National Association of Social Workers

From the President

Mending the Social Safety Net

By Elvira Craig de Silva, DSW, ACSW

Times of crisis reveal the greatest strengths and qualities of people, as well as the greatest weaknesses. Nothing can provide more evidence of this than the suffering experienced by the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The country witnessed in disbelief the loss of lives, the destruction of whole communities and the erosion of faith in a sociopolitical system that did not come through in a timely and effective way for its citizens.

In a letter I sent to President Bush on behalf of the association, I emphasized NASW's commitment to issues surrounding poverty, class and race in our country. Many of the people who suffered the most are social work clients, and it is our role as a profession to ensure that the social services safety net is in place to secure the needs of the most vulnerable.

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released its annual report on income in America. With the poverty rate increasing for the fourth year in a row, 37 million Americans are now living below the poverty line. The report notes that class, determined by economic and social status and often linked to race, determines how people will fare in this country. The despair we witnessed after Katrina was merely an exacerbated situation.

It is imperative that issues of poverty, class and race are recognized as primary sources of inequality within our society. It is also critical that these issues be addressed with real intent and coordinated action that goes beyond political speeches.

After Hurricane Katrina, the lack of adequate health care and support services for the poor was revealed to the country and to the world. We now have the opportunity to remedy this situation by rebuilding the social services infrastructure that is essential in times like these.

Social workers are leaders in advocating this kind of radical change in our nation's social system. Social workers, led by NASW, must be included in planning, developing and implementing initiatives aimed at eradicating inequality — wherever it rears its head.

The results and consequences of hurricanes Katrina and Rita cover many levels — the direct victims, their families, their communities and the social structure within which they functioned. The losses are immense — the loss of lives, the cultural and geographical uprooting of families, the sense of powerlessness and neglect, the loss of jobs and personal history, the psychological and social disorientation and the uncertainty about the future.

Trauma experts tell us that resilience and stamina carry people through the first weeks of devastation, but that post-traumatic reactions may begin to appear several weeks after the events.

We have the challenge to advocate enhanced services for our clients, not only in the area of mental health, but at every level of social work intervention. As social workers, we need to join in the effort to rebuild an effective social services structure and be the voice of authority for recovery.

We also need to focus our attention on social workers who are victims of these disasters. The NASW Foundation has created a fund to help individual social workers directly affected by the hurricanes, providing up to $500 in assistance. It's not much when you've lost everything, but it's something. It is a social worker's role to assist those in need. It is NASW's role to assist social workers in need.

We also cannot forget the rescuers. They are the first responders, the ones who face the overwhelming task of trying to alleviate human tragedies, experiencing the impotence of not being able to resolve all situations, while also experiencing their own losses of loved ones, property and familiar surroundings. They are going to need support now and in times to come.

I want to commend social workers — NASW members and others — who have volunteered their time and expertise to the hurricane relief and recovery efforts. I encourage you to remain involved, to exert political pressure locally and nationally, to form coalitions, to organize communities to effect change, to work side by side with clients so that their needs become the centerpiece of American policies and not the afterthought of political campaigns.

The leaders of NASW's Social and Economic Justice & Peace Specialty Practice Section are helping the national staff craft additional positions and statements to urge action by stakeholders and policymakers who can make lasting changes.

If you are interested in this work or want to learn more about NASW's response and recovery efforts, please visit www.socialworkers.org.

To comment to Elvira Craig de Silva: president@naswdc.org

From November 2005 NASW News. © 2005 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. NASW News articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising, promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.