Attached
Overview
As you prepare to be a social work leader in the disaster and emergency relief field, you
will first engage one of themost recognized national disaster relief organizations, the
American Red Cross.While social work curriculum and this DSWprogram provide you
with the foundation and generic skills needed, youmust join with a disaster relief
organization to use your skills within that organization’s purview. Because coordination is
so important in crisis situations, organizations like the Red Cross require that you become
an official part of the organization to provide an official function after completing official
training.While we all hope that a disaster never comes to your community, if it does, you
should be prepared to participate. Therefore, as part of this course youwill have the
option to become a Red Cross DisasterMental Health volunteer or a virtual volunteer at
an organization of your choice. Youwill be required to participate in the introductory
training (45minutes) that will allow you to be eligible for further training should you so
desire.
After completing the training:
● In a 4 page paper (not counting title page or reference page; no abstract page
required) share your personal and professional reflections concerning how you
might be used in a local crisis or disaster.
● As a social worker, youwill have been exposed to crises, minimally through
work with clients, but also as amember of any community. Share these
experiences (2 to 4 different ones) and reflect on how the crises were handled
as amatter of fact and how youmight intervene differently now that you have
had this introductory training.
● In addition to the introductory training, include 5–7 peer-reviewed journal
articles that help you understand your social work role and the skills that you
need to develop to become a competent disaster relief social work professional.
