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From November 2001 NASW NEWS Social workers are the largest professional group providing services. By John V. O'Neill, MSW, NEWS Staff When disaster struck on Sept. 11, social workers made up by far the largest professional group trained by the American Red Cross and ready to volunteer on a national basis to deliver crisis intervention and other mental health services. According to the Red Cross, as of August 2000, more than 10,000 mental health professionals had taken its disaster mental health services courses and were available for volunteer duty. Of those, 2,506 had entered the Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) system, meaning they could be called for typical 14-day volunteer assignments outside their local communities. The Red Cross reported that of those 2,506, 40 percent were social workers, 22 percent psychologists, 18 percent counselors, 14 percent nurses, 5 percent marriage and family therapists, and 1 percent physicians/psychiatrists. Since 1997, NASW has had a formal agreement with the American Red Cross, the designated agency that provides emergency relief, including mental health services, during national disasters. The pact established ground rules for close cooperation between the two organizations in the delivery of mental health services to victims of disaster, rescue workers, military personnel and their families, and refugees. It called for NASW to help with development of a national network of Red Cross-trained, licensed or certified social workers to be mobilized in times of disaster. The agreement called for NASW to encourage its chapters to form local disaster service units and coordinate efforts with local Red Cross units. The chapters and Red Cross units can draft their own agreements, which are reviewed and approved by the national offices of both organizations. At least six NASW chapters — Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, Washington, Vermont and Georgia — have formal agreements with local Red Cross units. Many others have informal agreements and relationships or are working toward formal agreements. Many chapters recruit social workers and sponsor continuing education for disaster mental health training. Several chapters are included in their states' disaster plans and meet with local leaders, the local Red Cross and other mental health professionals to address needs and plans for disasters, according to an NASW Social Work Practice Update by Rita Webb, senior staff associate. Both NASW's Code of Ethics and an NASW policy statement encourage social work participation in disaster planning and emergency services. "Of all the allied health and human services professions, social work is uniquely suited to interpret the disaster context, to advocate for effective services and to provide leadership in essential collaborations among institutions and organization," said the policy statement. Disaster relief is especially compatible with social work because "assistance must be construed holistically, encompassing the physical, developmental, psychological, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual needs of survivors," it said. For the NASW Practice Update: www.socialworkers.org/practice/update/redcross.htm Back to NASW NEWS Contents
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