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PERSPECTIVES ONSOCIAL WORK

The Journal of the Doctoral Students of the University of Houston

Winter 2017 VOLUME 13 ISSUE #2

©2017PerspectivesonSocialWork

Perspectives on Social Work Special Edition Issue

Editor

Kenya R. Minott

Editorial Board

Tamara Al Rawwad Flor Avellaneda Nicholas Hardy

Rebecca L. Mauldin Ann Webb

Faculty Sponsor

Sheara Williams Jennings, PhD

SPECIAL EDITION ISSUE: A Call to Action in Perspectives on Social Work EDITORIAL

The devastation of Hurricane Harvey and its impact on the community is something from which many Houston residents are still trying to recover. Moving toward any resemblance of “normalcy” requires strength and determination at the individual, family, and community level. At the Graduate College of Social Work, that strength and determination was felt immediately as faculty and students began working together to build a network of support among each other and a rapid response to the greater community. As a result, our editorial board felt it important to document the experiences of some of our doctoral students and faculty directly involved. Each submission was reviewed internally by our editorial board and faculty chair.

Prior literature supports how individual resilience, when motivated by supportive networks, could lead to an increase in ability to manage crisis and stress during traumatic experiences (Norris et, al. 2007). In this issue, there are three unique perspectives shared. We are excited to share reflections from our Dean, Dr. Alan Dettlaff, who helped to coordinate efforts that led to social work students and staff volunteering to not only help at disaster relief shelters, but to also support each other with housing, supplies, rides to campus, and emotional support (2017). Our second essay is a personal account from a fourth year doctoral student on Hurricane Harvey, the loss of her home, and its impact on her life (Webb, 2017). Our final submission is a collaborative piece submitted by two doctoral students who gathered information from conversations had with social workers who volunteered during the relief efforts. They offer insight on the call to action, the use of social work skills during disaster relief, and recommendations for practice (Zhou and Crawford, 2017).

These essays represent the core of our social work values as they intersect with real life traumatic events and the reconciliation our own vulnerabilities during those experiences. Although we acknowledge that future writings might offer empirical, evidenced-based research on the disaster, we publish this special edition to lift up the voices from our graduate college community.

Kenya R. Minott, MSW University of Houston

Editor

References Dettlaff, A. (2017). Reflections on a storm. Perspectives on Social Work, 13(2), 3-5. Norris, F., Stevens, S., Pfefferbaum, B., Wyche, K., and Pfefferbaum, R. (2007). Community resilience as a

metaphor, theory, set of capacities, and strategy for disaster readiness. Community Psychology, 41(1-2), 127-150. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1007/s10464-007-9156-6/full. DOI:10.1007/s10464-007-9156-6.

Webb, A. (2017). Home. Perspectives on Social Work, 13(2), 6-12. Zhou, S. and Crawford, C. (2017). After the Storm: Reflections on Volunteering at Shelters after Hurricane Harvey.

Perspectives on Social Work, 13(2), 13-19.

ReflectionsonaStorm

AlanJ.Dettlaff

GraduateCollegeofSocialWork,UniversityofHouston

CorrespondenceshouldbeaddressedtoAlanDettlaff,UniversityofHouston,GraduateCollegeofSocialWork,3511CullenBlvd,Room110HA,Houston,TX77204.Email:ajdettlaff@uh.edu

OnAugust25,2017,whentheUniversityofHoustoncloseditscampusinanticipationofHurricaneHarvey,Ihadnoideawhatwasinstore.BeingstillnewtoHouston,Ihadexperiencedrainandflooding,buthadnotyetexperiencedtheimpactofastormofthisnature.Inthedaysthatfollowed,itquicklybecameclearthatwewereexperiencingwhatwenowknowwasahistoricweatherevent.IwaspersonallyveryfortunatetoliveinapartofHoustonthatwasnotseverelyimpactedbyHurricaneHarvey.Therewasrain,butnosignificantflooding.However,Iwatched,alongwiththerestofthecountry,muchofthecityofHoustonanditsresidentsexperienceincredibledevastation.ManystudentsoftheGraduateCollegeofSocialWork,andseveralfacultyandstaff,experiencedsignificantfloodingandmanywereforcedtoevacuatetheirhomesandcommunities.Whiletheextenttowhichpersonalproperty,includinghomesandotherbelongings,waslostamongthoseimpactedvaried,thetraumaexperiencedbyallwassignificant.Forourstudents,thistraumawasheightenedbytheanxietythatalreadyexistedduetothestartoftheacademicyear,whichhadbegunjustoneweekpriortothestorm.Inthedaysthatfollowed,manyofourstudentsexpressedconcernsabouthowHurricaneHarveyandtheuniversity’sclosurewouldimpacttheirassignments,duedates,completionoffieldhours,andeventheirtimelineforgraduation.Duringthistime,Ifoundthatitwasmosthelpfultobeinregularcommunicationwithourstudentstoassurethemthataccommodationswouldbemadeasaresultofwhatnowwouldbeashortenedsemester.Primarily,Iwantedtoensurethatourstudentsfocusedontheirhealthandtheirsafety,andnotbeworriedaboutschool.Tothisend,IamgreatlyappreciativeoftheGCSWfacultyandtotheadministrationoftheUniversityofHouston,whouniformlyemphasizedflexibilityandunderstandingasourstudentsgraduallyadjustedbacktotheroutineoftheacademicsemesteroncetheUniversityofHoustoncampusreopenedonSeptember5,2017.

