The latest issue of The Dialogue, a quarterly newsletter for disaster behavioral health coordinators, local service providers, federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations, features "Steps to Revising an All-Hazards Disaster Behavioral Health Plan" by Dr. Denise Bulling, Senior Research Director at the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center.
Dr. Bulling offers Disaster Behavioral Health planners a thorough outline of a plan revision process that can be used to ensure plans are best equipped to address changing needs, circumstances, and challenges. Bulling states that she is a "strong advocate for outlining the plan revision process to include timelines and who is responsible for each step. The benefits of following a clear process include increased transparency and accountability." Her step-by-step plan includes:
- Step 1: Exercise your plan.
- Step 2: Identify the areas of the plan that need community or organizational involvement.
- Step 3: Gather community or organizational input.
- Step 4: Draft the plan.
- Step 5: Reconcile with other plans.
- Step 6: Finalize and distribute the plan.
Read the full article and learn more about the individual steps by visiting SAMHSA.gov or clicking the link below.