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10th Anniversary Child Protection & Safeguarding Handbook

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10th Anniversary Child Protection & Safeguarding Handbook

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Contributing Author

Chapters:

Trauma-Informed Care: Responding to Abuse and Neglect in International Schools

Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) in International Schools

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AISA | Association of International Schools in Africa

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AISA to Launch Expanded 10th Anniversary Child Protection & Safeguarding Handbook — AISA | Association of International Schools in Africa

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This year marks an important milestone for child protection in international education: the 10th anniversary of the Africa International Schools Association (AISA) Child Protection & Safeguarding Handbook. To honor this milestone—and to meet the evolving needs of international schools—AISA i

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The Impact of AI on Mental Health & Wellbeing

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The Impact of AI on Mental Health & Wellbeing

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Digital We - Human Sociality and Culture in the Era of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence

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Collaborative Care Integration: Enhancing Psychiatric Services in Primary Care for Underserved Communities in South Central and Southeast Louisiana

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Collaborative Care Integration: Enhancing Psychiatric Services in Primary Care for Underserved Communities in South Central and Southeast Louisiana

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September 2024

$1,000,000.00 Grant Award

Mercy Family Center

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Generative AI for Value Creation Program at Loyola University, New Orleans Advisory Panel 

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Generative AI for Value Creation Program at Loyola University, New Orleans Advisory Panel 

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Generative AI for Value Creation Program

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Go beyond the traditional applications of artificial intelligence (AI), and focus on creating and implementing innovative value driven solutions. Learn the principles of generative AI, exploring its…

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Empowering AMISA School Counselors: Evidence-Based Strategies for Student Mental Health 

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Empowering AMISA School Counselors: Evidence-Based Strategies for Student Mental Health 

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February 23rd

April 13th

This 3-part series for AMISA school counselors addresses current challenges in international school settings using real-life case studies submitted by counselors. Sessions 1 and 2 cover key topics in school counseling; Session 3 will be based on issues identified by participants. Grounded in research on school psychology, trauma-informed care, and cultural competence.

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Mon, Oct 27

|

Virtual Event

Join Dr. Douglas Walker for an AMISA Counselor Case Consultation Session on addressing student anxiety and stress. These sessions are FREE for AMISA Counselors.

Time & Location

Oct 27, 2025, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM EDT

Virtual Event

About the Event

Join Dr. Douglas Walker in the first session of our AMISA Counselor Case Consultation Series where he works directly with AMISA School Counselors on addressing student anxiety and stress. These sessions are FREE for AMISA Counselors and Schools.

Objective:

Equip AMISA school counselors with evidence-based strategies to identify and manage anxiety and stress in students, fostering resilience and academic success.

Learning Outcomes:

* Identify signs of anxiety and stress in students using validated tools.

* Implement CBT-based and mindfulness interventions informed by real-life AMISA school

Read More >

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Addressing Anxiety and Stress in Students | AMISA

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Join Dr. Douglas Walker for an AMISA Counselor Case Consultation Session on addressing student anxiety and stress. These sessions are FREE for AMISA Counselors.

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Keynote Address -Kindness by Design: The Hidden Architecture of Innovative Schools

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Keynote Address -Kindness by Design: The Hidden Architecture of Innovative Schools

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Details forthcoming

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Engage with hundreds of international educators and partners from the AMISA region for exciting opportunities of professional development, networking, and educational fun.

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Stress First Aid (SFA) Implementation Consultation

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Stress First Aid (SFA) Implementation Consultation

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TBA

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Events Calendar - Browse our calendar and choose events for you

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We bring audiences quality continuing education with expert instructors. Our events offer growth and success. View the events calendar.

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Generative AI for Value Creation: Advisory Panel Member

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Generative AI for Value Creation: Advisory Panel Member

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Generative AI for Value Creation Program

August 2025 - Present

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Generative AI for Value Creation Program

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Go beyond the traditional applications of artificial intelligence (AI), and focus on creating and implementing innovative value driven solutions. Learn the principles of generative AI, exploring its…

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Keynotes, Deep Dives...

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American International Schools in the Americas

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American International Schools in the Americas

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Consultant

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AMISA | American International Schools in the Americas | Florida & Americas

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AMISA is a membership organization dedicated to providing teacher recruitment, professional learning, and operational support serives to member schools in the Americas (North, Central, South) and surrounding Caribean Islands.

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Collaborative Care Integration: Enhancing Psychiatric Services in Primary Care for Underserved Communities in South Central and Southeast Louisiana

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Collaborative Care Integration: Enhancing Psychiatric Services in Primary Care for Underserved Communities in South Central and Southeast Louisiana

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September 2024

$1,000,000.00 Grant Award

Mercy Family Center

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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Former PI, Project Director. Current Project Consultant / Trainer / Grant Writer

Mercy Family Center - Project Fleur-de-lis

Community Treatment and Services Centers - Category III-Louisiana

Funding Period:

2008-2012, 2012-2016, 2016-2021, 2021 - 2026

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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CFTSI is a brief (5‐8 session), evidence‐based early intervention for children 7 to 18 years old that reduces traumatic stress reactions and the onset of PTSD. CFTSI is implemented within 30-45 days following a traumatic event or the disclosure of physical or sexual abuse.

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Board of Regents - State of Louisiana - Power-Based Violence Review Panel 

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Board of Regents - State of Louisiana - Power-Based Violence Review Panel 

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Board of Regents -
State of Louisiana
August 2021

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The Power-Based Violence Review Panel was created by Act 441 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session. This panel is charged with the following tasks:

(1) Evaluating policies and practices of institutions of public postsecondary education, public postsecondary education management boards, and the Board of Regents regarding reporting, investigating, and adjudicating power-based violence by and against students and recommend revisions to improve such policies and practices.

(2) Advising and assisting institutions of public postsecondary education, public postsecondary education management boards, and the Board of Regents in coordinating procedures to provide power-based violence prevention programs.

(3) Serving as an advisory agency to the legislature, the governor, the Board of Regents, and the public postsecondary education management boards regarding power-based violence.
March 4, 2022 Meeting agenda August 3, 2021 Meeting agenda

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The Power-Based Violence Review Panel was created by Act 441 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session. This panel is charged with the following tasks: (1) Evaluating policies and practices of institutions of public postsecondary education, public postsecondary education management boards, and the Board of Regents regarding reporting, investigating, and adjudicating power-based violence by and against students and recommend revisions to improve such policies and practices.

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Scouting America - Youth Protection Committee

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Scouting America - Youth Protection Committee

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BSA Launches New Youth Protection Committee to Help Ensure Safe Scouting - Scouting Newsroom

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IRVING, Texas - October 4, 2023 - The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) convened its inaugural meeting of the Youth Protection Committee on August 30, 2023, at the BSA headquarters. ... Continue reading BSA Launches New Youth Protection Committee to Help Ensure Safe Scouting →

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Wellbeing at Frankfurt International School - A Changemaker Story

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Wellbeing at Frankfurt International School - A Changemaker Story

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Ferdinand and Thomas from Frankfurt International School, dedicated young men have been involved with the Changemaker Conference at FIS from the beginning and their passion is wellbeing are interviewed about their experience They have been working with Dr. Douglas Walker on a project called Peace of Mind. Press play to learn more.

