#FEMA
FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS
PROVIDING CRISIS COUNSELING FOR THE STATE OF CALFORNIA
OVERVIEW
Painted Brain FEMA Staff has been working on a DMH “Access for All” project for the health needs assessment of populations with disabilities in Los Angeles County throughout all of its eight service planning areas.
This project aims to include the blind, partially sighted and visually impaired communities, the deaf community, and the physically or mobility-impaired communities.
The goal of this project is to increase capacity in the access of mental health and other community services and programs, and we have begun this process by creating resource guides for each of these three communities.
This is an ongoing project and Painted Brain will be conducting focus groups within each of these communities with disabilities as a part of their mental health needs assessment.
Painted Brain’s Peer Support Specialist services are community-based and take place anywhere survivors are. Our services include supportive crisis counseling, psycho-education, development of coping skills, and linkage to appropriate resources. Our main goal and objective is to assess and refer members of the community who are in need of intensive mental health and substance use treatment to appropriate community resources.
Our peer support specialists also engage community gatekeepers and organizations through direct contact with stakeholder groups, such as unmet-needs committees, and participation in community events to facilitate response activities and services to survivors.
SERVICES OFFERED
CRISIS COUNSELING
Painted Brain peer counselors provide crisis intervention and management to individuals impacted by COVID and other trauma-related challenges.
PEER-RUN GROUPS
Painted Brain facilitates peer-run groups for individuals and parent/caregivers experiencing mental health challenges.
LINKAGES
Painted Brain provides in-house and partner resources including linkages for peers to access support.
