What is Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)?

ICISF Approved Instructors recognized by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. must meet the following criteria:

• Any ICISF course must adhere to the “ICISF Model” which is described in the current editions of the Group Crisis Intervention and Assisting Individuals in Crisis student manuals.
• The ICISF course will adhere to the course curriculum detailed in the Instructor’s Manual provided to each instructor at the Approved Instructor Candidate Program.
• An ICISF recognized course must be presented within the contact hour guidelines provided by ICISF.
• The use of the ICISF Logo is restricted to only those programs that are organized, managed by, and taught directly by ICISF personnel or by its Speakers Bureau Members.  Any ICISF approved instructors may not, therefore, use the ICISF Logo.  Acceptable wording in brochures or other documents describing a course would be:
  • “The instructor for this course is an ICISF Approved Instructor”; or
  • “This training curriculum is recognized by ICISF”
• No less than ninety (90%) percent of the course material must be taught by an active ICISF Approved Instructor authorized of the specific course subject being taught. Any additional non-ICISF instructors must submit a copy of their most recent CV or resume to ICISF prior to the course start dates.
• All Approved Instructors wishing to have their course(s) recognized by ICISF must register their course using the ICISF Course Registration Form prior to the course start dates. The completed form should be forwarded directly to the Approved Instructor Support Dept. A non-refundable registration fee of $100.00 U.S. funds (30 or more days prior to training dates) or $150.00 U.S. funds (less than 30 days prior to training dates) is due at the time of registration. Payment can be made to ICISF by MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover or Check (US Funds).
• The following information must accompany the completed Course Registration Form:
  1. Course outline and/or schedule (if different than one provided at time of instructor training.)
  2. Copies of additional handouts to be provided to the course participants (if any).
• Each ICISF Approved Instructor must provide and utilize a copy of the official ICISF student manual ($20.00 each, U.S. funds) to each participant.  Manuals are to be ordered via the Online Bookstore.
• Instructors must provide an official ICISF certificate of completion ($5.00 each, U.S. funds) to each student who successfully completes the course. Certificates are to be ordered using the Certificate Order Form directly through the Approved Instructor Support Dept.
• All fees associated with course registration, materials, and shipping/handling is ultimately the lead instructor’s responsibility, regardless if a third party is involved with payment. All fees are due at time of submission.  Follow directions within instructor binder for updated payment details.
• Instructors will use and submit to the Approved Instructor Support Dept. a standard course evaluation and ICISF roster.  The evaluations and rosters are to be completed by each participant and are to be submitted to ICISF no later than fourteen (14) days following the course completion.
• Instructors will notify the Approved Instructor Support Dept. in writing of any changes to their course date, instructor/co-instructor, location, etc. This information must be received prior to the original course start date.
• ICISF reserves the right to remove from its list of approved instructors anyone who consistently receives negative evaluations or who fails to follow standard CISM Training practices.
• New Approved Instructors may request assistance in the form of mentoring by experienced ICISF Approved Instructors.  ICISF will make every effort to match new instructors with experienced instructors who might share portions of their course and offer guidance in the instructional processes.
• ICISF Approved Instructors are considered active based upon seven criteria:
  (1) Current individual membership in ICISF and payment of associated membership fees.  (2) The Instructor completes required Approved Instructor continuing education programs within the time frame specified by ICISF. (3) The Instructor returns completed semiannual updates to the ICISF Approved Instructor Support Department. (4) The Instructor submits course returns to ICISF in a timely fashion.  (5) The Instructor pays for their ICISF instructor renewal fee of $93.00.  This fee is due three years to the quarter after first becoming an instructor, and then due every three years after that.  (6)  All invoices, regardless of if a third party is involved, must be paid on or before due date.  Instructor is ultimately responsible for all invoices. (7)  Completion of required paperwork per ICISF guidelines (course registrations, material orders, etc.).
• Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in the removal of instructors from the ICISF Approved Instructor list.

ICISF Approved Instructors should make every effort to maintain the highest level of professionalism by continuously upgrading their knowledge and skills in Critical Incident Stress Management.  ICISF will facilitate the provision of updated information by offering periodic update trainings for Approved Instructors.

The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors has set these criteria forth in hopes of providing proper and accurate dissemination of information regarding the “ICISF Model” of CISM. 

Any questions regarding these guidelines may be directed to the ICISF Approved Instructor Support Department at (410) 750-9600 or [email protected] .