Media
Coverage
October 28, 2005
Mayors want answers on housing issue
The Natchez (MS) Democrat
Miss-Lou communities are
banning together to create a long-term plan for housing for Hurricane
Katrina victims. Social worker
Sharon Marie Chester is among the people on the planning committee.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/articles/2005/09/19/news/news89.txt
October 13, 2005
Uncertainty's Second Wave
The Washington Post
While the DC
Armory is empty from the almost 700 evacuees who once lived there,
there is still a lot of uncertainty about where they will live on a
more permanent basis. Social workers are assisting hurricane evacuees
in finding services, such as affordable housing, food stamps and Medicaid.
Social worker, Malve Abuhatab is one of the social workers connecting
evacuees with resources.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/13/AR2005101301957.html
October 6, 2005
Branchport woman lends a listening ear: Retired social worker
volunteers in Louisiana
Finger Lakes Times
Retired social worker, Mary Beth Gamba, has been working with the 3,500 evacuees
in the Cajun Dome in Louisiana since both hurricanes hit the Gulf Region. Gamba
says that many of the evacuees are just now coming to grips with the reality
that they can't return to their homes. She hopes to extend her stay past
the required 21 days to fulfill the great need. She says: "You sort
of pick out the lonely ones or the sad one and...try to pick out their stories
and see if there is any way you can help."
http://www.fltimes.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=9796&SectionID=38&SubSectionID=121&S=1
September 30, 2005
A lesson
in heartbreak and hope B'ville woman calls work with Katrina victims
'life-altering'
The Bernardsville (NJ) News
Social worker Megan McDowell
recalls the scenes from Houston 's George R. Brown Convention Center
. She recalls the sea of despair, poverty, mental illness and addiction.
But, she feels comforted by the assistance she and other mental health
professionals were able to provide. She says that the energy in the
room was a combination of resiliency and hope. McDowell's experience
in Houston was "the
reminder that non of us are alone in our suffering. We just need
to be willing to shift our perception enough to see this."
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15300477&BRD=1918&PAG=461&dept_id=506414&rfi=6
In the midst of storm mania don't forget the locals in
crisis
Wilmington (NC) Star
Columnist Si Cantwell
reminds us that while the outpouring of generosity toward the victims
of Hurricane Katrina is worthwhile, there are still many people who
need our assistance in local communities. He quotes social worker Lynetta
Karlson, "We watch the suffering
on TV, and we want to help these people. But, once this slows down...there
is a whole lot of other work to be done in the community."
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050923/COLUMNIST02/50922052/1014
September 29, 2005
Two share
Katrina experiences
Peoria Journal Star
A former New Orleans social worker
and adjunct professor of sociology at Southeastern Louisiana University,
Amy Wilson is still haunted by Hurricane Katrina. Wilson and a
psychologist who assisted in the relief efforts in Baton Rouge talked
about their first hand experience with Katrina at Bradley University's
discussion titled, "It's
Nobody's and Everybody's Fault: The Social Implications of Hurricane
Katrina."
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/092905/TRI_B7MQPQVV.060.shtml
LHS working to help hurricane victims
The Lexington
(MA) Minuteman
School social worker, Martha Queenin, and student
leaders at Lexington Senior High School have coordinated a drive
for essential items, such as baby care and toiletries, to donate
to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Queenin created a unique sales
pitch to get students thinking about their donations - instead
of going for that morning cup of coffee at Starbucks, remember
that money could be better spent helping hurricane victims.
http://www2.townonline.com/lexington/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=334750
September 28, 2005
Storms'
collateral damage
USA Today
Social workers are at the forefront
of treating people with mental health issues related to the recent
disasters. USA Today uses three social workers as experts in their
story about the stress and anxiety disorders that can exist after a
disaster. Anita Laffey is a mental health supervisor for the American
Red Cross in San Antonio . She has been working with evacuees from
Hurricane Katrina, and now Hurricane Rita, for several weeks. Chris
Rule, a social worker in Hot Springs , Ark. , is working with people
in shelters who are still confused about the next steps in the rebuilding
of their lives. Social worker Nancy Smyth notes the painful flashbacks
that people are experiencing from Katrina. She says that old terrors
resurface because disasters can trigger symptoms from earlier traumas.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-09-27-storms-damage-stress_x.htm
Elderly evacuee reunited with dog
The Argus (
Oakland , CA )
Gloria Brown, an evacuee from New Orleans who now
lives in Oakland , has been reunited with her 8 year old Chow mix,
Queenie, thanks to the help of social worker, Jennifer Coffey. Jennifer,
who works with San Francisco 's Department of Aging and Adult Services,
worked with Oakland 's Hopalong Animal Rescue program to locate Queenie
in Baton Rouge and bring her to Oakland to reunite with her owner.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3066040
September 27, 2005
Katrina evacuees settle in Onslow
The Jacksonville (NC)
Daily News
School social worker Laurel Yurick works with the
local community to gather items for the 59 displaced students in
Onslow County . She is also working with the incoming students
to help ease their fears about their new surroundings and the transition
to a new school. She notes, "The schools have done a wonderful
job trying to make everyone feel comfortable."