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If you have enjoyed the podcast please take a moment to subscribe, and also please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. The way the algorithm works, this helps our podcast reach more listeners. Thanks from IC for your support.

For more information or to register for the Inspire Citizens Global Citizenship Certificate click here

You can book a discovery call with Inspire Citizens at this link

Share using #EmpathytoImpact

On this episode, I catch up with Ferdinand and Thomas from Frankfurt International School. Both of these dedicated young men have been involved with the Changemaker Conference at FIS from the beginning and their passion is wellbeing. They have been working with Dr. Douglas Walker on a project called Peace of Mind. Press play to learn more.

What is Empathy to Impact ?

Dive into the voices & stories of students who own their learning & impact their communities. Brought to you by Inspire Citizens.

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If you have enjoyed the podcast please take a moment to subscribe, and also please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. The way the algorithm works, this helps our podcast reach more listeners. Thanks from IC for your support.

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Scouting America Youth Protection Committee

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Scouting America Youth Protection Committee

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October 2023 - Present

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BSA Launches New Youth Protection Committee to Help Ensure Safe Scouting - Scouting Newsroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
IRVING, Texas - October 4, 2023 - The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) convened its inaugural meeting of the Youth Protection Committee on August 30, 2023, at the BSA headquarters. ... Continue reading BSA Launches New Youth Protection Committee to Help Ensure Safe Scouting →

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Changemaker Conference | 23 -25 March 2023 | Frankfurt International School, Oberursel

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Changemaker Conference | 23 -25 March 2023 | Frankfurt International School, Oberursel

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The Fall Meeting
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Branson, Missouri USA

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Available upon request

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International Taskforce on Child Protection

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International Taskforce on Child Protection

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The International Taskforce on Child Protection (ITFCP) was formed in 2014, after its members recognized that in order to affect any real change, organizations needed to work together and not in isolation, to set new standards and raise awareness about abuse within international school communities.

The ITFCP’s mandate is to apply the collective resources, expertise, and partnerships of its members to help international school communities address child protection challenges. Now a coalition of 90+ volunteers, ITFCP includes leaders of international education organizations, school leaders, counsellors and teachers, working collaboratively across professions with law enforcement officials and the medical community.

Safeguarding Standards

Supporting CIS member schools & universities

Ongoing Work

The ITFCP now meets regularly to discuss and share good practices and to raise awareness of the challenges facing the international school community in this area, and to help schools to meet these challenges, including through:

the design and implementation of international agreements and standards;

the development of tools and resources for schools to use to strengthen their own child protection and student well-being systems;

the identification of experts who excel in providing support and training to school communities,and the design and delivery of high quality training tailored to the specific needs of international school communities;

establishing a continuing link with Accreditation, Inspection, Law Enforcement and Recruiting agencies to identify areas of challenge that need continuing focus to strengthen school practices;

working alongside and lobbying government agencies around the world to ensure that laws and regulations in their jurisdiction protect children to the greatest extent possible; and

thought leadership and innovative practice, working alongside academics, law enforcement agencies, international charities and experts in a range of disciplines including the law, child protection, child safeguarding and student well-being, medicine and mental health, in order to increase awareness of and protect children against harm and abuse in international school communities.

Founding Members

Jane Larsson, Executive Director, Council of International Schools (Chair)

Colin Bell, Executive Director, Council of British International Schools

Andy Page-Smith, Executive Director, Academy of International School Heads

Christine Brown, Regional Education Officer for Europe, U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Schools

Laura Light, Executive Director, Association for the Advancement of International Education

Liz Duffy, President, International Schools Services

Kam Chohan, Executive Director, ECIS-Education Collaborative for Schools

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international taskforce on child protection

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International Taskforce on Child Protection - CIS Council of International Schools

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The International Taskforce on Child Protection meets regularly to discuss and raise awareness of challenges faced by the international school community.

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March 14, 2022

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International Schools in Crisis: An interview with Doug Walker

The Sea Change Podcast * By Ellen Mahoney * 12 minutes ago

International Schools in Crisis: An interview with Doug Walker

Psychologist Doug Walker joins us to discuss how schools can respond to communities in crisis. We discuss Ukraine, the prolonged stress that COVID has brought, and what communities need in order to be resilient and heal. An important episode for the times we are living in. For more guidance on how school staff can best respond to students in crisis, check out this guide. Doug Walker is the Chief Programs Director at Mercy Family Center in New Orleans. He has practiced as a Clinical Psychologist for the past twenty-three years and is celebrating his 22nd year with Mercy this year. Dr. Walker has worked alongside the international school community since 2006 in providing training and consultation in student and educator mental health and wellbeing. Dr. Walker has served as technical advisor to the US State Department's Office of Overseas Schools in Central America and Africa. He currently serves as a consultant to the Council of International Schools and the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. In 2016, Dr. Walker joined Fukushima University as Fulbright Specialist Scholarship recipient. During his brief tenure in Fukushima City he conducted lectures in disaster mental health, and collaborative research into peer-to-peer support post 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, tsunami and level 7 meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

2022 © Spotify AB

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International Schools in Crisis: An interview with Doug Walker by The Sea Change Podcast

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International Schools in Crisis: An interview with Doug Walker by The Sea Change Podcast

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Psychologist Doug Walker joins us to discuss how schools can respond to communities in crisis. We discuss Ukraine, the prolonged stress that COVID has brought, and what communities need in order to be resilient and heal. An important episode for the times we are living in.

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Moderator: Wellbeing

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For nearly two years international schools have been focused on COVID-19 and mitigation efforts to manage the pandemic and the impact it has had on schools, students, staff and school communities. COVID-19 remains a challenge, however schools need to continue to prepare for a variety of emergency they may face.

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Lessons learned from the Joplin tornado: peer-to-peer mental health programs

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As part of a response to a tornado a decade ago that killed more than 160 people, the Missouri city of Joplin developed a peer-to-peer mental health program that’s been widely replicated.

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Ten years after an EF5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Mo. one side of Virginia Avenue remains vacant while the other side has been rebuilt. (Shane Bevel for The Washington Post)

After a catastrophic tornado leveled a third of Joplin, Mo., in 2011, Mark Rohr sat in a fire station surrounded by a sea of FEMA "blue jackets" and was told that temporary-housing trailers for thousands of residents left homeless by the storm would be delivered "by the first frost."

It was May at the time. The first frost was six months away.

"I turned around, looked up at them and said, 'That's unacceptable. That's too long,'" recalled Rohr, then Joplin's city manager. "If we didn't keep people close to the city, keep the ties, we're going to lose them permanently."

The need to move fast and keep the community together drove every step of Joplin's recovery from the costliest tornado on record, a mile-wide monster that killed 161 people, destroyed 4,500 homes and businesses, and caused nearly $3 billion in damage. The 2011 twister also is the most-studied, and offers vital lessons for rebuilding Mayfield, Ky., and other communities slammed by severe tornadoes that killed at least 90 people last weekend.