WhilethedevastationinflictedbyHurricaneHarveywasclear,andthechallengesforourstudents,faculty,andstaffwouldcontinuethroughoutthesemester,Iwasalsoamazedtowitnesstheincredibleheroismandgracethatemergedfromthishistoricstorm.HurricaneHarvey,asdevastatingasitwas,alsoshinedalightuponHoustonasamodelforstrength,resiliency,andhope.Astheweeksfollowingthestormunfolded,Iwasstruckby

Dettlaff,REFLECTIONSONASTORM 4

thegenerosityofthiscommunityanditsresidents,asweallcametogethertohelpthoseinneed.Shelterswereopenedovernight,massivedonationsoffood,clothing,andcashwerereceiveddaily,andHoustonianswereinthestreetsandinourneighborhoods,cleaningouthouses,removingdebris,andensuringthatthemostvulnerableresidentsofthecityweresafeandsheltered.AsthemostdiversecityinAmerica,wecametogethertoachieveourcommongoals,tovalueandseekeachother’suniquestrengths,andtoserveourneighborsandourcommunitiesinwaysthatshowedweareallinthistogether.Asanon-nativeHoustonian,IfeltproudofthiscityandproudtocallHoustonmyhome.

Also,Iwasparticularlyproudofourstudentsandalumniwhoansweredthemanycallsforhelp,especiallythosespecificallyrequestingsocialworkersatthenumeroussheltersthathadopenedacrossthecity.Ourstudentsandalumniprovidedmuchofthementalhealthandcrisisservicestothoseimpactedbythestormandcontinuetodosotoday.Inaddition,ourstudents,facultyandstaffsponsoredclothingdrives,fooddrives,diaperdrives,andmanyotheractivitiesinadditiontothenumerousvolunteerhourstheycontributedtothoseinneed.

Iamalsogratefultothemanycallsandoffersofhelpfromcolleaguesacrossthecountry,fromschoolsofsocialworknearandfar.Yourthoughtsandmessagesofsolidarityandconcernweregreatlyappreciatedbyallofus,andIamhonoredtobeapartofthisincrediblygeneroussocialworkcommunity.

Astheweeksfollowingthestormunfoldedandsomesenseofnormalcyemerged,Iamalsoincrediblyproudofourstudents,faculty,andstafffordivingbackintotheworkwehavecommittedtodoingandtotheoutcomeswearecommittedtoachieving.AttheGraduateCollegeofSocialWork,ourvisionistoachievesocial,racial,economic,andpoliticaljustice,localtoglobal,andHurricaneHarveydidnothingtoimpactourresolveanddedicationtopursuingthisvision.Ourstudent-ledPolicyInsidersAdvisoryCommitteehostedeventsfocusingonhottopicsinimmigrationpolicyandre-entryprogramsforthoseinvolvedinthecriminaljusticesystem.WewelcomedJeffHobbstocampus,authorofTheShortandTragicLifeofRobertPeace,ourSocialJusticeSummerReadingselection,whometwithstudentsandpresentedtoourbroadersocialworkcommunity.WeconcludedthesemesterwithaninspiringpresentationfromDeRayMckesson,anationalleaderintheBlackLivesMattermovement,followedbyastudent-leddemonstrationto“TakeaKnee”toraiseawarenessforracialjustice,abuseofpower,andfreedomofspeech.OurstudentsandourGCSWcommunityfacedthechallengesbroughtbyHurricaneHarvey,andrespondedwithunwaveringresolvetoadvanceourvision,despitethosechallenges.

