Mental Health Provider - Disaster Response Pool

Description

We are establishing a Disaster Response Mental Health Provider Pool for Charlotte County, Florida (and potentially other areas in the southeastern United States) to support behavioral health operations during hurricanes, severe storms, flooding, evacuations, and other declared disaster or emergency events.

This is a temporary, as-needed position. Selected candidates will be placed into an on-call disaster response pool and activated only when emergency operations are initiated within Charlotte County.

Applicants do not need to reside in Charlotte County or Florida; however, candidates must be available for rapid deployment to Charlotte County on short notice.

A Disaster Response Mental Health Provider plays a critical role in delivering emotional, psychological, and behavioral support to individuals and families residing in shelters due to crisis or displacement events. Whether in the aftermath of natural disasters, emergency evacuations, or mass care events, this role ensures that shelter residents receive appropriate and timely mental health care in a trauma-informed and culturally responsive manner. Working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary shelter team, the Mental Health Provider helps individuals process acute stress, mitigate the risk of escalation or harm, and connect to ongoing services. The position demands flexibility, compassion, and an understanding of disaster mental health principles. 

This role requires flexibility, emotional resilience, strong clinical judgment, and the ability to provide high-quality behavioral health care in fast-paced, resource-limited settings.

Position Type:

Temporary, as-needed disaster response role

Placement into the Disaster Response Mental Health Provider Pool

Activation only during declared emergencies

Variable schedules including extended shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays

May require rapid deployment with short notice

Core Responsibilities: 

Crisis Counseling & Direct Behavioral Health Support

• Provide on-site crisis counseling and Psychological First Aid (PFA) within shelter settings.
• Conduct brief behavioral health assessments to identify trauma symptoms, acute stress reactions, safety concerns, or psychiatric instability.
• Deliver trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions appropriate to mass care and disaster environments.
• Offer emotional stabilization and coping support to individuals and families experiencing displacement or loss.

Crisis Intervention & Referral

• Identify individuals experiencing acute psychiatric distress, suicidal ideation, or behavioral escalation and coordinate referral to emergency or inpatient services as appropriate.
• Collaborate with shelter medical staff, nursing personnel, case managers, public health officials, and security teams to ensure safe and coordinated behavioral response strategies.
• Maintain awareness of local behavioral health resources to support continuity of care and appropriate follow-up.

Group Support & Psychoeducation

• Facilitate support groups or therapeutic activities tailored to diverse populations, including children, older adults, and individuals with access or functional needs.
• Provide psychoeducation on stress reactions, grief, coping strategies, and resilience for residents and shelter staff.
• Promote wellness and emotional recovery through proactive engagement and outreach throughout the shelter environment.

Interdisciplinary Coordination

• Work as an integrated member of the disaster response team, coordinating with emergency management, public health, and community partners.
• Participate in operational briefings, case coordination meetings, and after-action reviews.
• Support the development of a safe, structured, and trauma-informed shelter environment.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in accordance with disaster response protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Track services delivered and report data as required by response leadership.
• Adhere to applicable disaster behavioral health guidance, including frameworks such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP), American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health standards, and guidance from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Please include resume with application.

Requirements

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Active, unrestricted license in the State of Florida 
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Or equivalent licensed behavioral health professional

Demonstrated experience in:

• Crisis intervention and counseling
• Trauma-informed care
• Working with vulnerable or displaced populations
• Strong verbal de-escalation skills and ability to function effectively under pressure.

Preferred:

• Completion of FEMA ICS 100, 200, and 700 coursework or equivalent disaster response training.
• Experience in shelter operations, public health emergencies, or disaster response settings.
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency preferred.