A myriad of models are available to guide practice before, during, and following disasters. As emphasized in this book, we value the role of research in informing our assessment, education, and intervention efforts in this area. Keeping an eye on those elements that have research backing certainly assists with quality control generally. However, more specifically, we also stress the idea that there is evidence to support a role for hope and positive expectations in the motivation and engagement process. In addition, the more that people, including youth and adults, actively participate in efforts designed to help, the more benefits they tend to receive. The role of research in providing that initial hope and inspiring more active engagement with internal and external resources before, during, and after a disaster is part of the foundation of our practice in this area. In fact, in the clinical psychology training program directed by the senior author, the idea that we attempt to inculcate with our trainees is the idea of ¿hope and engagement on an evidence-based foundation.¿ Consequently, we do advocate for models of practice that have identified ¿active ingredients¿ that are included: those particularly identified through controlled evaluation research. However, it is also the case that a number of risk and protective factors identified through a number of studies (e.g., see Chapter 2) have as yet to be systematically included.

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.

Introduction to a Community Resilience Framework.- Community Resilience to Disasters: Introduction to Theory and Review of Research.- Community Resilience: The Role for Schools, Youth and Families.- Community Resilience: A Partnership and Multidisciplinary Perspective.- Promoting Resilience: Readiness and Risk Reduction.- Promoting Resilience: Response.- Promoting Resilience: Recovery.- Putting It All Together: Evidence Based Guidelines for Practice.- The Research-Practice Interface and Recommendations.- Appendices.- References.- Index.