the coast, and all employees are expected to be active during a crisis. All
Louisiana families are encouraged to “Get a Game Plan” (http://getagameplan.org/) in order to be
prepared for a crisis, should one strike. Clinicians in mental health clinics have made a point of
discussing disaster readiness with clients to ensure that they have needed medications and other
necessities in the case of an evacuation or closed clinics.
Although „Emergency Response‟ in the state had become somewhat synonymous with hurricane
response, the lessons learned from the hurricanes apply to disaster response of any kind.
Louisiana Spirit Hurricane Recovery Crisis Counseling Program
Louisiana Spirit was a series of FEMA/SAMHSA service grants funded through the Federal
Emergency Management Agency and administered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services. The Louisiana Office of Mental
Health was awarded a federal grant for the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program
(CCP) in Louisiana, which focused on addressing post hurricane disaster mental health needs and
other long term disaster recovery initiatives, in coordination with other state and local resources.
Crisis Counseling Programs are an integral feature of every disaster recovery effort and Louisiana
has used the CCP model following major disasters in the state since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
The CCP is implemented as a supplemental assistance program available to the United States and its
Territories, by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Section 416 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 1974 authorizes FEMA to fund mental
health assistance and training activities in areas which have been Presidentially declared a disaster.
These supplemental funds are available to State Mental Health Authorities through two grant
mechanisms: (1) the Immediate Services Program (ISP) which provides funds for up to 60 days of
services immediate following a disaster declaration; and (2) The Regular Services Program (RSP)
that provides funds for up to nine months following a disaster declaration. Only a State or
federally-recognized Indian tribe may apply for a crisis counseling grant.
PART C LOUISIANA FY 2011 PAGE 97
SECTION III: ADULT PLAN – CRITERION 1
COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES -- SYSTEM OF CARE & AVAILABLE SERVICES