Buildingonourstrengthsandourachievementsthissemester,wearelookingforwardtocontinuingwhatiscertaintobelongrunningrecoveryefforts,aswellas

Dettlaff,REFLECTIONSONASTORM 5

continuedopportunitiestoachieveourvision.Althoughwehaveallbeenimpactedinsomeway,thedevastationleftbehindbyHarveyisvastlyovershadowedbytheselflessnessandgraceofHouston’sresidents,aswellasourcommonresolvetomoveforwardandtoserve.AttheGraduateCollegeofSocialWork,ourvisionisourpriority,andwewillcontinuepursuingthisvisionuntiljusticeisnolongeranaspiration,butareality.

AlanJ.DettlaffwasappointedDeanoftheGraduateCollegeofSocialWorkandtheinauguralMacondaBrownO’ConnorEndowedDean’sChairinMay2015.PriortojoiningtheUniversityofHouston,DeanDettlaffservedonthefacultyoftheJaneAddamsCollegeofSocialWorkattheUniversityofIllinoisatChicago.Hereceivedhisbachelor’sdegreeinsocialworkfromTCU,andmaster’sinsocialworkandPhDfromtheUniversityofTexasatArlington.

DeanDettlaff’sworkfocusesonimprovingoutcomesforchildrenandyouthinthechildwelfaresystemthroughexaminingthefactorscontributingtoracialdisparitiesandimprovingculturalresponsiveness.HisresearchandconsultationwithstatechildwelfaresystemshasledtosignificantpolicyandpracticeimprovementsthathaveresultedinreductionsintheoverrepresentationofAfricanAmericanchildreninthesesystems.DeanDettlaffhasalsoconductedgroundbreakingresearchtoidentifyandunderstandtheuniqueneedsofimmigrantLatinochildrenandfamiliesinvolvedinchildwelfare.

DeanDettlaffisco-editorofAddressingRacialDisproportionalityandDisparitiesinHumanServices:MultisystemicApproachesandImmigrantandRefugeeChildrenandFamilies:CulturallyResponsivePractice,publishedbyColumbiaUniversityPress.HeservesontheeditorialboardsofChildWelfare,ChildAbuse&Neglect,andJournalofPublicChildWelfare.

“Home”

AnnWebb,JD,LCSW

GraduateCollegeofSocialWork,UniversityofHouston

CorrespondenceshouldbeaddressedtoAnnWebb,UniversityofHouston,GraduateCollegeofSocialWork,3511CullenBlvd,Room110HA,Houston,TX77204.Email:ann.elizabeth.webb@gmail.com

SincemyhouseandmostofitscontentsweredestroyedbyHurricaneHarvey,Ihavebeengivingalotofthoughttotheword“home.”OverwhelmedasI(andmyfamily)havebeenbythelossofwhatmybrotherdescribedas“aleveeoftrash,”andothers,lesscharitably,havedescribedas“apileofshit,”Ihavebeenalittlesurprisedathoweasyithasbeentoletgoofallthatstuff.Whathasbeenharder,hasbeenthesensethatIhavelostmycenter,myidentity,myhome.

Myfamilyandmypetsweresafelyoutoftownwhenthewaterrose,andweweresparedthetraumaofwatchingthewatercomein,ortheterroroftryingtoevacuatewithpetsandchildrenthroughhighwaterinthemiddleofthenight.StuckinthefarnorthernsuburbsofHouston,IpassedthetimefreneticallyfillingoutFEMAapplications,textingmyneighbors,watchingthenews,obsessingaboutwhatwewouldfindwhenwegotbacktotown,andstockinguponsuppliesattheclosestWal-Martandhomeimprovementstore.Inhindsight,loading100piecesofsheetrockonatrailerinadownpourmightnothavebeenthemostproductiveuseofmytime,butdoinganythinggavemeasenseofcontroloverasituationIcouldnotevenimagine.

MytenuousgriponcontrolevaporatedonTuesday,August29.Withmajorroads

intoandwithinHoustonstillclosedbyhighwater,mycontractor(theworddoesnotbegintodescribetherelationshipIhavewiththisman,whowas,andcontinuestobe,mysaviorthroughallofthis)calledtosayhehadmadeittomyhousewithateamoflaborersandIneededtocomehome.WithGoogleflummoxedbyallthehighwater,andchallengeswithcellphonereceptioninremotepartsofthearea,mysonandIsetoutwithpapermapsandsporadicphonecallstoanotherfriendwhowasguidingourprogressthroughruralMontgomeryCountywithaTexasmapandastronginternetconnection.Althoughwehadtomakeasignificantdetour,withnooneelseontheroads,ourtripintoHoustonwasmuchquickerthanweexpected,andwepulledintoourneighborhoodatabout4:00pm.

