Resource Tag: CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

This article discusses 4 organizational models for hotline telephone services & stresses the importance of developing policies & guidelines/standards to assure communities that their hotlines provide qualified services. It notes that of several thousand hotlines in the USA, only 78 are certified. Two vital issues that differentiate hotlines from mental & social services: anonymity & […]

This manual provides information on the requirements for the certification of crisis workers by the American Association of Suicidology. Core materials & approved training courses are outlined as are the examination procedures. The requirements for recertification are mentioned. An application form is included.

This article examines efforts at certification within the death & dying field, with particular emphasis on the certification program established by the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). Some of the benefits & potential controversies regarding ADEC’s certification program are highlighted. General issues for consideration with respect to certification activities are also discussed. (13 […]

This document provides a list of American crisis centres which provide consultation services. Information on each centre’s areas of expertise is also presented.

The author examines the certification practices of the LASPC in sociological terms. Practical action & sociological reasoning are characterized in SPC methods, which the author presents under the headings of Practical Sociological Reasoning, Problems Dealing with the Practical Accomplishment of Rational Action, & Programatic Considerations. 7 Ref. (NBB)

The certification of suicide as the mode of death is often contested in court by the survivors, particularly if life insurance benefits are at stake. Certification of suicide must meet the standard of proof required in law if it is to be sustained by the courts. Standard of proof & contingent common law doctrines are […]

The authors present the client management system developed at the Alachua County Crisis Center, which is designed to cost-efficiently utilize limited resources to meet service demands. Clients are divided into 5 categories: crisis cases, self-injury cases, active support cases, general support cases, & single contact cases. Management needed for each case is set by the […]

Many of the suicide prevention centers that developed throughout the country during the last decade have evolved into general crisis intervention services. At the same time, they have stimulated the development of a wide variety of agencies that utilize nonprofessional volunteers who, primarily through telephone contact, provide helping services to people in crisis. This paper […]

A statement of purpose, objectives, & principles for suicide prevention & crisis intervention organizations, developed by the AAS (1985). (NBB)

This comprehensive study by an official of the Samaritans discusses the role of volunteers in suicide prevention & support of the depressed. International statistics as to numbers of centres & volunteers, & annual number of new calls are given. Crisis centre standards, guidelines for selection & training of volunteers is discussed, as are on-the-job problem […]

This article deals with the application of traditional management principles to crisis & intervention services. Some specific management problems of nonprofit organizations–funding, volunteers, 24-hour service, planning, advisory or governing boards–are discussed by Liz Jones. J.D. Thigpen outlines common characteristics of companies that excel & also lists the characteristics of an effective manager. (note: this a […]

Dr. R. Fox cites differences between suicide prevention services in the United Kingdom & those offered in the United States. Factors which may account for different results between the two countries are listed in point form & include: publicity & public image, uniform standards, type of service offered, confidentiality & civil rights, professional versus volunteer […]

A program of caregiver education has been tested in the province of Alberta by a pilot study involving more than 2000 participants. Two-day foundation workshops are designed to assist the caregiver in the recognition of persons at risk, the evaluation of suicidal behaviour, & in the use of appropriate resources & referrals in managing the […]

This manuscript presents a code of ethics for individual & center members of the American Association of Suicidology. The code is presented systematically in point form, covering issues of integrity, competence, moral standards, legal standards, representation, public statements, confidentiality, welfare of person receiving crisis services, relationship with the person receiving crisis services, offering of services, […]

Life-line, a support group established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was created to help persons who have attempted or seriously considered suicide explore other possible solutions. Details of the group’s formation, operation, and acceptance by both clients and the professional community are summarized by a life-line worker involved in the formation of the group.(NBB)

History and background information on the development of standards for suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers is given and also an up-date on the progress and accomplishments of the AAS task force on certification. Author discusses reasons why crisis and suicide prevention centers should seek AAS certification.

Provides a summary of certification procedures issued by the American Assocation of Suicidology and gives samples of evaluation materials that must be completed by agencies applying for certification.

Standards for the establishment of suicide prevention and crisis centres covering organization; staffing; training; services provided; ethical standards and program evaluation. (KB)

Detailed description of the philosophy and organization of the Samaritans, plus short papers on various aspects of counselling. (KB)