Tornado victims: What we know about some of the lives lost in Kentucky

"The first year is all adrenaline. Then people realize the length of time it takes to get back. And you realize how hard it is," said Jane Cage, a small-business owner who helped lead the Joplin rebuilding effort and later was recruited by the Federal Emergency Management Agencyto teach other communities.

"It all takes so much longer than you think," she said.

In the early evening of Sunday, May 22, 2011, Joplin was hit by a multi-vortex F5 stormpacking winds later estimated to have reached 200 miles per hour.Entire neighborhoods were flattened. The main hospital was a total loss. Several schools, churches, a nursing home and dozens of businesses were completely destroyed. At least 10,000 people needed temporary shelter.

Anguish and gratitude as tornado slashed through Amazon warehouse

As they assessed the devastation, Joplin officials quickly set an urgent goal: Keep the city's population at 51,000. They knew some people would move on rather than rebuild. But a mass exodus could bankrupt Joplin, a regional economic hub in Missouri's southwest corner, leading to spiraling losses of people, taxes and momentum.

"We needed to do something to create a vision for where we could end up," Rohr said.

Rohr began talking about rebuilding to honor the memory of those who had died. Early on, he held a news conference almost every day on to update residents on what was happening and to hammer home his vision, invoking "the miracle of the human spirit."

"They had to see that something good could come out of something horrific," Rohr said.

At the time, the long-term goals were fuzzy. But getting there required immediate concrete action. For starters, the streets needed to be cleared.

"We had to clean up to get started on the rebuild," said Gary Shaw, a city councilman at the time.

Thousands of volunteers flocked to the city - so many that Joplin abandoned a plan to limit access to the hardest-hit areas in hopes of deterring looters and gawkers. Federal and state agencies also pitched in.

Once streets were cleared, trucks could haul off the debris from thousands of destroyed homes and buildings. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coordinated the movements. Three million cubic yards of debris were pulled in 68 days - so fast that the city met goals allowing federal and state authorities to pick up almost the entire multimillion-dollar price tag.

None of it was easy. Debris had to be piled before it could be collected. Truck trips had to be coordinated. Landfills had to be willing to take unexpected mountains of trash.

"It was like Hannibal crossing the Alps to get it done," Rohr said.

Once the slate was wiped clean, city officials had to decide what to put back. They argued over changes to the building code. It seemed insane to rebuild houses to the same standards, leaving them vulnerable to the next tornado.

"We wanted to mitigate the risk," said Troy Bolander, head of the city's planning department. "But we're still a blue-collar community. We needed to strike a balance."

About 40 percent of the deaths in Joplin occurred in houses - much higher than the historical average - because of a lack of basements and "inadequate structural conditions," according to a study by Kansas researchers.

In rural Kentucky, small towns were already on the margins. Then came the tornadoes.

Some people wanted to require every house to have a concrete storm shelter. But that would have increased the cost of each new home by $5,000. The city settled on requiring stiffer wall and roof connections, and stronger load systems. That raised the cost, but only by an additional $600 per home, Bolander said.

Joplin officials did decide to add storm shelters when they rebuilt the wrecked schools. Later, they also added storm shelters at schools that had survived the tornado.

The role of collapsed homes and buildings in Joplin's enormous death toll was scrutinized by a team from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - the same federal agency now probing the June condo building collapse in Surfside, Fla. The technical investigation produced 16 recommendations for improving buildings in tornado-prone areas.

So far, however, just one of the recommendations has found its way into building codes across the nation: A new standard for storm shelters. "is only now getting published and only now starting to get adopted," said Marc Levitan, the report's lead investigator.

Bolander described the rebuilding process as a constant balancing act. Big decisions had to be made that would reverberate for years.

"We didn't want to move too fast," he said. "But we didn't want to be so slow as to be discouraging."

Even rapid progress could be obscured by the massive scale of the loss. Joplin has built five new homes a week, on average, in the decade since the tornado. But even at that pace, it has yet to replace every home lost.

In the first weeks after the tornado, pledges of short-term and permanent solutions protected against despair.

Ten public school buildings were destroyed or severely damaged, yet the superintendent promised that students would be back in classrooms on time in the fall, three months later. He accomplished that goal with temporary locations. It took three years before the last of the new replacement buildings - Joplin High - opened up.

The owners of the devastated St. John's Regional Medical Center pledged to rebuild with a new medical campus and keep staff on the payroll, offering services at other locations in the meantime. The new Mercy Hospital Joplin opened four years later.

Residents also had a say in the rebuilding.

Cage, whose small computer business downtown suffered only minor damage, led an advisory group to gather local opinions. It was a chance to reimagine Joplin.

At Cage's first meeting, just a few weeks after the tornado, she heard from a flood of people wanting sidewalks on both sides of the street, new trees and underground utility lines. They wanted walkable neighborhoods.

"A disaster can really be an opportunity to do better," Cage said.

The payoff was a long way off. Joplin received more than $150 million in federal grants, but the funds were spread out over several years. Most of the money went to rebuilding sewers and streets.

Two years after the tornado, when the rebuilding had fallen into a steady rhythm, Cage set out to record what they'd learned. "I felt we were going to lose the institutional knowledge if we didn't write it down," she said.

She got dozens of volunteers to record their advice for other communities hit by disasters, pulled it together as a book and published it on the city's website. The book has been downloaded about 900 times.

"It really comes down to making sure people have a place to work, a place to live, a place for their kids to go to school," Cage said.

The disaster - coupled with the hard work of rebuilding - also took a mental toll. Researchers found high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among teens after the Joplin tornado. Drug abuse increased. Worries about suicide led to a public health slogan: "Don't let one disaster lead to another."

A center for child psychological services opened. St. John's brought in a psychologist to train medical staff how to identify and treat PTSD - and head off long-term problems.

"When things fall off - after the six-month anniversary or the one-year anniversary - most communities feel forgotten," said psychologist Doug Walker, who also did similar work in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

A decade after the tornado, some residents still get nervous when the sky turns stormy. Shaw said he used to stand on his porch and watch the clouds roll in. No more.

"Now when I hear the [tornado] sirens," he said, "I grab my wife and my dog and head to the basement."

Rohr said he still tears up talking about the tornado. In the first year, he pushed away feelings of being shocked and overwhelmed because there was so much work to be done. "I had to sublimate my feelings," he said.

Despite the fervent pace of rebuilding, Joplin's streets still bear scars from the tornado. The trees are shorter in the worst-hit neighborhoods. The homes are newer and look more like traditional subdivisions. And some stairs lead to empty foundations, places still waiting to be rebuilt.

"I don't think we are completely recovered, but we are so far along," Cage said.

Each time someone accesses the book Cage assembled about Joplin's rebuilding campaign, she gets an email notification. Last week, she learned that it had been downloaded by someone near Mayfield. She said she also has been contacted about gathering Joplin residents to talk to people in Mayfield "to reassure them that there's hope."

In the first year after the tornado, Rohr failed in his efforts to maintain Joplin's population. Although he rallied residents and got FEMA to deliver those temporary housing trailers in weeks instead of months - long before the first frost - the city's population dipped by about 1,000 people.

But every year since, more people have called Joplin home than the day the tornado hit - a validation of Rohr's urgent vision.

Rohr isn't one of them, however. In 2014, he was fired after squabbling with the Joplin city council. "Political reasons," said Rohr, who now serves as city manager in a small town in East Texas.

