Thursday, January 24, 2013

Children’s Disaster Services offers workshops in Georgia, Connecticut.

Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) is holding volunteer training workshops in Georgia and Connecticut in February and March, respectively. An article about the recent--and first--CDS workshop in Connecticut is at http://canton-ct.patch.com/articles/group-learns-how-to-help-children-in-the-midst-of-a-crisis. The piece title “Group Learns How to Help Children in the Midst of a Disaster” reports on the event held Jan. 18-19 that trained 26 people, and how the “CT Project” is working to bring CDS to the state.

Participants in a CDS workshop learn to provide comfort and encouragement to children by offering the healing young children need in traumatic situations. The CDS workshop experience teaches how to create a safe, friendly environment that gives children the chance to engage in therapeutic play activities designed to relieve stress and calm fears. Most workshops also include a simulated shelter experience (an overnight stay) for adults interested in working with children after a disaster. Participants completing the course will have the opportunity to become certified CDS volunteers.

A workshop in Norcross, Ga., is planned for Feb. 18-21 at the Lodge at Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center. This workshop is in conjunction with a Disaster Academy coordinated by UMCOR, a United Methodist relief organization, and the Southeast Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. The schedule varies from the usual 2-day, 27-hour format of CDS workshops. In addition to the registration fee of $45 the cost for room and board ranges from $228 (double) to $458 (single). A minimum registration number of 15 people is required by Jan. 28 for this workshop to be conducted. Go to www.brethren.org/cds/training/dates.html for more information.

A workshop in Stratford, Conn., is planned for March 15-16. The event will be held at the Stratford Municipal Center. Registration costs $45. To express interest, contact local coordinator Bruce Lockwood at lockwoodbruce@comcast.net or 860 883-4280, or contact the Children’s Disaster Services office at CDS@Brethren.org or 800-451-4407, option 5.

More information about CDS workshops is online at www.brethren.org/cds.

Source: 1/24/2013 Newsline

No comments: