Newswise — The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) and The Society for Consulting Psychology (SCP), divisions of the American Psychological Association, are providing free assistance to workers and organizations affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
"Thousands of workers, businesses and organizations of all sizes have been dislocated and damaged and our members are available to facilitate people's return to the workforce as well as the resumption of business operations," said Dr. Steven Rogelberg of the University of North Carolina Charlotte. He is heading a special committee called KARE (Katrina Aid and Relief Effort) to direct the efforts of psychologists able to help people rebuild work lives and organizations.
SIOP and SCP members are workplace and consulting psychologists and committee members have extensive experience dealing with disasters, significant change events, and helping both workers and organizations implement recovery and development plans.
Dr. Vicki Vandaveer, president of the Vandaveer Group in Houston, said "access is one of SIOP and SCP members' greatest resources. We have access to a wide range of potential services, everything from clinical and counseling help as well as assistance with re-employment, rebuilding of organizations and businesses and careers."
She added "access also means connection with corporations for employment/temporary contracting assistance as well as supporting other outreach efforts." Rogelberg said "we are in the process of identifying people and organizations who have needs and matching those needs with our society's members who can help."
He said SIOP and SCP members can assist workers and organizations by providing vocational counseling, training, coaching, team-building, employee selection advice, interview preparation, job search strategies, leadership development, employee surveys to assess worker attitudes and well-being, and general consultation on organizational effectiveness.
Other members and affiliates have the expertise to assist organizations in rebuilding their work force and managing the anticipated emotional aftermath of the disaster.
SIOP President Dr. Leaetta Hough said "SIOP has caring members who are uniquely qualified and committed to creating opportunities to help solve these long term needs."
SIOP and SCP have the following website and toll-free number to assist people with immediate needs, as well as provide access to experts on a wide variety of workplace and organizational development issues: (http://www.siop.org/kareonline/main.htm) / (1-800-535-4126).
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