Urgent Need for Mental Health Professionals to Volunteer in Texas

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Red Cross Disaster Mental Health (DMH) needs more mental health professionals to support workers and clients in Texas as part of the Hurricane Ike relief operation. The DMH eligibility requirements are:

* State-licensed or state-certified, master's level (or higher) school counselors and school psychologists (Type 73)

* Independently, state-licensed, master's level (or higher) mental health professionals (social workers (LCSW), psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed clinical professional counselors (LCPC), marriage and family therapists (LMFT) and psychiatric nurses)

* Licensed psychiatric RNs or RNs with at least two years experience working with direct client service in a behavioral health setting

Although it is not in the news anymore, the Red Cross is still in great need of mental health professionals to support the ongoing sheltering and feeding operations for thousands of disaster survivors.

If you are interested and available for a national deployment between now and Oct. 21, 2008 for a minimum of 10 days and up to three weeks, please contact your local Red Cross chapter. To find the Red Cross chapter closest to you, please go to the Chapter Locater Web site at www.redcross.org.

Chicago - American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, 312-729-6100, 2200 West Harrison, Chicago, IL www.chicagoredcross.org/

Alton - Southwestern Illinois Chapter, 618-465-7704, 1639 Main St., Alton, IL 62002, http://swillinois.redcross.org/

Bloomington - American Redcross of the Heartland, 309-622-0500, One Westpoint Court, Bloomington, IL 61704, www.archeartland.org/

Carthage - Hancock County Chapter, 217-357-9079, 71 S. Adams, Carthage, IL 62321, www.adams.net/~hcrcross

Centralia - South Central Illinois Chapter, 618-532-3511, 319 East Seventh St., PO Box 547, Cenralia, IL 62801, http://southcentralillinois.redcross.org/

Champaign - Central Illinois Chapter, 309-677-7272, 404 Ginger Bend Dr. Champaign, IL 61822, www.redcrossillinois.org/

DeKalb - De Kalb County Chapter, 815-756-7339, 2727 Sycamore Road, Suite 2A, Dekalb, IL 60115, http://dekalbillinois.redcross.org/

Decatur - Mid-Illinois Chapter, 217-428-7758, 2674 North Main St., Decatur, IL 62526, www.midillinoisredcross.org/

Effingham - South Central Illinois Chapter, Centralia, 217-342-4344, 1108 S. Willow, PO Box 1035 Effingham, IL 62401, http://southcentralillinois.redcross.org/effwelcomepg.htm

Freeport - Northwest Illinois Chapter, 815-233-0011, 221 W. Galiena, Freeport, IL 61032, http://northwestillinois.redcross.org/

Galesburg - Western Illinois Chapter, 309-344-1611, 143 E. Main Street, Galesburg, IL 61401, http://westernillinois.redcross.org/

Jacksonville - Central Prairie Chapter, Jacksonville, 217-243-6641, 700 N. Prairie St., Jacksonville, IL 62650, www.il-redcross.org/centralprairiechapter/index.html

Kankakee - Kankakee County Chapter, 815-933-2286, 1432 S. 4th Ave., Kankakee, IL 60901, www.kankakeeredcross.org/

Macomb - McDonough County Chapter, 309-837-1594, 1224 Maple Ave., Macomb, IL 61455, www.mcdonough-redcross.org/

Moline - American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area, 309-743-2166, 1100 River Drive Moline, IL, www.qcredcross.org/

Morris - Grundy County Chapter, 815-942-1046, 117 W. Washington St., Morris, IL 60450, http://grundycounty.redcross.org/

Mt. Vernon - Mid Southern Illinois Chapter, 618-224-2083, 1201A Casey Ave., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864, http://midsouthernillinois.redcross.org/

Peoria - Central Illinois Chapter, 309-677-7272, 311 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. Peoria, IL, www.redcrossillinois.org/

Rockford - Rock River Chapter, 815-963-8471, 727 N. Church St., Rockford, IL 61103, http://rockriver.redcross.org/

Peru - Illinois Valley Chapter, 815-223-0922, 1605 Fourth Street, Peru, IL 61354, www.ilvalleyredcross.org/

Pittsfield - Pike County Chapter, 217-285-2813, 117 S. Memorial St. Pittsfield, IL 62363, www.pike-redcross.org/

Quincy - Adams County Chapter, 217-222-2477, 3000 N. 23rd Street, Qunicy, IL 62305, www.redcrossadams.org/

St. Charles - Fox River Chapter, 630-443-8844, 121 N. Second St., St. Charles, IL 60174, http://chapters.redcross.org/il/foxriver/

Springfield - Illinois Capital Area Chapter, 217-787-7602, 1045 Outer Park Dr., Springfield, IL 62704, www.il-redcross.org/

Please be aware that prior to a national deployment, mental health volunteers must register as Red Cross volunteers, have a quick background check and complete the Foundations of Disaster Mental Health training to prepare them for their volunteer roles and to ensure the safety and welfare of Red Cross clients and workers.

If you have any trouble contacting your chapter or being able to quickly obtain the Foundations of Mental Health training (a prerequisite before deployment), contact Rob Yin, DMH manager, at Red Cross National Headquarters at (202) 303-4036 so he can provide assistance and/or schedule a two-hour, condensed DMH training for you via teleconference call.

The work in Texas is not easy, and your Red Cross chapter will inform you of some of the hardship conditions that you may face. The work, however, is very rewarding. If you or someone you know can deploy to support the relief operations in Texas, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.