Althoughsomeofthefamiliesinnewhomesneverleft,wewerethefirstfloodedfamilytomakeitbacktotheneighborhood,andthesilencewaseerie.Atthattimeofday,ourstreetsareusuallybusywithdogwalkers,kidsonbikes,andrandompeopletakingadvantageofourtree-linedstreetstogetinsomecardio.ButonthatTuesdayafternoon,

Webb,HOME 7theonlyactivityseemedtobeatmyhouse.Ourneighborhoodofmid-centuryranch-stylehousesjustoffBraysBayouwasbadlyaffectedbythefloodwaters.Everyoriginalhometookonwater,fromjustafewinchesontheedgesoftheneighborhood,to3-4feetonthestreetsclosesttothebayou.Outof146homes,only20,allofthemnewconstruction,didnothaveanywateratall.Twoorthreeothershadonlygarageflooding.Myhousehadalmostthreefeetofwaterenterthegarage,boththelowestpartofthehouseandthesideclosesttothebayou.Basedonwaterlinesonthewallsandfurniture,therewasatleast24incheswaterineveryotherroomofthehouse.Theworkershadalreadyemptiedtherefrigeratorsandfreezerofspoiledfood,andhadpulledwater-loggedsofasandmattressestothecurb.Mylivingroomsofa,onwhichdozensofvisitorshadslept,wasthefirstthingIsawwhenwepulledup.

Mycontractormetusatthegarageandtriedtoprepareusforwhatwewouldseeinside.“It’sbad,”hesaid.Wewalkedslowlythroughthehouse,withmysonandItryingtotakeinthescopeofwhatwewereseeing.Mostofthewaterwasgone,althoughaninchortworemainedintwoofthebedroomswhichseemedtohavetightersealsthantheotherrooms.Somethingsseemedsurprisinglynormal.MykitchentablewasstillneatlystackedwithpaperworkIhadcleanedupbeforeleavingthehousefivedaysearlier.Thehardwoodparquetfloorinmyden,atfirstglance,lookedunscathed,whilethehardwoodfloorinthelivinganddiningroomhadbuckledandliftedbyseveralinches.Our1871pianohadwatermarksonthelegsandpedallyre,butthekeyboardandsoundboardseemeduntouched.Cupsandsaucersonthebottomshelvesofmychinacabinetwerefullofdirtywater,butotherwiseundamaged.Thechinacabinetitself,however,waswarpedandtheveneerwaspeelingoffthelowersurfaces.Bookcases,whichwehadineverysingleroomofthehouse,weresoakedwithwater,andonatleastthebottomtwoshelves(andinsomecaseshigher),thebookshadswollentothepointwherewecouldnotremovethem.Mynewlyrenovatedbathroom,finishedjust10daysbeforethestorm,lookeduntouched.UntilIopenedthebottomcabinetdrawerstofind14inchesofwaterstillcoveringmyhairdryerandextratoiletpaper.Therewerestillseveralinchesofstandingwaterinmydaughter’sbedroom,whichwasstrewnwiththedetritusleftbehindwhensheleftforcollegethedaybeforethestormhit,allofwhichwasnowsoakedwithfloodwaters.Theguestroom,whichcontainedseveralfamilyantiques,andhadalsobeenthestoragespotforallofthepictureswehadtakenoffthewallsinordertopaintjusttwoweeksearlier,stillhadseveralinchesofwater.Miraculously,wehadpowerandworkingairconditioning.

Thescopeoftheworktobedonewasoverwhelming,andIfoundmyselfalmostparalyzedinthefaceofit.Tomysurprise,thehousedidnotsmell,butallofmyothersenseswerebombarded.Ourworkersweresuckinguptheremainingfloodwaterswithshopvacs,tearingoutsheetrock,hardwoodflooringandpaneling,andhaulingfloodedappliancestothecurb.Itwasnoisyandchaotic.Everythingwetouchedwasslimyfromthefloodwaters.Ourjobwastopackupthesalvageablestuff,butatthispoint,itwasjustmeandmyson,andIfoundmyselfliterallyspinningincircles,lookingaroundthedifferentrooms,tryingtofigureoutwheretostart.Thefirst,almostimpossiblejob,wasdeciding

