FSCA NEWS

THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI: MESSAGE FROM THE ACA PRESIDENT

 

The thoughts of the American Counseling Association and all our members go out the population of Haiti as they struggle to cope with the catastrophic earthquake that struck near Port-au-Prince. ACA wants to provide as much support as possible to both the citizens of Haiti and their friends and loved ones living in the United States and around the world. As such, ACA would like members to know about the following resources:

 

 

RESOURCES FOR THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY

 

ACA is pleased to make two resources for the Haitian community available through the ACA website at http://www.counseling.org. Please help us distribute them to U.S. Haitian community organizations, newspapers, radio stations, blogs and other Haitian oriented media:

 

A just completed ACA podcast that is geared for those who have family and loved ones in Haiti:

 

Speakers: Cirecie A. West-Olatunji, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Florida and Shirley St Juste, doctoral student, Howard University, who will translate in Creole for our Haitian American listeners.

 

Host: Rebecca Daniel-Burke discusses the following topics with the presenters:

 

* Acknowledgement that being in the U.S. with family in Haiti is very stressful

* Key symptoms of distress

* Ways to mitigate symptoms of distress

* When to get help

* Where to get help

 

Running time: 48.27

 

Listen to Podcast: http://www.counseling.org/Counselors/TP/PodcastsHome/CT2.aspx#16

 

The Red Cross flyer, Taking Care of Your Emotional Health after a Disaster. This document is available in both Haitian-Creole and English versions through the ACA website. Please click on http://www.counseling.org/PressRoom/NewsReleases.aspx?AGuid=87d3abbf-fef8-444c-b1e0-0a37858fa23d to view either version.

 

RED CROSS DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEERS

 

As you may know, ACA is a Red Cross mental health partner. As such, we are monitoring the need for ACA members who are certified Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Volunteers. We will put out a call for deployment if requested to do so by the American Red Cross.

 

ACA FOUNDATION

 

The ACA Foundation, through its Counselors Care program, is accepting donations to assist counselors in providing services to family members of Haitians directly impacted by the earthquake in Haiti. This program was originally established during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to assist ACA members in the Gulf Coast region re-establish their practices following that disaster.

 

This particular fund has since been expanded to include ACA members who are addressing the needs of relatives of individuals directly impacted by disasters. Many of these family members live in the US and are extremely concerned about their family members in Haiti. As these clients seek help in dealing with their frustrations of not knowing about the condition or even survival of their relatives in Haiti, ACA members must reach out to them in creative ways. The ACA Foundation can be of assistance to those ACA members as they strive to increase their capacity to respond to the unique, disaster-related needs of these clients. This might be through developing materials and other contact resources.

 

To contribute through the ACA Foundation select "Counselors Care Fund (Haiti Relief)" on our secure donation form when asked where you wish for your gift to be applied.

 

Donation Form: https://www.counseling.org/acaf/index_secure.htm

 

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

 

If you wish to make a donation to the Red Cross to assist with relief efforts, you can text the word "Haiti" to 90999 from any cell phone. The Red Cross will automatically receive a donation of $10, which will be charged to your cell phone bill, as promoted by the Department of State.

 

ABC News has compiled a listing of organizations accepting donations. Please visit http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=9547030 to view.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lynn E. Linde

ACA President