It wasn't the way Rohr wanted to end his campaign to save Joplin.

But in its own way, the return of small-town political infighting was one sign that Joplin was on the road to recovery.

MORE ON THE TORNADO OUTBREAK

HAND CURATED

Biden pledges to cover 100 percent of Kentucky's storm-related costs

December 15, 2021

Tornado victims: What we know about some of the lives lost in Kentucky

December 14, 2021

Tornadoes killed her grandparents. Eight strangers helped her save their photos.

December 13, 2021

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Devastated by a tornado 10 years ago, Joplin, Mo., offers lessons in what comes next

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The need to move fast and keep the community together drove every step of Joplin's recovery from the costliest tornado in U.S. history. The 2011 twister also is the most-studied in U.S. history, and offers vital lessons for rebuilding Mayfield, Ky., and other communities slammed by severe tornados that killed at least 90 people this month.

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Clinical Psychologist MO #2012007383

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Clinical Psychologist LA # 801

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Board of Regents - State of Louisiana - Power-Based Violence Review Panel 

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Board of Regents - State of Louisiana - Power-Based Violence Review Panel 

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Board of Regents -

State of Louisiana

August 2021 - Present

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The Power-Based Violence Review Panel was created by Act 441 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session. This panel is charged with the following tasks:

(1) Evaluating policies and practices of institutions of public postsecondary education, public postsecondary education management boards, and the Board of Regents regarding reporting, investigating, and adjudicating power-based violence by and against students and recommend revisions to improve such policies and practices.

(2) Advising and assisting institutions of public postsecondary education, public postsecondary education management boards, and the Board of Regents in coordinating procedures to provide power-based violence prevention programs.

(3) Serving as an advisory agency to the legislature, the governor, the Board of Regents, and the public postsecondary education management boards regarding power-based violence.
March 4, 2022 Meeting agenda August 3, 2021 Meeting agenda

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The Power-Based Violence Review Panel was created by Act 441 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session. This panel is charged with the following tasks: (1) Evaluating policies and practices of institutions of public postsecondary education, public postsecondary education management boards, and the Board of Regents regarding reporting, investigating, and adjudicating power-based violence by and against students and recommend revisions to improve such policies and practices.

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Advice for school and university leaders: How to support your community

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Advice for school and university leaders: How to support your community

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Mental health and well-being during Coronavirus

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Ministering to Mercy:            Co-Worker Care                March 17, 2021

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Ministering to Mercy:            Co-Worker Care                March 17, 2021

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Moving Forward by Letting Go

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Applying principles of disaster psychosocial recovery to COVID-19 response

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Applying principles of disaster psychosocial recovery to COVID-19 response

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Children's Healthcare Canada

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Applying principles of disaster psychosocial recovery to COVID-19 response

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douglas.walker@mercy.net

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How's Your 5? with Dr. Doug Walker

Jody Seeley and Fawna Bews

On this episode Jody & Fawna are joined by clinical psychologist, Dr. Doug Walker...one of the co-creators of the How's Your 5 mental health tools. Learning how to deepen conversations.

He chats about how is was founded, the work he's done in disaster recovery and the simple ways we can get through this pandemic.

#FunFact: Fawna and Jody are the only Master Trainers of How's Your 5 in Canada!

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How's Your 5? with Dr. Doug Walker - Cake & Eat It Podcast

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On this episode Jody & Fawna are joined by clinical psychologist, Dr. Doug Walker...one of the co-creators of the How's Your 5 mental health tools. Learning how to deepen conversations. He chats about how is was founded, the work he's done in ...

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With a wealth of expertise in cultivating resilience among humans, Dr. Doug Walker Registered Psychologist and Chief Programs Director of Mercy Family Center in St. Louis shares his experience of surviving Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and how this prompted him to develop Project Fleur-de-lis, New Orleans largest school-based Mental Health program devoted to students struggling emotionally and academically.

Listen in to discover the evidence-informed skills for cultivating resilience and learn what Dr. Walker really wants to know when he asks "How's Your 5?"
https://twitter.com/douglaswwalker?lang=en https://www.mercy.net/service/community-mental-health/ https://www.mercy.net/content/dam/mercy/en/pdf/hows-your-5-brochure.pdf

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Episode 14: Dr. Doug Walker - A Resilience Project

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With a wealth of expertise in cultivating resilience among humans, Dr. Doug Walker Registered Psychologist and Chief Programs Director of Mercy Family Center in St. Louis shares his experience of surviving Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and how this prompted him to develop Project Fleur-de-lis, New Orle

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Fulbright Specialist Program Peer Review

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Zero Suicide Committee (Co - Chair)

Behavioral Health Specialty Council

Ministry Emergency Management Committee

Mass Casualty Incident Project (Coordinator Mental Health Response Teams)

Human Trafficking Taskforce

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Mercy is one of the largest U.S. health systems with 44 acute care & specialty hospitals, over 700 physician & outpatient clinics in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri & Oklahoma.

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Community-Based Strategies for Traumatic Climate Events

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CARE & CONNECTEDNESS: COMMUNITY-BASED STRATEGIES FOR TRAUMATIC CLIMATE EVENTS

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). $1.40 million awarded to Mercy Family Center for funding 2008 – 2012.  Grant # 1 SM058776-01. Participation in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) as a Community Treatment and Services Center (Category III).  

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). $1.40 million awarded to Mercy Family Center for funding 2008 – 2012.  Grant # 1 SM058776-01. Participation in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) as a Community Treatment and Services Center (Category III).  

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). $1.65 million awarded to Mercy Family Center for funding 2012 – 2016.  Grant # 2 SM058776-05. Participation in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) as a Community Treatment and Services Center (Category III). 

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). $1.65 million awarded to Mercy Family Center for funding 2012 – 2016.  Grant # 2 SM058776-05. Participation in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) as a Community Treatment and Services Center (Category III). 

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United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). $382,000 awarded to Mercy health system for funding 2013 - 2017. Grant # MO-0738-C17. Mercy Critical Access for Rural Telemedicine Services (CARTS) Program. 

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United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). $382,000 awarded to Mercy health system for funding 2013 - 2017. Grant # MO-0738-C17. Mercy Critical Access for Rural Telemedicine Services (CARTS) Program. 

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AISA Child Protection Handbook (3rd Edition)

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AISA Child Protection Handbook (3rd Edition)

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I am a Clinical Psychologist based in New Orleans, Louisiana, with 30 years of experience as a clinician, Clinical Director, and Chief Programs Director at Mercy Family Center, an outreach ministry of the Mercy health system (St. Louis). For the past 19 years, I have also worked closely with the international school community, developing strong partnerships with regional and international school organizations such as the Council of International Schools (CIS), European Council of International Schools (ECIS), Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), American International Schools in the Americas (AMISA) and the International School Counselor Association (ISCA).

I have provided training and consultation to international school communities in over 30 countries, specializing in mental health and well-being for students, faculty, and staff. With a strong foundation in clinical work with children, adolescents, and adults, I support schools and universities in developing and implementing effective policies, practices, and interventions that foster resilient and healthy learning environments.

