Children and poverty in Louisiana

Human Services

Hurricane Katrina will be remembered for many generations to come, not only because of the destruction that it left in its stead but due to the inadequate way the government responded to this catastrophe. It clearly demonstrated the many problems that can occur when all the pieces for disaster control are not in place. Similarly, it showed and continues to show how long it takes to rebuild, if it is possible at all. For example, years after the tragedy, today's (May 2, 2007) news, includes the following stories: 1) "...scientists report that sediments in interior portions of the city appear to be contaminated with fecal microbes, a chronic condition they say persisted in the area before the hurricanes, and that the resulting water quality in the city and in nearshore waters of the lake continues to be impacted by discharges from this contamination." 2) Louisiana's $7.5 billion program to buy out homeowners or help them rebuild is going broke...3) More than 130,000 applications for aid have been submitted under the troubled, federally funded Road Home program -- about 30% more than initially expected; 4) Louisiana has not yet set up the nonprofit corporation to take ownership of as many as 15,000 bought-out properties under Road Home; 5) as many as 200 boats are submerged at Municipal Yacht Harbor. By noon Wednesday, a huge crane had pulled up a half-dozen in a project that could cost up to $1 million; 6) Children and teenagers in New Orleans with chronic medical conditions at the time of Hurricane Katrina were more likely than other children to have worsening of physical and psychological symptoms, develop new symptoms, miss doctor appointments and run out of medications in the wake of the disaster; 7) More than 250,000 New Orleans residents are in exile 18 months after Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing flood that ravaged entire neighborhoods whose residents are unable to return home.

The greatest problem of human service professionals today is that one that has existed since as long as one person wanted to help others -- not enough resources. There is no way that all the individuals who need help at this point in time can be helped. Perhaps, eventually, as technology continues to improve the proportion of people who can be provided assistance will grow exponentially. What do we do until then? As human service providers, it is our role to do as much as we can for as many people we can. This means using the technology and expertise available to its greatest extent. What happened in Louisiana was inexcusable, considering the wealth and power of the U.S. There were too many clues, and even facts, pointing to something like this taking placle.

One of the reasons why I am fortunate to be in the human services field in the U.S. is because we have such advanced abilities. I was very sorry to see what happened, because it opened my eyes to our ability to make major mistakes. Another reason why I am fortunate to be in the human services field is because I can use my talents to fulfill my desire to help others. The argument in the chapter regarding the need of some professionals taking jobs or money away from others in human services is like any oxymoron. I am not saying I am a martyr and want to live in poverty without a nice house, car, and ongoing entertainment. I am also not trying to be pretentious. I believe that someone who goes into this field needs to make choices. Most human service workers are going to have to decide between all the things that a high-powered corporate job can buy and a different lifestyle

The chapter on Human Services stipulates that since the introduction of indigenous community leaders as paraprofessionals during the War on Poverty of the 1960s, the number of workers in the this field has grown steadily and rapidly. In addition, the responsibilities, knowledge, training, and competence of generalist human services workers have increased to a level comparable to that of traditional professional human services workers. Furthermore, large numbers of generalist human services workers and some traditional professional human services workers believe strongly that many generalists outperform traditional professional workers. It is too bad that we are bickering and fighting within our own ranks; that does not bode well for others who need our help. They should be coming first, not our personal needs.

Based on a request from the U.S. government, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on the Future of Emergency Care in the U.S. Health System was formed in September 2003 to examine the full scope of emergency care; explore its strengths, limitations and challenges; create a vision for the future of the system; and make recommendations to help the nation achieve that vision. Forty national experts from fields including emergency care, trauma, pediatrics, health care administration, public health, and health services research. The Committee produced reports -pre-hospital emergency care, hospital-based emergency care and pediatric emergency care (see (http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ocga/testimony/A_Nation_Unprepared_for_Pub_Health_Disasters.asp.)

The reports indicate that many hospitals are already operating at or above capacity and it is difficult to imagine how they could absorb a surge of casualties from another major disaster such as Katrina or act of terrorism. A sustained outbreak of disease, such as the Asian bird flu, whether triggered by an emerging strain of influenza or intentional release of a bioterror agent, would be even more problematic because casualties would keep arriving steadily for days to months. Yet despite whether disaster is the result of terrorism, human error, a natural disaster, or epidemic, the country's emergency care system simply lacks the capacity to mount an effective response. This is why it is so critical that anyone who has an inclination to be a human services professional not give up on going in this direction; also it is necessary that those working in this field, regardless of their level of experience or degree, respect one another and work together.