Through a training partnership with the National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN), Hartford Seminary will host a Disaster Chaplain training course on the Hartford Seminary campus on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 5 and 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Congregation leaders, chaplains, spiritual care providers, mental health professionals, and emergency managers are urged to enroll.

“This two-day training prepares faith leaders or spiritual care providers to volunteer as disaster chaplains in mass care settings or to serve as disaster chaplains within their house of worship, religious community or professional institution,” said NDIN President and Hartford Seminary Adjunct Professor Peter Gudaitis. “Emergency managers and mental health professionals may also take this training to develop their knowledge of disaster spiritual care best practices.”

 

The training covers such topics as the emotional and spiritual phases of the disaster “life cycle,” spiritual first aid, disaster human services and site operations, phases of psychological reaction to disaster, effective caregiver self-care practices, mental health assessment and referral, and the federal Incident Command System (ICS).

 

“The crucial learning from the workshop for me was my new awareness of how individuals and communities are affected by disasters,” said a participant in Hartford Seminary’s June 2013 training who was also a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing.

 

The NDIN curriculum is compliant with NIMS (National Incident Management Systems) and incorporates FEMA Incident Command System (FEMA IS 100) training. It also complies with the National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Points of Consensus for Disaster Spiritual Care.

 

NDIN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit working to build disaster-resilient communities through the exchange of best practices, cooperative support and training. NDIN courses, consultants and trainers help develop best practices and sustainable capacity for local advocacy, disaster chaplaincy, mitigation education, preparedness training, relief, and recovery coordination.

 

Participants who complete NDIN training can volunteer with the National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN) or its partners. NDIN can assist volunteers in finding disaster spiritual care volunteer opportunities in local communities across the United States.

 

“Disaster spiritual care competence is a very valuable addition to the knowledge base I must acquire to go forward in my quest to become a chaplain,” said another participant in the training held at Hartford Seminary last June.

 

Indeed, “this training in disaster spiritual care is an important element of Hartford Seminary’s new Multifaith Chaplaincy Program,” notes Dr. Lucinda Mosher, Faculty Associate for Interfaith Studies and the program’s director.

 

The cost of this training is $195.00, which includes continental breakfast, lunch, and materials. Enrollment is limited to 35 participants. To enroll, visit the NDIN website or contact Lucinda Mosher: lmosher@hartsem.edu.