In addition, I provide confidential consultation to communities and organizations facing crises, including external and internal threats that disrupt learning and work environments. My expertise includes training in evidence-based and evidence-informed trauma and crisis interventions for schools and communities.

I am available for keynote addresses, workshops, and seminars at professional education and mental health conferences, offering insights on fostering resilience, trauma-informed practices, and crisis response.

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Classroom-Community Consultation. 10 Years after Hurricane Katrina: A Retrospective Look at a Collaborative, School-Based Referral Model

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Classroom-Community Consultation. 10 Years after Hurricane Katrina: A Retrospective Look at a Collaborative, School-Based Referral Model

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The long-term nature of mental health needs after disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, continues to require attention. Research that emerged during the anniversaries of the storm has shown Katrina and its aftermath to be associated with posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, disruptive behavior, and somatic complaints in children and adolescents. Ten years after one of the most devastating storms in U.S. history, lessons can be learned from mental health interventions designed to help children and families cope with trauma. This study takes a retrospective look at Classroom-Community Consultation (C[superscript 3]), a school-based referral model established months after Hurricane Katrina. Developed by Project Fleur-de-lis (PFDL), the largest school-based mental health program in New Orleans, the C[superscript 3] model brought school-based mental health professionals together with PFDL staff in the community to triage students who needed intensive services. Within a case study framework, this study describes the evolution, impact, and implications of C[superscript 3] from the perspective of five former C[superscript 3] participants. Participants shared how and why they became involved with C[superscript 3], the consultation they received, how C[superscript 3] helped them grow as practitioners and connected them with additional resources, and implications for linking community-based and school-based mental health services to be better prepared for any disaster.

Oxford University Press. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX2 6DP, UK. Tel: +44-1865-353907; Fax: +44-1865-353485; e-mail: jnls.cust.serv@oxfordjournals.org; Web site: http://cs.oxfordjournals.org

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ERIC - EJ1135982 - Classroom-Community Consultation (C [superscript 3]) 10 Years after Hurricane Katrina: A Retrospective Look at a Collaborative, School-Based Referral Model, Children & Schools, 2017-Apr

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The long-term nature of mental health needs after disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, continues to require attention. Research that emerged during the anniversaries of the storm has shown Katrina and its aftermath to be associated with posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, disruptive behavior, and somatic complaints in children and adolescents.

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Psychosocial Response and Recovery Evaluation of the RMWB Wildfire 2016 Final Report

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Psychosocial Response and Recovery Evaluation of the RMWB Wildfire 2016 Final Report

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Description

This report is an evaluation of the psychosocial supports offered during the response and recovery of the 2016 wildfire in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB). The report is based on lessons from previous disasters locally, nationally, and internationally, as well as the experience and knowledge of those involved in psychosocial response and recovery, to assess efforts in the RMWB psychosocial response and recovery.

Updated

August 31, 2017

Tags

Fort McMurray Horse River wildfire Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo mental health psychosocial supports wildfires

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Psychosocial response and recovery evaluation of the RMWB wildfire 2016 : final report

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Description This report is an evaluation of the psychosocial supports offered during the response and recovery of the 2016 wildfire in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB). The report is based on lessons from previous disasters locally, nationally, and internationally, as well as the experience and knowledge of those involved in psychosocial response and recovery, to assess efforts in the RMWB psychosocial response and recovery.

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Cadre Network Member
Master Trainer of Evidence- Informed and Evidence-Based Practices

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The CCP supports recovery for survivors of natural and human-caused disasters through community-based outreach, crisis counseling, and other behavioral health services.

States, U.S. territories, and federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply for a CCP grant after a presidential disaster declaration.

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Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC)

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The CCP supports recovery for survivors of natural and human-caused disasters through community-based outreach, crisis counseling, and other behavioral health services. States, U.S. territories, and federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply for a CCP grant after a presidential disaster declaration.

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Mercy Expert Weighs in on Pandemic’s Mental Health Toll

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Mercy Expert Weighs in on Pandemic’s Mental Health Toll

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Dr. Doug Walker has spent years helping communities heal after manmade and natural disasters, but he has never witnessed a situation quite like the global pandemic caused by COVID-19.

"The pandemic is universal and brings us to a place we've never been in our generation," said Walker, PhD, chief programs director and clinical psychologist at Mercy Family Center in New Orleans, an outreach ministry of Mercy. "In other natural disasters, the areas impacted are surrounded by areas that are intact - physically, biologically and economically. There is extra stress and anxiety associated with COVID-19 because there's no way to escape from it and no cavalry coming to provide relief."

Every disaster has its own signature that can impact some people more than others and is often hard to predict, said Walker, a national trauma expert.

As this pandemic brings more uncertainties, Walker believes recovery from a mental health perspective involves understanding how mental health has been impacted, finding ways to manage stress and anxiety and having empathy for the unique experiences of others.

In 2011, Dr. Doug Walker responded to the devastating tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri.

Understanding the stress-to-trauma continuum

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Walker decided to pivot professionally and devote some of his time to helping people who have suffered trauma. He has traveled around the United States and to 25 countries to help design and implement large-scale mental health programs after disasters, including the EF-5 tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri, in 2011, and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along the Gulf Coast in 2010.

In 2016, he traveled to Japan as a Fulbright Scholar, where he glimpsed mass trauma in the communities still recovering from the earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear meltdown and explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. While there, he saw how people could not return back to their homes and how they lived in fear that their food may be contaminated by a type of radiation that will remain in their soil for hundreds of years.

This eye-opening experience in Japan made him see the COVID-19 pandemic through a different lens.

"What makes COVID-19 unique is that you cannot identify or see the danger," said Walker.

What is universal about all disaster situations, however, is that everyone experiences stress and anxiety differently - what he describes as a stress-to-trauma continuum. Some people feel a normal amount of stress and anxiety during threatening situations, while others may be in crisis mode where it is difficult for them to function.

In most cases, Walker believes the COVID-19 pandemic is causing stress and anxiety within normal ranges for most people that will fade over time when things become more certain.

When someone has a direct experience with COVID-19, they may experience trauma - the feeling that their life or health is threatened. Although Walker said there is no evidence yet to support the idea of COVID-19 leading to post-traumatic stress disorder, he believes it is possible. PTSD is a more extreme reaction, where a person who experienced something traumatic replays that experience in their mind and begins to shut down. This can impact their ability to function in their daily lives.

What Walker is most concerned about is a type of trauma called "traumatic grief," which he predicts will be on the rise over the next six to 12 months. Traumatic grief occurs when someone experiences an untimely death and is unable to process it. With COVID-19, there is an added layer - a lack of closure.

"We don't have control over saying our goodbyes either as a personal wish or through a spiritual or religious tradition," he said, noting that many people have been unable to be at the bedside of their loved ones. In cases where their loved one dies due to complications from the disease, they may be unable to have a traditional funeral service or practice certain religious traditions, like burying their loved one within 24 hours, which is the custom of certain religions.

"Because of our inability to have control over the situation and the fact that death may come suddenly, traumatic grief will be fairly common and difficult to address without that sense of closure," said Walker.

Doug Walker, PhD, chief programs director and clinical psychologist at Mercy Family Center in New Orleans, an outreach ministry of Mercy

Practical steps on path to recovery

In order to recover after a disaster or traumatic event, research shows that people need to feel safe, calm, connected to others, have hope and/or believe that they can rebuild or have the ability to become even better.

While there is no playbook on how to handle stress, anxiety, grief or trauma related to COVID-19, Walker recommends adopting these resiliency skills:

Focus on problem solving: When people are stressed or traumatized, the brain tends to focus on survival and often cannot work through problems. With COVID-19, there are a lot of things that are out of our control, but it's important to find creative ways to solve problems. For example, finding ways to successfully work from home, developing strategies to step in as your child's teacher or creating your own face mask.

Manage your reactions: Trying to find calm in a stressful situation is tough. Learn what triggers your emotions and find strategies to calm yourself down, like breathing exercises, meditation or mindfulness activities.

Invest in healthy social connections: Although this is hard to do right now with social distancing, there are virtual ways to connect with each other. This is also a great opportunity to spend meaningful time with the family members or friends in your household.

Participate in positive activities: Although our leisure time activities may be more limited, find activities that make you feel better, like getting outside, exercising, reading a book or watching a good movie.

Practice helpful thinking: This is probably the most complex skill because it requires changing the way you think or feel about a situation. Living along Lake Pontchartrain in a suburb north of New Orleans, Walker witnessed people flocking to his neighborhood over the last few weeks to enjoy the walking paths around the water. Although initially annoyed by the increased traffic and noise, he changed his thinking by reflecting on how happy everyone seemed as they were engaged in healthy activities.

Glimmers of hope and gratefulness

As everyone determines their new normal in the coming weeks, months and years, Walker likes to think that there is light through the storm. He reflects on a poem by Kahlil Gibran from the early 1900s that says, "The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain."

"Through this experience, we are mourning the things we love most and are really grateful for," he said. "We talk about our economies readjusting, but I think our humanness is being readjusted. I hope it sticks and that the way we treat each other and understand the world brings us closer rather than separating us."

Media Contacts

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Mercy Expert Weighs in on Pandemic's Mental Health Toll | Mercy

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Dr. Doug Walker has spent years helping communities heal after manmade and natural disasters, but he has never witnessed a situation quite like the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. "The pandemic is universal and brings us to a place we've never been in our generation," said Walker, PhD, chief programs director and clinical psychologist at Mercy Family Center in New Orleans, an outreach ministry of Mercy.

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dwallacewalker@yahoo.com

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Douglas W. Walker, Ph.D. is the Clinical Director of Mercy Family Center (http://www.mercy.net/neworleansla) in New Orleans, Louisiana.  He is a Clinical Psychologist and Principal Investigator of Project Fleur-de-lis (http://www.project-fleur-de-lis.org/ourstaff.html), a school-based mental health system for 60 New Orleans area schools, a member site of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN.org).  In addition Dr. Walker is a consultant to the Association for International Schools in Africa  (http://www.aisa.or.ke/)and the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (http://www.nctsn.org/) at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has most recently provided training and consultation for Singapore’s Institute of Mental Health in immediate and long-term mental health crisis response.
Throughout 2013, Dr. Walker provided training and consultation to school-based mental health professionals in New York City and Long Island who served students and families impacted by Hurricane Sandy. In addition Dr. Walker assisted Nairobi’s international school community by providing care and guidance to students, parents, teachers and administrators impacted by the Westgate Mall terrorist attack and has served as technical advisor to the US State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools in Africa (http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/) and Guyana’s Ministry of Health (http://www.simplyguyana.com/place/ministry-of-health/) to assist in the dissemination of trauma focused, evidence – based practices.

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Douglas W. Walker, Ph.D. is the Clinical Director of Mercy Family Center (http://www.mercy.net/neworleansla) in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a Clinical Psy

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National Therapist Certification Program:			Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

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National Therapist Certification Program:			Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents or caregivers. Research shows that TF-CBT successfully resolves a broad array of emotional and behavioral difficulties associated with single, multiple and complex trauma experiences. This is the official TF-CBT National Therapist Certification Program, in which clinicians can become certified in the TF-CBT treatment model.
There are several steps to the process to become certified in TF-CBT:

1. Please review TF-CBT Certification Criteria to ensure that you are eligible to apply for certification;

2. Register for the site with a Username and Password;

3. Complete the Certification Application;

4. You will then receive an email indicating that you have met the eligibility criteria and are approved;

5. Take the TF-CBT Certification Program Knowledge-Based Test

If you have any questions about the process, please contact us at: tf-cbt@wpahs.org.

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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) - Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents or caregivers. Research shows that TF-CBT successfully resolves a broad array of emotional and behavioral difficulties associated with single, multiple and complex trauma experiences. This is the official TF-CBT National Therapist Certification Program, in which clinicians...

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B.S. in Psychology.               Le Moyne College, Syracuse NY                                                               

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B.S. in Psychology.               Le Moyne College, Syracuse NY                                                               

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May 1985

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Le Moyne College: a Private Jesuit College | Syracuse NY

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Welcome to Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, Upstate New York's Jesuit, Catholic college. Learn more about our majors, how to apply, values, & life as a Dolphin.

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M.S. in Sport Psychology. Ithaca College,                  Ithaca, NY.

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M.S. in Sport Psychology. Ithaca College,                  Ithaca, NY.

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May 1988

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Explore life at Ithaca College, where you can challenge your thinking, stretch your boundaries, and grow into your greatest self.

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M.S. in Psychology.											University of North Texas, Denton, TX.

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M.S. in Psychology.											University of North Texas, Denton, TX.

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May 1994

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Psychology professor feels "representation is extremely important" Studies: Cultural humility offers healing balm in the Culture Wars Trent Petrie Works to Improve Athletes' Performance, Well-Being Talk therapy may help soldiers combat Insomnia UNT researchers to study flu vaccine response and quality of sleep in hospital nurses Congratulations to the 2016 Foundation for Rehabilitation Psychology Dissertation Award Recipients Ph.D.

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Ph.D. in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine.                     University of North Texas, Denton, TX.  

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Ph.D. in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine.                     University of North Texas, Denton, TX.  

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August 1995

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Psychology professor feels "representation is extremely important" Studies: Cultural humility offers healing balm in the Culture Wars Trent Petrie Works to Improve Athletes' Performance, Well-Being Talk therapy may help soldiers combat Insomnia UNT researchers to study flu vaccine response and quality of sleep in hospital nurses Congratulations to the 2016 Foundation for Rehabilitation Psychology Dissertation Award Recipients Ph.D.

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Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Psychology	                                    Children's Hospital,  New Orleans, LA.  

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Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Psychology	                                    Children's Hospital,  New Orleans, LA.  

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August 1996

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Children’s Hospital New Orleans | Pediatric Hospital in Louisiana

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Children’s Hospital New Orleans is the first and largest full-service hospital exclusively for children in Louisiana and the Gulf South. Learn more.

