Community leaders workshop: Preparing for community trauma

This free community leaders workshop training package has been developed for community leaders to grow their knowledge and skills in supporting children through natural disaster preparedness.

The core outcome of the training is for community leaders to be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to promote resilience and coping, and decrease long-term adverse reactions in children (aged 0-12 years) following a natural disaster event.

This workshop and accompanying activities is anticipated to run for 30-40 minutes.

Developed for community-based delivery, the workshop package and resources is comprises of a Facilitator’s Handbook, accompanying presentation slides, optional activities and handouts. As the facilitator, it’s best to start by familiarising yourself with the workshop by viewing the Facilitator’s Handbook.

Four optional activities have been provided with module materials and are noted in the relevant section of the accompanying presentation slides. If preferred, the four optional activities can be delivered together as a further stand-alone module (i.e. as Module 3).

A Resource Matrix has also been provided to assist facilitators to access particularised resources (e.g. recovery after a bushfire,
recovery after flood) for distribution in areas that may be impacted by particular types of natural disaster.

If you’d like to provide any feedback on the workshop and its material, please get in touch via our feedback form.

Acknowledgement

This handbook was originally developed by the Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of
Queensland as part of the Queensland Government’s response to the Queensland Natural Disasters. [Kenardy, De Young, Le
Brocque & March. (2011) Brisbane: CONROD, University of Queensland]. The materials and content have been revised and
extended for use as part of the Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health Community Trauma Toolkit.