http://www.jdnews.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/
Details.cfm&StoryID=35292&Section=News
Temporary behavior changes are normal after hurricane experience
The
Daily News ( Bogalusa , LA )
American Red Cross disaster mental
health social worker, Terri Stockdreher, discusses that a change
in the behavior and emotions of those who have been affected by
Hurricane Katrina can last for weeks or months. She notes that
people are reassured to know that their reactions are very normal
and that other people are feeling the same way. Children may have
an especially hard time understanding and expressing their emotions.
She advises people to try to regain a sense of control and normalcy
by returning to routines of family night, bed times or family meals
together.
http://www.edailynews.info/articles/2005/09/26/news/news15.txt
September 26, 2005
Support group offers assistance on sharing space
The Baton
Rouge Advocate
Social worker Butch Robicheaux offers
suggestions to families who have several family members living
with them since Hurricane Katrina:
- Eliminate the guest-host concept
- Have a family meeting to divvy up duties and responsibilities
- Establish psychological or emotional space
Sharing close quarters
when you're used to your own space can be stress-inducing, for
both the guests and the hosts.
http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/092505/fea_peo002.shtml
Social worker takes skills to Louisiana
The Ann
Arbor News
Susan Sefansky got the call from the Red
Cross and she was ready to go. Arriving in Baton Rouge after Labor
Day, the social worker was assigned to a shelter with people from
New Orleans , many of whom had lost everything. As a mental health
worker, Sefansky's job was to help them deal with stress and any
other mental health problems they might be having. She also helped
other relief workers with their stress.
http://www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-14/112755664266240.xml&coll=2
Sacrifice part of the job of a Red Cross volunteer
Winona
(MN) Daily News
With the school year just under way, social
work professor Carole Madland had to make a tough decision to travel
to the Gulf Region to help after Hurricane Katrina. Taking two
weeks of vacation time, Madland provided mental health counseling
to evacuees, as well as other volunteers and professionals. A week
after returning, she is still working through her adjustment period.
She says, "The
challenges facing disaster relief workers don't end with their services."
http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2005/09/25/news/00lead.txt
September 23, 2005
Stress, anxiety, variety of emotions normal after a disaster, experts
say
San Diego Union Tribune
Social worker, Ann Tanner, has witnessed a common responses to an
uncommon event. Stress, anxiety, emotions and lack of sleep are taking
a serious toll on the mental health of evacuees of Hurricane Katrina.
Tanner notes that 85 percent of the people she's talked to had been
in a life-threatening situation. She also said that healing can be
facilitated be returning to normal activities, such as getting a
job, getting children into schools and volunteering to help others.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050923-9999-2m23health.html
UNC forum focuses on disaster response
The Herald Sun (NC)
Joanne Caye, assistant clinical professor at the UNC School of Social
Work said in a panel discussion Thursday night that the longer it
takes to restore normalcy to a person's life, the harder it is for
that person to recover mentally from the disaster. The panel discussion
was titled "Katrina: Preparing for and Responding to Natural
Disasters."
http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-649554.html
September 22, 2005
After the floodwaters recede and the reporters go home,
then what?
The Tidings (CA)
Social Work professor at Mount Saint
Mary's College in Los Angeles , Dr. Sandra Harte isn't hopeful of
broad societal changes happening in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
She says "If capitalism
is not coupled with altruism and social justice, it's lethal to
people who are marginalized. And unfortunately, in our society, that
has consistently been the poor like the people in New Orleans ."
http://www.the-tidings.com/2005/0923/povrace.htm
Mental Help After the Storm
WHSV-TV (
Staunton , VA )
Clinical social worker, Susan Frushour, just returned
from providing mental health services to people in hurricane-ravaged
Mississippi . While she worked with people who had extreme situations
of disease and addiction, she said that most of the people wanted a
shoulder to cry on and to be assured that they are normal to experience
the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as difficulty
sleeping and crying. Frushour notes, "People have a tremendous
capacity to bounce back with some support, of course, from awful events."
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/1736711.html
September 21, 2005
Social work looking for more helpers
The University of Texas at Arlington Shorthorn
The
University of Texas School of Social Work students have been tirelessly
working with local shelters to help Hurricane Katrina evacuees. However,
additional volunteers are needed to provide relief to the tired workers.
Social work student organizer, Gene Hintz, said that the students banded
together to provide as much assistance as they could. He notes: "That's
what we do. We're social workers. We must stand up and do something
in times like this."
http://www.theshorthorn.com/archive/2005/fall/05-sep-21/n092105-03.html
10-year-old fled Katrina, discovers he has cancer
Associated
Press
After fleeing their home from New Orleans to Dallas,
the Chimento's news got even worse - their 10-year-old son had
been diagnosed with leukemia. Pediatric oncology social worker,
Lori Dooly, stepped in to help the family. Not only did she provide
assistance to the family and patient to deal with a cancer diagnosis,
she organized a donation effort to help the Chimento's. Their son,
Drew, has a good prognosis and has already begin chemotherapy.
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/12695393.htm
September 20, 2005
New mothers funding hope in Baton Rouge
Associated
Press
New mothers who gave birth during Hurricane Katrina have
a lot to be thankful for and a lot to worry about. "Every
possible stress you have has got to be there," says Beth
Manning, director of social services at Woman's Hospital in Baton
Rouge . She's referring to the pressures of being a new mother,
compounded by being away from your family and your home. When
hospitals became overwhelmed with the influx of patients, social
workers called local churches and they responded with facilities
and support.
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/nation/12687762.htm
Culture gaps could inhibit counseling of Katrina victims
USA Today
As the American Red Cross struggles
to get mental health professionals into the areas who need it, there
is an increasing concern about the culture gaps that may prohibit people
from getting the mental health assistance that they need. Social worker,
Lisa Taylor, notes that most mental health professionals are aware
of the cultural concerns and work to build a trust with their clients.
http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/events/katrina05/documents/USAToday_culture_gaps.pdf
September 19, 2005
Refugee Groups Reaching
Out to Victims of Hurricane
The New York Times
Nah We Yone, a nonprofit agency
in Harlem that helps African immigrants in New York , is working with
other refugee agencies to assist the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina.
Once dubbed "refugees," these
people need the assistance of groups like the Nah We Yone, co-directed
by social worker Judy Rogers. Ms. Rogers was angry when she heard
hurricane victims called "refugees," claiming that this
term is divisive and inappropriate.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/18/nyregion/18refugee.html
Schools, counselors help students cope with Katrina
The
Island Packet (SC)
School social worker, Anne Schermerhorn,
is working with students in her South Carolina school to deal with
Hurricane Katrina and the recent threat of Hurricane Ophelia. She
notes that younger children seem to have the most fear and unanswered
questions about their safety and the safety of their families.
She and other counselors reached out to students through classroom
presentations educating students about hurricanes and allowing
them to ask questions.
http://www.islandpacket.com/features/story/5178134p-4707776c.html
Home is calling to storm's survivors
Tallahassee
Democrat
Florida State University social work professor Charles
Figley describes the need of some displaced residents to return
to their homes. He notes that their heritage and history is in
their homes. "Home
is where their connection is; home is where their memories are," says
Figley.
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/12669032.htm
September 16, 2005
Choctaw recalls buckling down for Hurricane Katrina
Indian
Country Today
It is the widespread devastation and damage that
what gets to Joseph Bohanon, coordinator of Field Education in
the School of Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi.
While he grew up in Oklahoma experiencing tornadoes, he never expected
the sounds and images to affect him so much. He tells his story
about the impact of the Hurricane on his neighborhood and how he
is coordinating volunteers to help with clean up and recovery.
http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096411586
Katrina evacuees speak up
North Texas Daily
Social work students at
the University of North Texas were able to visualize the devastation
of Hurricane Katrina from one of their own. Social worker, Lorenzo
Ford, and other speakers told students about the chaos that erupted
in New Orleans and particularly in the Superdome. Ford noted the collective
frustration of those who felt they were left stranded by the government.
True to the core values of social work, various social work students
offered information about housing and job opportunities in Denton ,
Texas , where Ford plans to stay.
http://www.ntdaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/16/432a59db247d7
On the edge without an exit
South Coast Today (MA)
Michael
Lomax, a social worker who cares for the homeless and poor, stayed
behind in the public housing complex wherehe lives to cater to the
needs of those who could not evacuate. Lomax is connecting local residents
on this Gretna , LA housing complex with the resources they need to
survive, including anti-psychotic drugs and counseling.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/09-05/09-16-05/a02wn782.htm
September 15, 2005
Strategies to deal with stresses, near and far
The Delaware Coast Press
Social
worker Sturges Dodge provides some practical information for those
individuals who feel overwhelmed by the increased threat of terrorism,
the war in Iraq , and the most recent tragedy in the Gulf Region.