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Postdoctoral Fellowship in Infant Mental Health	Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry, Harris Center for Infant Mental Health, New Orleans, LA

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Postdoctoral Fellowship in Infant Mental Health	Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry, Harris Center for Infant Mental Health, New Orleans, LA

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July 1999

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Overview | Faculty | Orleans Parish Infant Team | Young Children and Military Families | Developmental Disorder Assessment | On-Going Community Engagement | Training Collaborations | Head Start Consultation | Community Parent-Child Groups | Resources | Curriculum

During the infant mental health training, clinicians learn how to conduct infant and parent/caregiver-child relationship evaluations and provide treatment for young children (under 6 years) and their parents or caregivers using evidence-based practices. Education includes didactics and clinical experiential work every week related to developmental context, behavioral and emotional issues, and the etiology and expression of psychopathology. The training program includes: 1) weekly didactics; 2) development of clinical skills; 3) knowledge gained from infant observation; 4) achievement of evidence-based practices in infant mental health; and 5) participation in both individual and group reflective supervision. Trainees learn the importance of observational skills in diagnosis and treatment of infants, young children, and families and come to understand when a child is referred with behavioral or emotional dysregulation that "behavior has meaning" for both the clinicians and the parents with whom they work. Trainees also learn more about normative infant development in addition to psychopathology by following the development of a low risk, normally developing baby as a basis for understanding disruptions in development. During the course of their training, trainees assess and provide treatment for at least two young children under the age of 6 years with their parents or caregivers. Trainees learn child-parent psychotherapy (CPP), a relationship-based approach, which is the primary treatment of choice within the program. If a trainee successfully completes the CPP requirements, they can be rostered in CPP at the end of the training year. All trainees are also taught other evidence-based treatments such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up, and parenting interventions such as Circle of Security. For psychiatrists, they learn alternatives to medication management; trainees from other disciplines are exposed to information about when medications are considered and ways that this approach can also support treatment for older children. Additionally, trainees learn to diagnose children, if needed, using the DC:0-5 classification system.

Joy D. Osofsky, Ph.D
(504) 296-9011
josofs@lsuhsc.edu

Co-Director:
Amy Dickson, Psy.D.
(504) 458-0906
adicks@lsuhsc.edu

Coordinator:
Amy Rinner, Psy.D.
(504) 272-7664
arinn1@lsuhsc.edu

Faculty:
Amy Alvarez, LCSW
Chikira Barker, M.A
Kristin Callahan, Ph.D.
Gerard Costa, Ph.D.
Richard Costa, Psy.D., MP
Sharon Crane, LOTR, BCP
Sebastian Del Corral, Psy.D.
Amy Dickson, Psy.D.
Diane Franz, Ph.D
Amy Huffer, Ph.D.
Mindy Kronenberg, Ph.D.
Lakisha Mamon, M.D.
Christy Mumphrey, MD
Joy Osofsky, Ph.D.
Lisa Phillips, MSW, LMSW
Amy Rinner, Psy.D.
Kathy Robison, Ph.D.
Hannah Scott, M.D.
Jayne Singer, Ph.D.
Phillip Stepka, Psy.D
Krystal Vaughn, Ph.D.
Deborah Weatherston, Ph.D.

Orleans Parish Infant Team
The LSU Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) Department of Psychiatry Infant Team has been continuously funded to provide infant mental health services to all children ages 0-5 years in foster care in Orleans parish since May 1998. In January of 2019, the Infant Team expanded to treat young children in three parishes on the North Shore. As of June 30, 2019, the Infant Team had worked with 280 families with children in foster care. This equates to 430 children referred, with 384 children actually engaging in evaluation and/or treatment. Over the years, the Infant Team has supported the court efforts in helping to attain 100% permanency with all of the children referred to the LSUHSC program by being reunified with either their biological parent(s), adopted by a relative, or by a non-relative foster parent. Once permanency has been achieved, to our knowledge the children have not returned to custody. This team is also a part of one of the early Baby Courts and is a model for best services for young children in foster care.

Additional information about our Infant Team

Developmental Disorder Assessment

Harris Center for Infant Mental Health trainees are taught "gold-standard", empirically informed, standardized assessments of gross and fine motor, language, communication, social interaction, and cognitive ability in order to provide a highly accurate picture of current functioning in young children. Trainees then demonstrate competence administering developmental measures and are closely supervised conducting full-length psychological/developmental assessments with children ages 6 weeks to 6 years of age through LSU Department of Psychiatry Assessment Clinic. Common young child referrals for assessment include differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays, post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma reactions, and disruptive and aggressive behaviors. Heavy emphasis is placed on the possible effects of trauma, home environment, cultural perspectives, and parenting throughout the assessment process. Developmental assessments offer both the patient's family and referring provider with valuable information regarding appropriate diagnoses and concerns in order to guide more specific treatment and referral recommendations (i.e. school accommodations, speech/occupational/physical therapies, medication changes, more specific evaluations).

On-Going Community Engagement

Head Start Consultation

As part of the partnership between Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) and Lafourche Parish Head Start, licensed clinicians from LSUHSC are currently consulting in all Lafourche Parish Head Start Centers for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years. LSUHSC clinicians are routinely on-site at a Head Start on a weekly basis. During each visit, consultants observe classrooms and consult with center teachers, administrators, and participant parents to discuss a wide variety of issues. These issues include, but are not limited to: student mental health or developmental concerns, parenting education and guidance, and classroom management and organization. LSU clinicians also provide trainings at quarterly staff meetings that include, but are not limited to: how to identify and accommodate Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental delays, difficult classroom behaviors, interfacing with parents of students, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), loss and grief in early childhood, and using positive behavior strategies in the classroom. LSU Clinicians also utilize "reflective supervision" within training sessions to empower Lafourche Parish Head Start teachers and administrators to feel more confident in their ability to manage difficult child/parent situations without the presence of a licensed clinician. The reflective supervision is a widely accepted and utilized model within young child programs to develop the context for learning and professional development. Teachers and administrators alike are encouraged to discuss difficult cases, interactions and child presentations in order to learn from each other and build capacity. The core components of reflective supervision that lead to its success are reflection, collaboration, and regularity. As a result of this outreach effort, Lafourche Parish Head Start has asked LSUHSC clinicians to partner with local pediatricians and mental health clinicians to form a "Mental Health Head Start Collaborative" in order to collaborate on issues of infant mental health in Lafourche parish.

Community Parent-Child Groups

Through the LSUHSC Young Child Program established in Federally Qualified Health Clinics LSU clinicians offer monthly bilingual parent-child groups in two primary care clinics and are open to the public. Parents and their young children meet to play in a child-friendly environment to openly discuss the development of their young children. Discussions are conducted in parents' native language (English, Spanish, and Vietnamese) and any questions and/or concerns are encouraged within the group alongside available LSU infant mental health clinicians. Information dissemination occurs on an as needed basis. Parents commune together, support one another, and exchange failures and successes in child rearing. Available clinicians are often directed questions regarding feeding/weight gain, attachment promotion, infant irritability/fussiness, and possible delays in development. Clinicians are available for follow-up at the clinic and at-risk families who are patients of the clinic are encouraged to attend parent-child groups by their primary care provider for additional support.
Recent Publications

1. Osofsky, J.D., Osofsky, H.J., Frazer, A., Olivieri, M., Many, M., Selby, M., Holman, S. & Conrad, E. (February-March, 2021). The importance of ACEs in an intervention program during the perinatal period. American Psychologist, 76, 350-363.

