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...

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.
When I decided to go into this field, I knew it would be difficult, challenging and highly competitive. I just did not know the extent. I forgot how much it is in the American culture to want to continually get ahead in life and better one's socioeconomic status. I get frustrated at what others want, as well as my wants some times. However, I hope I will not become jaded as I get more into the field. When situations like Katrina arise, it is possible to see how important people like me are needed. It is also possible to realize how thankful I should be with what I have compared to so many others.

As the demographics continue to change in the future decades with the number of elderly increasing, it will become more important for human service professionals to do the most they can for the resources available. I recognize that my field will not be an easy one, but I will be proud that people like those in Louisiana and I can work together to make their lives better.