Reference no: EM133828330
Assignment:
The Human Services Experience
The human services field responds to disasters by providing critical services to people and communities affected by displacement:
Housing: The most immediate need for people displaced by a disaster is safe, temporary housing.
Income support: People displaced by disasters may experience financial insecurity and need income support.
Transportation: People displaced by disasters may need transportation to access services.
Education and child care: People displaced by disasters may need access to schools and child care.
Jobs: People displaced by disasters may need to find jobs.
Many agencies and organizations work together to provide human services to people displaced by disasters, including:
Federal agencies: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
State and local human services agencies: Work with federal agencies to provide human services
Nonprofit, community-based, and faith-based organizations: Fill critical gaps in available human services
The Disaster Human Services Council is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) council that promotes pre-disaster readiness and coordinates human services during and after disasters.
"HURRICANE KATRINA"
Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, occurring late summer in 2005, is a defining moment in American history. Prior to the hurricane, most Americans, including those along the Gulf Coast, gave little thought to their vulnerability. Following the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, many Americans were glued to their television sets as they watched people devastated by category 5 storms try to survive without food, water, medical supplies, and other basic necessities. Many people, including those affected directly and indirectly by these storms, reevaluated their lives. Many hurricane victims were reluctant to leave their homes because they had no place to go; many were forced to leave their homes because they were unable to stay. Many were afraid and lost all sense of hope.....
As a human services investigator: Talk with several people of different ages about how they were affected by a hurricane or natural disaster. Gain insight into how they felt watching the news, seeing people left to survive by any means necessary. Have students ask how safe or vulnerable they feel if a similar type of devastation were to befall them. Ask participants about the federal and local government's response then and now to those affected by the storm or disaster. Have students compare their responses to see how the various reactions differ. These differences illustrate the life cycle.
Visit and access the Hurricane Katrina documentary, published by National Geographic in 2005. Discuss the impacts of hurricane Katrina as it relates to communities, families, state & federal municipalities
Discuss how hurricane Katrina affected people in various stages of the life cycle, racial groups, and socioeconomic classes upon completion of your interviews and reviewing the documentary.