2. Osofsky, J.D. (October 2018) The traumatic effects of child-parent separation and the importance of the relationship. Zero to Three Journal, 70-74

3. Osofsky, J.D. (September 2020). PERSPECTIVES-Supporting Young Children, Families, and Caregivers Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Zero to Three Journal.

4. Osofsky, J.D., Keyes, A.W., Trigg, A.B., Dickson, A. B., & Mamon, L.Y. (December 17, 2020). Telehealth During COVID-19: Advantages, Challenges, and Barriers Across Zero to Three Programs, Zero to Three Journal.

5. Osofsky, J.D., Goldman Fraser, J., Huffer, A., Huddleston, J., Allen, D., Citrin, A., & Gallion, J. (September, 2021).The Safe Babies Court Team approach: Creating the context for addressing racial inequities in child welfare. Zero to Three Journal.

Recent Books

1. Osofsky, J.D., Stepka, P., & King, L.C. (2017). Treating Infants and Young Children Impacted by Trauma: Interventions That Promote Healthy Development. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

2. Osofsky, J.D. & McAlister Groves, B. (Eds) (August, 2018). Violence and Trauma in the Lives of Children: Vol I: Understanding the Impact Vol II: Prevention and Intervention. Praeger Publishers.

3. Osofsky, J.D., Fitzgerald, H., Keren, M., Puura, K. (Eds) (2021, in preparation). WAIMH Handbook of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Two Volumes, Springer Publishers.

4. Mulrooney, K., Osofsky, J.D., Keren, M. (2021, in press). DC:0-5 Casebook. Washington, DC.: Zero to Three Press.

Curriculum
Harris Center for Infant Mental Health 2015-2016 Curriculum
Harris Center for Infant Mental Health 2017-2018 Curriculum

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Overview | Faculty | Orleans Parish Infant Team | Young Children and Military Families | Developmental Disorder Assessment | On-Going Community Engagement | Training Collaborations | Head Start Consultation | Community Parent-Child Groups | Resources | Curriculum During the infant mental health training, clinicians learn how to conduct infant and parent/caregiver-child relationship evaluations and provide treatment for young children (under 6 years) and their parents or caregivers using evidence-based practices.

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January 2011

One of sixteen recipients awarded among Mercy's 38,000 co-workers.  This honor recognizes individuals who exemplify the elements of the Mercy spirit in living out the values of dignity, service, excellence, stewardship and justice.

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Fukushima Japan
Fukushima University
January 2016

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Concept and Design

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The two suicide prevention cubes were designed as a complement to the Project PiP programming. The gatekeeper cube was created to be a reminder for mental health professionals on how to spot risk and do a risk assessment. Adolescents who are trained in the peer mentorship component of Lifelines are provided cubes as a preventative tool for suicide risk.

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Co-creator and manager of Peer-to-Peer conversation to support mental health and wellness

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Our Impact

Born out of Disaster

How's Your 5? was used successfully in Joplin, Missouri, during its recovery from a tornado that devastated the city on May 22, 2011.

Three months after the tornado directly hit their workplace, Mercy Hospital co-workers held a series of community focus groups to identify ways they could support social or emotional recovery and resiliency in children and adults recovering from the tornado. The community identified the How's Your 5? domains of work, love, play, sleep, and diet as areas of concern that had been negatively impacted by the natural disaster.

Because of the intentional focus on How's Your 5?, the community of Joplin and co-workers of Mercy Hospital remain focused on maintaining a healthy state of mind.

How's Your 5? In Action

Broadmoor Improvement Association - New Orleans, LA

Broadmor Improvement Association (BIA) has supported the evolving needs of their diverse community since 1930. Recently, their Wellness Director & Clinical Supervisor, Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin, found that "...we were still disconnected in the way we articulated and connected with our community and internally on exactly what wellness and mental wellness mean for people."

After connecting with the team at How's Your 5?, we developed a training plan that included two on-site sessions, one for internal staff and the other being open to the community. The overall goal was for participants to become more aware of how mental health, physical and community health all contribute to the well-being of the area.

Now members of BIA and the community are pausing more often and really engaging with each other in support of their mental health. BIA is also using the principles learned as a lens through which they can develop more meaningful and supportive programming opportunities for the community.

Follow us on Twitter: @HowsYour5

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How's Your 5? was used successfully in Joplin, Missouri, during its recovery from a tornado that devastated the city on May 22, 2011. Three months after the tornado directly hit their workplace, Mercy Hospital co-workers held a series of community focus groups to identify ways they could support social or emotional recovery and resiliency in children and adults recovering from the tornado.

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Founder of School-Based Trauma-Focused Program
Created October 2005

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Created in October 2005, Project Fleur-de-lis™ (PFDL), a program of Mercy Family Center, began as an intermediate and long-term school-based mental health service program for youth and families who have been and/or continue to be impacted by trauma. PFDL was initially created in direct response to the overwhelming mental health needs of youth and families in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Over the past 12 years, PFDL has evolved to provide evidence-based treatment to youth, military families, and communities who have been impacted by community violence and interpersonal conflict.

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Created in October 2005, Project Fleur-de-lis™ (PFDL), a program of Mercy Family Center, began as an intermediate and long-term school-based mental health service program for youth and families who have been and/or continue to be impacted by trauma. PFDL was initially created in direct response to the overwhelming mental health needs of youth and families in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

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Douglas Walker - Chief Programs Director - Mercy Family Center | LinkedIn

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View Douglas Walker's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Douglas has 10 jobs listed on their profile. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Douglas' connections and jobs at similar companies.

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@DouglasWWalker

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Mental Health of Students During COVID-19

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Mental Health of Students During COVID-19

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Ministering to Mercy:            Co-Worker Care          December 16, 2020

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Ministering to Mercy:            Co-Worker Care          December 16, 2020

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Finding Inner Peace by Managing Your Emotions

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Ministering to Mercy:            Co-Worker Care         November 18, 2020  

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Ministering to Mercy:            Co-Worker Care         November 18, 2020  

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Coping with Crisis: Helpful Thinking Skills and Tips

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Area of Expertise: Student well-being: protection, safety and security

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These CIS Affiliated Consultants provide expertise in specific improvement areas that have been identified as priorities by member schools. The consultants listed here are individuals with proven experience helping schools develop in targeted areas of need. They have been evaluated by CIS to ensure they meet standards for quality service according to stringent application requirements including school references and criminal background checks.

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Consultants - CIS Council of International Schools

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These CIS Affiliated Consultants provide expertise in specific improvement areas that have been identified as priorities by member schools. The consultants listed here are individuals with proven experience helping schools develop in targeted areas of need. They have been evaluated by CIS to ensure they meet standards for quality service according to stringent application requirements including school references and criminal background checks.

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Clinical Psychologist

Mercy Family Center

An Outreach Ministry of Mercy health system

New Orleans - Metairie - Mandeville Louisiana

USA

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International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children

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International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children

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Response Team Member/Consultant
https://www.icmec.org/wp-c

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Global Training and Consultation Footprint

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Global Training and Consultation Footprint

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In-Person Training and Consulting