Dodge advises to adopt practices to deal with the effects of stress
well before the crisis occurs so that we are better able to respond.
She also advises that if an individual is feeling overwhelmed by
the Hurricane Katrina coverage to limit the exposure to the news
media reports.
http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20050914/2201562.html
KSL-TV ,
Salt Lake City , UT
Marilyn Luptak, a professor
of social work at the University of Utah , suggests to elderly patients
who are dealing with death to scrapbook and keep journals. Luptak
notes that by documenting past pain, it allows you to move forward.
She says, "This type of
activity can be a comfort to them and is something that is private."
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=105633
September 14, 2005
Victims may be on way to city
The Wisconsin State Journal
Madison
, WI social worker, Rita Adair, is doing her part to coordinate
services for victims displaced by Hurricane Katrina who make their
way to Madison . Adair's leadership has made it possible to bring 20
families to vacant apartments in the Allied Drive neighborhood. Adair
is now looking for assistance in preparing the apartments for incoming
residents. She also plans to collect donations to pay for rent, furniture,
food, clothes and other supplies.
http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=wsj:2005:09:04:491939:LOCAL/WISCONSIN
Storm-aid response streams into WRAC
The Daily
Iowan
The University of Iowa community received an e-mail from
the Women's Resource and Action Center seeking relief items for
the 11 students arriving on campus, displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Students in the School of Social Work, lead by Associate Professor
Carol Coohey, stepped up and helped to coordinate the distribution
of the donations. One social work student, Eli Silva-Martinez commented
that the response was fast and shows a sense of community. http://www.dailyiowan.com/media/paper599/news/2005/09/13/Metro/StormAid.Response.Streams.Into.Wrac-982806.shtml
September 13, 2005
Social work evacuee getting to work
The Natchez (MS)
Democrat
Social worker, Sharon Chester, an evacuee from New
Orleans, has put her invaluable social work skills into practice
assisting other evacuees living in Riveview , MS . Chester has
coordinated daily informational meetings, meals and medical supplies
and care for the 200 New Orleans evacuees. Chester has provided
counseling to her fellow evacuees, as well. She notes that some
of them are not ready to talk about their experience and she has
encouraged many of them to keep a journal to help them.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/articles/2005/09/10/news/news27.txt
Americans anxious, not resigned
The
News & Observer ( Raleigh , NC )
Joanne
Caye, assistant professor of social work at UNC-Chapel Hill, studies
the effects of disasters on families and children. Caye notes that
the emergence of cell phones has given Americans a false sense
of security that they can always contact their loved ones. Katrina
shattered that sense of security and showed us that we are not immune.
Caye notes that collaboration as a community is the best remedy for
dealing with a catastrophe, such as Katrina.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/q/archive/story/2793760p-9233609c.html
Emotional Pain Extends Beyond Battered Coast
The
(FL) Ledger
Katrina's tragedy has extended beyond those who
directly experienced the tragedy. Donna Fiedler, assistant professor
of social work at LaSalle University, describes "secondary
post-traumatic stress" to
people absorbing the influx of news coverage. Fiedler notes that
this national sense of helplessness was felt after September 11,
as well.
www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage
September 9, 2005
Helping Children Traumatized By Katrina
National
Public Radio
Social worker, Michelle Maney, talks about social
work's role in providing mental health screening techniques to
the teachers in the Louisiana Department of Education. She comments
that the teachers are the eyes and ears of the school system and
that they need to be trained to not only look at the child acting
out, but to pay particular attention to the quiet child, or the
child who's behavior has changed since the disaster. This training
for teachers will be provided in person and via video conferencing.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4838735
Refugee? Some dispute description of hurricane victims
Winston-Salem Journal
Sharon Warren Cook,
assistant professor of social work at Winston-Salem State University
, comments that the term "refugee" is
inappropriate when referring to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
She relates the word to a distance and coldness, without connecting
that these people are Americans facing a disaster in their own land.
She specifically refers to the Refugee Act of 1980, addressing resettling
refugees from other countries in the United States .
