Medical Library Association | Education : Disaster Information Program

Disaster Information Specialization Program

The Medical Library Association (MLA) Disaster Information Program developed by MLA and the National Library Medicine (NLM) is a continuing education program that provides participants the opportunity to expand their roles by offering training in providing access to information for disaster and emergency preparedness, response and recovery. The Program offers an approved curriculum of courses and other educational activities that allow participants to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to support their institutions and communities in times of disaster or public health emergencies.

Upon completion, participants receive a document as informal acknowledgment of their educational effort. MLA suggests that this achievement be added to resumes and vita as an educational and professional accomplishment. MLA contact hours earned through the Disaster Information Specialization Program may also be used for MLA's Academy of Health Information Professionals.

What's New
The Medical Library Association (MLA) and the National Library Medicine (NLM) are currently developing new courses for the Disaster Information Specialization (DIS) program. Details for upcoming courses are listed below. Health and Disasters: Understanding the International Context (Register now for on-demand course.) A Seat at the Table: A Step-by-Step Approach to Working with Local Responders (Register now for on-demand course.) Ethical and Legal Aspects of Disaster Response (Register now for on-demand course.) *US Response to Disasters and Public Health Emergencies* (Register now for on-demand course.) *Information Roles in Disaster Management* (Register now for on-demand course.)
eLearning Opportunities
*US Response to Disasters and Public Health Emergencies* *Information Roles in Disaster Management* Ethical and Legal Aspects of Disaster Response A Seat at the Table: A Step-by-step Approach to Working with Local Responders *Health and Disasters: Understanding the International Context*	*Disaster Health Information Sources: The Basics* (Register now to view On-demand) *IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction* (Available online at no cost from FEMA Emergency Management Institute.) *IS-100.b - Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100* (Available online at no cost from FEMA Emergency Management Institute.) *Disaster Information Outreach Symposium* (Up to 10.5 hours may qualify for Advanced level)
Upcoming Classroom-based Opportunities
*TBA*
Program Goal	Eligible participants
The goal of the Disaster Information Program is to develop the capacity of librarians and other interested professionals to support their institutions and communities throughout the disaster/emergency cycle of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.	Librarians, library staff, informationists and information professionals including those affiliated with medical, public, academic, special or any other types of libraries. Disaster workforce including health professionals, allied health professionals, public health workers, first responders, emergency managers, community volunteers and others that play a role in health-related disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Levels and Requirements: Basic Level	Advanced Level
The Basic Disaster Information Program is for those who desire a basic familiarity with disaster health information resources. Basic level has 5 required courses. See the NLM Disaster Information Model Curriculum for more details. Participants have three years to gather the contact hours needed to apply for the specialization. Renewal requires an additional eight hours every 3 years.	The Advanced Disaster Information Program is for those who wish to gain additional training in disaster health information. Obtaining this more advanced level requires completion of 27 contact hours (Basic Level and an additional 12 hours at the Advanced Level) as outlined in the NLM Disaster Information Model Curriculum. Participants have three years to gather the contact hours needed to apply for the specialization. Renewal requires an additional eight hours every 3 years.
Completing Application
Participants complete required courses for Basic Level and an additional 12 contact hours if applying for the Advanced Level. (See NLM Disaster Information Model Curriculum for more details.) Complete the application and attach certificates or other proof of completion for each course or activity submitted. Fill out an Individual Participant Request (IPR) form for credit, if educational activity is not from the NLM Disaster Information Model Curriculum. Send in the completed application, course documentation and application fee to MLA. If applicable, send in completed IPR form. MLA will process the application and, on approval, send a document of completion recognizing the achievement.
Resources and Application Forms	Other Resources
Application Individual Participant Request (IPR) Form Disaster Information Specialization Policies and Procedures NLM Disaster Information Model Curriculum	Disaster Information Outreach Survey (results summary) Disaster Information Outreach Specialization Presentation NLM Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC)

If you have any questions about the planning of the Disaster Information Specialization program, please do not hesitate to contact Debra Cavanaugh at 312-419-9094 x32 or mlapd3@mlahq.org.

This project is funded by the National Library of Medicine under contract HHS-N-276-2010-00782-P.

Disaster Information Specialization Program

What's New