Disaster Relief Mobilization–Community Resiliency Model (DRM-CRM)
“Strengthening communities after disaster—one skill, one conversation, one resilient step at a time.”
The Disaster Relief Mobilization–Community Resiliency Model (DRM-CRM) is a skills-based, trauma and resiliency-informed program designed to support communities in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Grounded in biology and resilience science, DRM-CRM equips survivors, families, and responders with practical tools to regulate the nervous system, reduce distress, and foster collective healing.
By integrating self-care strategies, strength-based conversations, and community-driven practices, DRM-CRM promotes recovery, prevents compassion fatigue, and can cultivate long-term resilience across the lifespan and with diverse populations.
The DRM-CRM Program empowers survivors and responders alike to heal, connect, and rebuild—one skill, one conversation, and one resilient community at a time.
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Disaster Relief Mobilization–Community Resiliency Model (DRM-CRM) Program
The Disaster Relief Mobilization–Community Resiliency Model (DRM-CRM) Program is designed to bring healing, stabilization, and sustainable resilience to communities impacted by natural disasters, including the devastating Los Angeles firestorms and flooding in the US Southern states. Rooted in the Community Resiliency Model (CRM)®, this initiative provides biologically based, evidence-informed tools that restore balance to the nervous system and strengthen community recovery.
Goals and Objectives
Support Communities After Disaster: Offer wellness skills that help survivors and responders manage stress, trauma, and uncertainty.
Recognize Strengths and Challenges: Identify existing community resources and barriers that shape recovery.
Understand Survival Responses: Explain the body’s natural reactions—fight, flight, freeze, and tend-and-befriend-and their role in disaster healing.
Strengthen Self-Care: Help participants assess their own Resilient Zone and practice strategies to prevent burnout.
Adapt for All Settings: Deliver DRM-CRM gatherings tailored to group size, culture, and shared trauma contexts.
Communicate with Compassion: Apply CRM’s six wellness skills through supportive, strength-based conversations.
Know When to Refer: Recognize signs of deeper mental health needs and guide survivors to appropriate care pathways.
Build Sustainable Plans: Develop personalized and community-based self-care strategies to prevent compassion fatigue and enhance well-being.
Practice Through Role-Play: Develop real-world readiness by applying DRM-CRM skills to post-disaster scenarios.
Phases of Implementation
Stabilization & Outreach – Immediate support with skills-based tools for survivors, families, and responders.
Capacity Building – Training local leaders, educators, and community members to use and share CRM skills.
Sustainability & Integration – Embedding DRM-CRM into community networks, schools, and recovery systems for long-term resilience.
Applications
Individuals: Reduce anxiety, fear, and overwhelm through nervous system regulation.
Families: Strengthen connection and safety after shared loss or displacement.
Communities: Foster solidarity and hope in the face of destruction.
Responders: Build resilience and prevent compassion fatigue among frontline helpers.
Connection Circles
A space to stay connected, practice resilience, and support one another.
Have you taken part in a Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® or Disaster Relief Mobilization (DRM-CRM) training?
Connection Circles are for you!
These free, virtual gatherings are designed to bring together fire-affected communities, and those who support them, to share, reflect, and stay connected to the skills and each other.
What Are Connection Circles?
Connection Circles are 1-hour online sessions where participants can:
Ask questions about using CRM/DRM:CRM skills in everyday life
Share stories of impact, healing, and resilience
Connect with others who have walked a similar path
Simply take time to be together in community
This is an ongoing space to keep skills alive and to know you’re not alone.
Who Can Join?
Fire-affected residents navigating recovery
Helpers and frontline supporters — teachers, counselors, community leaders, faith leaders, nonprofit staff — who are caring for impacted communities
Why Join?
Because skills are stronger when practiced together. Connection Circles are a reminder that:
Recovery is a shared journey
Stories inspire strength
Even a single hour of connection can shift how we move through hardship
How It Works
Free & virtual — join from anywhere
60 minutes — come for the whole session or drop in as you’re able
Hosted every two weeks — each session includes open sharing and a guided prompt