Promoting Community Resilience In Disasters: The Role For Schools, Youth, And Families

Although many books discuss trauma and adjustment to trauma, this is the first reference to focus on schools and other related community-based networks as gateways to assisting children and families to prepare for and to cope with a large scale disaster. The text assesses risk and readiness as well as active education programs for schools, children, and families, the public at large, and organizations and government. Drawing on a multidisciplinary framework, this volume promotes community resilience and readiness, response and recovery.

Kevin Ronan has been working in the hazards and disasters area for the past decade. He has an ongoing interest in community resilience and prevention work in this and other areas (e.g., conduct disorder and delinquency in youth and families). He has been the Director of Clinical Psychology Training at Massey University for a number of years and stresses evidence-based practice with trainees. In addition, the idea of accountability for producing outcomes is an emphasis in the training program and in his practice. He has published widely in the area of hazards and disasters.

David Johnston has been employed with the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, New Zealand since 1993 and his research is focused on reducing the vulnerability of society, economy and infrastructure to hazards. He has been involved in developing integrated risk management strategies for different hazard events, using techniques such as scenario development, mitigation planning and community education programs. He is also interested in assessing social and economic impacts of natural and environmental hazard events.