Freeborn County

Crisis Response Team

 

Freeborn County Crime Victim’s Crisis Center has established a community Crisis Response Team (CRT).  Below is a short list of some commonly asked questions regarding the CRT.

 

What is the Crisis Response Team (CRT)?

 The CRT is a group of volunteers who are trained to go out into the community to be supportive to groups of people who have been traumatized by disaster.  Disaster could be natural/man-made; for example, a tornado, flood, school shooting, or groups affected by crime.

 

What would CRT do to help?

 The CRT would meet with a group of individuals affected by natural or man-made disaster to support them, offering them a chance to share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns about the disaster.  The group intervention would generally take place 24 to 72 hours after the disaster at a location convenient for the participants.

 

Who could access CRT?

 CRT could be accessed when a group of individuals has been affected or traumatized by any type of disaster.  The CRT on-call volunteer would get details and arrange a meeting time and place for those affected.

 

How is CRT run?

 CRT is coordinated by the Crime Victim’s Crisis Center of Freeborn County.  CRT is based on the model established by the National Organization of Victim Assistance (NOVA).  Currently, there are 40 plus volunteers.  It is the hope of the CRT that there will be a pool of 50 volunteers that may be called upon if the need arises.

 

Community Education:

 CRT is willing to speak to any business, industry, or community group to provide more information about accessing the team and volunteer opportunities.

 

Volunteer Opportunities:

 40 hours of initial training is provided for CRT applicants.  For more general information or information on how to become a CRT volunteer, contact the Crime Victim’s Crisis Center at 377-5460.

 

Services:

 To access the services of CRT, contact the pager at 1-507-444-1030.  The On-Call CRT volunteer will respond to your call within one hour.

 

Financial Support:

If you wish to contribute toward the support of CRT, identify as such and forward to the above address.