Mission
The KCCRT equips first responders, disaster survivors, and communities in Kentucky to cope with
trauma and build resilience.
Vision
First responders, disaster survivors, and communities in Kentucky will be safe, strong, and more
resilient.
Services Offered
KCCRT delivers two primary types of support:
- Psychological First Aid: Activated by a Governor’s Disaster Declaration, we provide immediate support during natural or man-made disasters.
- Rapid Assessment & Response Teams: Deployed on request to mitigate stress reactions following critical incidents and traumatic events.
Our History
- Late 1980s: Initiated by the Kentucky Department for Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services, the Kentucky Post-Trauma Response Team (PTRT) was formed to support communities and emergency responders affected by trauma.
- 1994: A full-time staff member was employed to work with the KCCRT board, evolving from the PTRT.
- 1996: The Kentucky Community Crisis Response Board (KCCRB) was established by the General Assembly as a separate administrative body.
- 1997: KCCRB responded to the Flood of 1997, affecting 90 of 120 counties.
- 1998: The office was transferred to the Department of Military Affairs, enhancing administrative support and collaboration with educational and emergency management agencies.
- 2000: A task force developed the School-Centered Emergency Management and Recovery Guide, improving school crisis preparedness and recovery.
- 2001-2002: The School-Centered Emergency Management & Recovery Guide was distributed, and the Law Enforcement Peer Team and Family Support Teams were established.
- 2006-2007: Expanded outreach with behavioral health centers for statewide coordination and pre-incident planning.
- 2022: The office was transferred to the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. The KCCRB was dissolved, and KCCRT was officially established.