I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Crisis Assessment and Intervention

2. Course Prefix & Number:
HSER 2102

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course focuses on developing the student’s knowledge of models, concepts, and skills of crisis work. Students will learn strategies and techniques for crisis intervention and assessment, and will practice stabilization skills and linking clients to relevant referrals after a crisis has occurred. Additionally, the importance of self-awareness and self-care in crisis work is emphasized throughout the course.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Human Services AAS
Human Services Technician Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills	Demonstrate effective tone, body language, and verbal communication when intervening in a crisis through the use of role plays.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Complete assessment process utilizing theories of crisis intervention.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Understand how diverse cultures are at increased risk to crisis.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Define crisis;
• Understand ethical and professional issues;
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of crisis intervention theory;
• Conceptualize trauma-informed care and understand its importance;
• Understand suicide risk and differentiate suicide from non-suicidal injury (NSSI) and self injurious behavior (SIB);
• Describe current models of crisis assessment and intervention;
• Demonstrate basic assessment, intervention, and referral techniques;
• Understand chronic and acute risk factors;
• Identify personal triggers and healthy responses to countertransference in crisis work; and
• Understand cultural considerations in crisis work.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Overview of Crisis Intervention
• Crisis Defined
• Crisis as Both Danger and Opportunity
• Precipitating Events
• Developmental Crises
• Situational Crises
• Emotional Distress
2. Models of Crisis Intervention
   • Current Approaches
   • Emerging Trends
3. The Crisis Worker
   
   • Self-Awareness
   • Compassion Fatigue
   • Self-Care
   • Bias, Triggers, and Countertransference
   • Person Centered Approach
4. Factors in Crisis Work
   
   • Chronic Risk
   • Acute Risk
   • Mental Health Diagnosis
   • Environmental Implications and Impact
5. Intervening with Crises Related to Danger to Self and Others
• Suicide Risk
• Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) and Self Injurious Behavior (SIB)
• Intervening with a Client who is a Danger to Others
• Psychosis
6. Crises of Loss: Death, Relationship Breakups, and Economic Loss
• Death and Dying
• Divorce and Separation
• Job Loss
7. Crisis Related to Community Disaster
• Natural Disasters
• Man Made Disasters
8. Crises Related to Military Service
9. Crises Related to Trauma
10. Crises Related to Sexual Activity
• Teen Pregnancy
• Issues Related to Abortions
• Issues Related to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
11. LGBTQ and Crisis Risk
12. Substance Use Related Disorders and Crises
13. Ethical and Professional Issues
14. Crises Related to Aging, Serious Physical Illness, and Disabilities
15. Stabilization and Follow Up
    
    • Skills
    • Resource Identification and Connection
    • Quality Referrals