Syllabi — US‑NYS Chaplain Response Team, Inc. (US‑NYSCRT)
Effective: November 2025 • Contact: cpanameno@nyscrt.org • (516) 713‑4922 • NYSCRT.org
Core Disclosures
Religious Non-Degree Status. US‑NYSCRT provides religious, non-credit, non-degree training. ACPE Disclosure. US‑NYSCRT is not an ACPE-accredited center and does not award ACPE units. ACPE units are earned only at ACPE-accredited centers.
Pathway. Our training is pre-CPE preparation. See /pathway-bcc/.
I. Basic Chaplain Certificate — Syllabus (FOUNDATION)
Course Code: USNYS‑BASIC
Format/Hours: ~28 clock hours over 9 weeks (≈ 2 hrs./week)
Meeting: Fridays 7:00–9:00 p.m. (Uniondale, NY / Live Online)
Instructor: Rev. C. A. Panameño (or designee) • Office hours by appointment
Description
Foundational ministry training for chaplaincy in community and crisis contexts. Emphasis on interfaith presence, trauma-aware care, ethics/confidentiality, and coordinated service with community partners.
Prerequisites
- Age 18+, government photo ID, HS diploma/equivalent
- Pastoral/character reference (as requested)
- Basic tech access for online cohorts
Co/Post‑requisites (external; proof required to issue credential)
- CPR
- FEMA ICS‑100 / Introduction to ICS
- Concepts of Religious Literacy for Emergency Management
Course Materials
- US‑NYSCRT Basic Reader (provided)
- Handouts, case forms, and checklists (provided)
Learning Outcomes (graduates will be able to…)
- Define the role/scope of a community chaplain in interagency settings.
- Conduct a brief spiritual/psychosocial screening and make responsible referrals.
- Demonstrate ethics: confidentiality, boundaries, and documentation basics.
- Apply trauma-aware presence in hospitals, shelters, and community sites.
- Respond pastorally to grief, DV/abuse disclosures, addiction, and mental‑health crises (within chaplain scope).
- Communicate and de-escalate with cultural/language sensitivity.
- Coordinate care with EMS/LE/Fire, faith communities, and NGOs.
Assessment & Completion (Pass/No‑Pass)
- Attendance: ≥ 90% of scheduled hours
- Participation/Practical: Satisfactory (role‑plays, scenarios)
- Final Exam: 50 questions, score ≥70%
Credential Issued: Basic Chaplain Certificate (religious, non-credit) upon meeting all requirements and submitting co/post‑requisite proofs.
Weekly Schedule (subject to cohort calendar)
- Week 1 — What is a Chaplain? History; About CPE; scope & boundaries
- Week 2 — Services, Duties, Spiritual Assessment; Assisting the Homeless
- Week 3 — Interfaith Ministry; Disaster Spiritual Care; 7 Steps of CISD; Personal Readiness
- Week 4 — Chaplain in Multiple Settings (hospital, shelter, corrections); Self‑Care
- Week 5 — Domestic Violence & Abuse; Helping Abused Women
- Week 6 — Substance Use: Drugs & Alcohol (use/abuse/addiction)
- Week 7 — Grief & Bereavement; Mental Illness; Death Notification
- Week 8 — Elder & Child Abuse; Bullying/Cyber‑bullying; Autism Interaction
- Week 9 — Anger Mgmt.; Suicide Prevention; Conflict Resolution • Final Exam
Key Policies (summary)
- Conduct: Interfaith, non-denominational respect; no coercive proselytizing.
- Confidentiality: Follow scene protocol and documentation standards.
- Make-ups: Instructor discretion within published timelines.
- Refunds/Complaints: See /catalog-policies/ (governing version).
- Accessibility/Non-Discrimination: Reasonable accommodation available upon request.
II. First Response Chaplain Certificate — Syllabus (ADVANCED)
Course Code: USNYS‑FR
Format/Hours: 16 clock hours
Delivery Options:
- Option A: 4 evenings × 4 hrs. (e.g., Tue/Thu, 2 weeks)
- Option B: 2 Saturdays × 8 hrs. (includes live drills)
Instructor: Rev. C. A. Panameño (or designee) • Guest instructors as available
Description
The Basic module focused on operational readiness for incident command environments. Based on SCA’s First Response Chaplain Training Manual, it emphasizes rapid spiritual triage, interagency coordination, documentation, and resilience.
Eligibility
- Required: Basic Chaplain Certificate (US‑NYSCRT or recognized equivalent with proof)
- Strongly recommended: FEMA ICS‑200 and IS‑700; current CPR
Required Texts (both editions mandatory)
- First Response Chaplain Training Manual — English ($70)
- First Response Chaplain Training Manual — Spanish ($60)
(Manuals used with permission; reproduction not permitted.)
Learning Outcomes (graduates will be able to…)
- Explain ICS basics and the chaplain’s role at hot/warm/cold zones with PPE and safety.
- Perform rapid spiritual screening and brief interventions on scene.
- Execute defusing/CISM tasks and support death notifications with LE/EMS.
- Operate in MCI/shelter contexts (family assistance, morgue interface).
- Produce concise, admissible‑quality notes and clean handoffs.
- Demonstrate cultural/linguistic readiness (bilingual scripts; interpreter use).
- Apply team‑care practices to reduce burnout and compassion fatigue.
Assessment & Completion (Pass/No‑Pass)
- Attendance: ≥ 90% of scheduled hours
- OSCE/Scenarios: Satisfactory performance (radio traffic, scene approach, triage, documentation)
- Knowledge Check: 25 items, score ≥70%
Credential Issued: First Response Chaplain Certificate (Advanced); optional rocker/patch and ID designation update.
Session Plan (choose A or B per cohort)
Option A — 4 Evenings
- E1 (4h): ICS basics; safety/PPE; zones; comms • Rapid screening
- E2 (4h): CISM/defusing; advanced death notification (LE/EMS role‑plays)
- E3 (4h): MCI/shelter ops; cultural/linguistic readiness; documentation drills
- E4 (4h): Integrated scenarios OSCE + 25-item knowledge check
Option B — 2 Saturdays
- Day 1 (8h): ICS & zones; rapid screening; CISM/defusing; death notification
- Day 2 (8h): MCI/shelter ops; documentation; cultural/linguistic readiness; OSCE + 25‑item check
Logistics & Policies (summary)
- Tuition: $250 (manuals not included, both editions required)
- Add-ons: Rocker/patch $12; ID reprint $25
- Refunds/Complaints: See /catalog-policies/ (governing version)
- Safety: Follow facility and scene safety rules; drills may include simulated radio traffic and moulage
- Accessibility/Non-Discrimination: Reasonable accommodations available upon request
