Great Plains Disaster Behavioral Health Conference

The Great Plains Disaster Behavioral Health Conference is for psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health care providers, public health officials, nurses, clergy, emergency managers, and first responders to learn and recognize how to prepare and respond to the psychological effects of disaster and mass casualties.

2015 Conference

July 10, 2015

Hilton Omaha

1001 Cass Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68102

Conference Speakers

Jeff Dill, MA

Captain at Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in Inverness, Illinois and a member of the American Counseling Association, Illinois Counseling Association, Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, International Associations of Fire Chiefs, Illinois Professional Firefighters Association, and is a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters

Jeff holds a Master’s degree and is a Licensed Counselor. He is a Captain at Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in Inverness, Illinois and is a member of the American Counseling Association, Illinois Counseling Association, Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, International Associations of Fire Chiefs, Illinois Professional Firefighters Association, and is a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters. In 2009, Jeff Dill organized Counseling Services for Fire Fighters and in 2011 established the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA). The mission of CSFF mission was to offer behavioral health workshops to support firefighters, train senior officers and educate clinicians on the benefits of understanding the life and emotions of firefighters. FBHA was established to directly educate firefighters/ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and their families about behavioral health issues such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and addictions, as well as firefighter suicides.

Sara Gilman, MS, LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist, owner and President of Coherence Associates, Inc.

Sara Gilman is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, owner and President of Coherence Associates, Inc. a professional counseling corporation. She has an M.S. in Psychology. Sara is a former San Diego Rural Firefighter/EMT, CISM Certified, a Fellow with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Past-President of the EMDR International Association Board of Directors. She serves on the Board of the 911 Wellness Foundation as the Chief Mental Health Officer. She consults with First Responder agencies to build strong peer support teams and integrate EMDR therapy as a front line treatment. She has lectured nationally on the subject of first responder stress.

Gina Larson, MA, ABD

Former Assistant Dean of a Master of Arts in Counseling program and current instructor of both Graduate and Undergraduate courses at Doane College

Gina Larson is a former Assistant Dean of a Master of Arts in Counseling program and current instructor of both Graduate and Undergraduate courses at Doane College, she teaches ethics for students preparing to work in the helping professions. Her background includes teaching varied communication courses as well as Career/Lifestyle Counseling course. Larson received her BA from Doane College and her MA as well as ABD status for her PhD in Psychological and Cultural Studies from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Larson has been consulting businesses varying in size from family owned to large organizations for over 10 years assisting in growth, performance, and productivity. Developing customized programs designed to meet the unique needs of each organization for improved performance and retention.

Conference Materials

Brochure

Conference Agenda

Conference Sponsors

Project Partners

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Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
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Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
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Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

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Disclaimer

This website is part of a coordinated effort on behalf of the U.S. Federal Government and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, Division of Behavioral Health, and the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center. Funding was made possible [in part] by U3REP190555 from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The views expressed in written materials or publications do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or the State of Nebraska.