Pediatric Behavioral Health in Disasters

Welcome to the Pediatric Behavioral Health in Disasters Curriculum. The content presented will follow the four cycles identified in the disaster management cycle: Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation. This curriculum is designed to be a primer in disaster mental health. Articles provide an overview of key concepts and resources with case examples to illustrate implementation of psychosocial approaches/interventions. Learners will receive guidance in providing just-in-time intervention, identify opportunities for professional growth, and actionable steps to improve everyday readiness.

Published in January 2025 in Pediatrics, A State of the Art Review: Supporting Children's Mental Health Needs in Disasters summarizes the available evidence for the integration of behavioral health into the disaster phases with consideration of promoting equity in mental health, and identification of strategies and gaps in addressing pediatric mental health in disasters. This article serves as a framework on how healthcare systems can address children’s developmental, behavioral, social, and emotional needs in the context of disasters.

This is Part 1 of a 3 part curriculum. Additional areas that will be addressed include suicide prevention and intervention, behavioral health emergency response teams, mental health considerations for special populations, and grief/bereavement.

Curriculum Outline

Preparedness

I. Trauma: Risk Factors, Presentation, and Effects
II. Implementation of Psychological First Aid (PFA)
III. Ensuring the Safety of Children with Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities (CYSHCN) During Disasters

Response

I. A Trauma-Informed Approach to Supporting Survivors of Community Violence in a Hospital Setting
II. How to Support Resilience in Infants and Young Children Following a Catastrophic Event
III. Implementation of Skills for Psychological Recovery

Recovery

I. Taking the Fear out of Children’s Dreams Following a Disaster: The Wonder of Imagery Rehearsal Therapy
II. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia: Using the Science of Sleep to Guide Treatment
III. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Response to a Disaster

Mitigation

I. Trauma-Informed Systems of Care
II. Risks and Mitigation of Secondary Trauma
III. Catastrophic Events: Behavioral Health Considerations in the Medical Home

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Physician Assistants
Psychologists
Social Workers

Learning Objectives

Identify key principles that should be considered when selecting screening instruments, delivering care, and assessing and measuring change that is consistent with a trauma-informed system of care
Describe the presentation and typical trajectory of posttraumatic stress symptoms in children and adolescents experiencing a catastrophic event
Describe application of psychosocial interventions that can be delivered in the immediate aftermath of a disaster as well as during response and recovery.

Course summary

Available credit:

4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Children's National Hospital designates this Enduring activity for a maximum of 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
4.00 ANCC
Children's National Hospital will provide 4.00 Nursing Contact Hours for this Enduring activity.
4.00 APA
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. All confirmed participants will earn 4.00 CE credits upon successful completion of the learning event and evaluation.
4.00 ASWB
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Children’s National Hospital is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 4.00 continuing education credits.
4.00 Participation
Successful completion of this continuing education activity.

Course opens:

03/14/2025

Course expires:

02/01/2028

Cost:

$0.00

Rating:

Financial and In-Kind Commercial Support

No financial nor in-kind commercial support was received for this educational activity.

Faculty Member(s)