A Mixed Methods Study of Disaster Case Managers on Issues Related to Diversity in Practice with Hurricane Katrina Victims
Résumé
Increasingly, disasters are affecting large geographical areas that contain diverse populations who experience their aftermath in different ways. Social work case managers can play a critical role in assisting communities to plan and organize around issues of diversity in disaster relief and recovery. Using mixed methods, this study examines disaster recovery case managers working in the state of Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. The authors asked the research question “What issues, if any, did disaster recovery case managers encounter when working with people from different cultural backgrounds after Hurricane Katrina?” Participants (N=11) reported experiencing shortcomings in agency preparation, a lack of understanding of ethnic intragroup differences, and challenges when working with elderly and disabled clients. Findings indicate that social work disaster case managers need to develop methods for gaining awareness of diverse populations within their service areas. Implications for future training and preparation are discussed.
Références
ndrulis, D. P., Siddiqui, N. J., & Gantner, J. L. (2007). Preparing racially and ethnically diverse communities for public health emergencies. Health Affairs, 26(5), 1269-1279. Bloom, M., Fischer, J., & Orme, J. G. (2006). Evaluating practice: Guidelines for the accountable professional (5th ed.). New York: Allyn and Bacon. Bolin, R. (1986). Impact and recovery: A comparison of black and white disaster victims. Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 4, 35-50. Bolin, R., & Klenow, D. J. (1988). Older people in disaster: A comparison of black and white victims. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 26(1), 29-43.
Bond, J. (2007). In Katrina’s wake: Racial implications of the New Orleans disaster. The Journal of Race and Policy, 3(1), 15-32.
Council on Accreditation. (2008). Disaster recovery case management services. Retrieved May 10, 2009, from http://www.coastandards.org/standards. php?navView=private§ion_id=114
Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Dillion, D. (1994). Understanding and assessment of intragroup dynamics in family foster care: African American families. Child Welfare, 73(2), 129-139.
Fothergill, A., Maestas, E., & Darlington, J. (1999). Race, ethnicity and disaster in the United States: A review of the literature. Disasters, 23(2), 156-173.
Haffey, M. (2007). Unique roles and skills for professional social works in Indonesia: Disaster management. Paper presented at the International Seminar on Disaster Planning, Management and Relief, St. Michael, Barbados.
Mathbor, G. M. (2007a). Enhancement of community preparedness for natural disasters: The role of social work in building social capital for sustainable disaster relief and management. International Social Work, 50(3), 357-369.
Mathbor, G. M. (2007b). The role of social work building social capital for sustainable disaster relief and management. Paper presented at the International Seminar on Disaster Planning, Management and Relief, St. Michael, Barbados.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Phillips, B. D. (1993). Cultural diversity in disasters: Sheltering, housing, and long term recovery. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 11(1), 99-110. Puig, M. E., & Glynn, J. B. (2003). Disaster responders: A cross-cultural approach
to recovery and relief work. Journal of Social Service Research, 30(2), 55-66. Pyles, L. (2007). Community organizing for post-disaster social development: Locating social work. International Social Work, 50(3), 321-333.
Rock, L. F., & Corbin, C. A. (2007). Social work students’ and practitioners’ views on the need for training Caribbean social workers in disaster management. International Social Work, 50(3), 383-394. Teasley, M. L., & Moore, J. A. (2008). Disaster recovery case management: Social work and multicultural education. Manuscript submitted for publication. Zakour, M. J. (1996). Disaster research in social work. Journal of Social Service Research, 22(1/2), 7-25. Zakour, M. J. (2007). Vulnerable populations and the multidimensionality of disasters. Paper presented at the International Seminar on Disaster Planning, Management and Relief, St. Michael, Barbados. Zakour, M. J., & Harrell, E. B. (2003). Access to disaster services: Social work interventions for vulnerable populations. Journal of Social Service Research, 30(2), 27-54.