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031784909449
Nonprofits Take Steps to Help Those Affected By Hurricane
Katrina
PNN Online - The Nonprofit News and Information
Source
Taken from a NASW press release, PNN highlights the need
for social work services in the Gulf Region and NASW's partnership
with the American Red Cross in our efforts to get necessary mental
health services to those who need it the most.
http://www.pnnonline.org/article.php?sid=6195&mode=thread&order=0
September 8, 2005
Ideas on how to Help
Sacramento Bee
NASW California Chapter Executive Director, Janlee Wong, encourages
social workers to volunteer to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina
and to think of creative ideas to assist with disaster relief efforts
and to raise money for the victims.
Good Morning America
ABC Correspondent Robin Roberts, her mom and her sister, social worker
Dorothy Roberts McEwen, return to their childhood home to examine
the devastation by Katrina. Robin and Dorothy examine the home for
any remnants of their life - including a green desk used for homework
and a flowering plant still growing in the garden. Dorothy said that
its a miracle and an inspiration that some flowers are still in bloom.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/
Don't ruin hospitality by seeking gory details
Boston Herald
Boston University social work professor, Ellen DeVoe, provides advice
to families who are taking in the victims of Hurricane Katrina. She
advises families to think about the kind of stories these people
have to tell and determine whether they are prepared to deal with
stories of tragedy and survival. After working with victims of 9/11,
DeVoe said families should be ready to deal with the range of emotions
and to try to connect with other host families who are having similar
experiences.
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=101342
September 7, 2005
This is indefinite
Dallas Morning News
Social worker, Debra Morton, evacuated her New Orleans home fully
expecting to return in a few days. But, Hurricane Katrina had other
plans for the her family and other displaced victims. Morton and
her family are now in Dallas, seeking some sense of stability and
searching for homes and jobs. Morton describes this situation as
disconcerting and humbling since, as a social worker, she is usually
the one giving help to others.
http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/events/katrina05/documents/DallasMorningStar_Katrina.pdf
Helping Katrina's spiritually hurt may be costly
Science & Theology News
Charles Figley, a professor of social work at Florida State University,
describes the mounting problem of "compassion fatigue" when
a helper falls into the same suffering experienced by the trauma
victims. Figley notes that the only way people to not fall into compassion
fatigue is to receive proper disaster training, prior to entering
the situation.
http://www.stnews.org/articles.php?article_id=1605&category=news
Local Salvation Army handles donations to hurricane victims
Ravalli (MT) Republic
The Salvation Army is known for serving those who need a helping
hand in various communities. But, a small community in Montana is
reaching far beyond its limits and gathering donations of money for
those displaced and homeless from Hurricane Katrina. Jeanne Poe,
social work coordinator for the Bitterroot Salvation Army, is spearheading
the effort for donations to come to the local offices of the Salvation
Army so they can properly track community generosity for Katrina
victims.
http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2005/09/07/news/news04.txt
September 6, 2005
Dealing with Disaster
WJRT-TV, Michigan
Michigan social worker, Denise Dedman, discusses the immediate and
on-going impacts of Hurricane Katrina for families and individuals.
She says that social workers attempt to create some normalcy in the
lives of victims. Dedman points out practical tips for a lay person
to communicate with those affected, while emphasizing that social
workers and other mental health professionals need to work through
their own emotions, while detecting deeper grief and depression in
storm victims.
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=local&id=3415584
Nightmare on the eve of hurricane saves family
The Middletown (MS) Journal
Were it not for the nightmare Quinton Johnson had the night before
the hurricane hit, he and his family might not have gotten out alive
from their New Orleans home. And were it not for the assistance of
Iva Rigby, a social worker and Red Cross volunteer, the Johnson family
might not be in northern Mississippi in long-term housing and starting
to search for jobs. Rigby called the Johnson family amazing in their
resilience to work through this tragedy. Some might call Rigby amazing,
too.
http://www.middletownjournal.com/hp/content/news/stories/2005/09/05/mj0905SHELTER.html
Locals head to Katrina-stricken areas to help
Illinois Herald Argus
Local Red Cross volunteers are finally learning of their Hurricane
Katrina assignments. Clinical social worker, Jerry Montgomery, will
be deployed to Houston to counsel displaced victims and other volunteers
tending to those affected. Montgomery discusses the sense of loss
victims feel about their friends, families, homes and communities.
http://www.heraldargus.com/content/story.php?storyid=6745
38 in family of SLC social worker homeless
The Salt Lake Tribune
Jeff St. Romain, a social worker who has dedicated his life to working
with Utah's homeless, is now working with his family to find homes
following Hurricane Katrina. From his professional experience, St.
Romain says that he believes people from the Gulf region will need
more than food, clothing and shelter. Some are likely to suffer from
post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues.
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2994850
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