Webb,HOME 8whatwassalvageableandwhatwasnot.Butthispresentedanotherchallenge.Ihadpurchasedbleachandglovesandgarbagebagsandsheetrock,butdidn’tthinkabouttheneedformovingboxestopackthosethingsthatweweresalvaging.NothingnearuswasopensoIstartedtextingfriendsinthesuburbs,askingthemtobuyboxesandtape.Inthemiddleofallthechaos,Igotagroupemailfrommydepartmentchair,askingfordoctoralstudentstocheckinwithheronourstatus.Ifiredbackaquickmessage,sayingthatmyhousehadflooded,andwentbacktotheheart-wrenchingjobofemptyingbookshelvesthathadheldfirsteditionscollectedbymylatehusband.Weworkeduntildark,withmegoingfromoneroomtothenext,tacklingonespotuntilitbecameoverwhelming,thenmovingtoanother.Astheafternoonandeveningworeon,neighborsstartedcominghome.Mybrotherandtwoorthreeotherfriendsarrivedandstartedmovingfurniturewewerehopingtosalvagetothesunshineinthefrontyardtostartthedryingoutprocess.Bythetimedarknessfell,wewerefilthy,exhaustedandoverwhelmed.Onsomelevel,Iwashopingwe’dbeheadingbacktothepeaceofourrefugeonLakeConroe,andneithermysonnorIhadevenbroughtachangeofclothes.AlthoughIhadtheforesighttopackpajamas,Ihadn’tmadeaplanforwherewe’dbesleeping.Wewenthomethatnightwithmybrother,wholoanedusclothesandfedusdinner.

Thenextmorning,Iwasbackatthehouseby7am.Before8,thefirstoftheangels

fromtheGraduateCollegeofSocialWorkturnedup,thisoneintheformofourAssistantDean,whoarrivedwithgloves,masks,andtheincreasinglynecessaryplasticbins,cardboardboxesandtape.Asshewasleavingtodeliversuppliestootherfloodedcolleagues,thechairofthePhDprogramarrivedandstartedsortingphotosandpapersfordrying.Bymid-morning,thereweremorethan50peopleinmyhouse,fromthecrewofimmigrantworkerswhoweretearingthehousedowntostudsandconcrete,tothedeanofourCollegeandhishusbandwhopackedupmychinacabinet;totheHongKongexchangestudentswhowerepresenteverysingledayuntilthehousewascompletelyempty,andwhothoughtfullypulledtogetheraboxofnecessitiesfortheapartmentwewouldbemovinginto;tomyRussian“child”whosupervisedtheclean-outofmydaughter’sbedroom,attemptingtosalvagetreasuresfromherdadandgrandmother;tothefacultymemberswhodiddemoworkandpackedupmyofficeandcounseledmeonhowtosupportmyyoungadultchildrenthroughtheprocess;tothefriendsandcompletestrangerswhoshowedupwithfood,includingawomanwhoshowedupwithpizzaandleftwithmylaundry;tothedozensofpeoplewhotookawaybagsofsoakedclothingandreturneditcleananddry.Wewereinundatedwithsupportthatwasmuchmorepowerfulthanthefloodwaters.Overwhelmeddoesnotcomeclosetodescribingmyemotions.

Iamasocialworker.Iknowabouttraumaandgrief.Intellectually,Ihadnotroublenormalizingthegriefassociatedwiththelossofallofthesematerialthings.Icandescribethesymptomsofacutestressdisorder,andreadilyidentifiedtheminmyselfandinmyneighbors:nightmares,flashbacks,irritability,inabilitytoconcentrate,weepinessandincreasedemotionality.ButIamasocialworker.Idothehelping.Iamnotsupposedtoneedhelp.Itwasn’tjusttheprofoundlossthathadmedisoriented.Itwasthelossofa

Webb,HOME 9fundamentalpartofmyidentity.Ididn’tknowhowtoaskforhelp.Ididn’tknowhowtoaccepthelp.Ifoundmyselfdissolvingintearswhenastrangerstoppedbywithbreakfasttacos,stompingmyfeetinfrustrationwhenIfoundourwetbutsalvageableembroideredChristmasstockingssittingontopofthetrashpile,andshoutingatpeoplewholovedmeandhadthemisfortuneofaskingmewhatIneededthemtodonext.Inquietmoments,andthereweren’tverymanyofthose,mythoughtswouldturnawayfromthethingsthatwehadlost,andfocusonthememories:thefamilygatherings;Thanksgivingdinnerswehostedwithinternationalfriends;thefriendswhotookrefugeinourguestroomfromnaturaldisastersorfamilyconflict;thewelcomingreceptionforourdeanandhishusband;thebirthdayparties;thedozensofstudentswhosharedourlivesandourtable.WhowasI,ifIwasn’ttheonewelcomingthestranger,hostingthehomeless,supportingothersincrisis?Overnight,Ibecametheonewhowashomeless,theonewhowasincrisis,theonewhoneededsupport.

Within72hours,thehousewasdemo’ddowntothestuds,andthesecondwaveofworkbegan:gettingsalvageablestufftostorageandmovingwhatwaslefttoournewapartment.Anotherroundofangelsappeared,arrivingfromoutoftownwithfreshenergytounpack,organize,groceryshop,andpickoutbasicfurniture.Perhapsmostimportantly,theyprovidedemotionallystableshouldersformychildren,andwerepresenttohelpmakemydaughter’s24thbirthdaysomethinglessthantotallyawful.Inwhatseemedliketheblinkofaneye,butwasreallymorelikesevenoreightdays,thepossessionsofacoupleoflifetimesandthecontentsofa3200squarefoothousewerereducedtoa10x20storageunitandaverybaretwo-bedroomapartment.Treasuresmymotherhadcartedacrossthecountry,somedatingbackacenturyormore,weredestroyed.Firsteditionbookscollectedbymylatehusband,hauledtothecurb.Photosandalbumsfrommyownchildhood,mydaughter’schildhood,mylatehusband’schildhood,allgone.Mattresses,boxsprings,sofas,dressers,bookshelves,consignedtothepileoftrash.

Whenyoulookedatthepileoftrash,youwouldthinktherecouldn’tbeanythingleft.Butwesavedthepianomygreat-greatauntwasawardedin1871asaprizeforgraduatingfirstinherclass.TheNoritakechinamyfatherbroughthomefromOccupiedJapanafterWorldWarIIandtheRoyalCopenhagendishesthatmyauntpurchasedinDenmarkfollowingthewar,werecleanedandnowissafelyinstorage.Anorientalrughasbeencleanedandlookstobeasgoodasnew.Randompiecesoffurnituresurvived,includingthekitchentableandchairs,andacoupleofcheapcardtables.Severalchairs,includingtheantiquerockerinwhichInursedmydaughter,arebeingrestored.Pots,pansandeverydaydisheshavebeenwashedandarebackinuse.

Threemonthslater,thecurbisclean,andthegrasshasgrownback,butmyhouseisbarrenandmyneighborhoodremainsaghosttown.Halfthetime,Ican’trememberwhereIliveandamcontinuouslygivingpeoplethewrongaddress.Atleastonceaweek,IdriveonautopilothalfwaytothewronghousebeforerememberingthatIdon’tlivethereanymore.Mydogshaven’tquitefiguredoutthisnewlyurbanlifestyle,wherepeople

Webb,HOME` 10wanderdownthestreetatallhours,andthefootstepsoftheupstairstenanttriggercacophonouswarningsofunseendangers.OrdinaryconversationsbecomecomplicatedasIstumbleoversimplephraseslike“I’llcallyouwhenIgethome,”andIactuallyspendhourstryingtofigureouthowtodescribetheplacesIlive.Is“home”theplacethatflooded?OrtheapartmentwhereIlive?DoIjustdescribetheneighborhoods,withoutclaimingtheconnectionthatmakesaplaceahome?

ImissmyhouseandImissmystuff.Imisstheking-sizedbedwhereIcouldsleep

comfortablywithtwobigdogs.ImissmykitchenwhereIcould,almostalways,locatetheutensilsIneededtofixalmostanythingIwantedanddidn’tneedtomakewhatseemlikedailytripstoWal-Martforavegetablepeeler,oraspatula,orabowlbigenoughtomixpasta.ImissthedoggydoorthatmeantIdidn’thavetoplaydoormanfordogswhocan’tfigureoutwhethertheywanttobeinorout.ImisstheneighborsI’veknownforyears,andwalkedwithdaily,andwhoarescatteredacrossthecity.Butasthedaysgoby,lifehassettledintosomethingthatseemsnormal.Ilovemyapartment,withhardwoodfloorsandbigwindows.I’mdiscoveringthatdownsizingisn’tallbad,andIreallycanlivecomfortablyinaspacethatisaboutathirdthesizeofwhatIwasusedto.IlovebeingbackintheurbancoreofHouston,wheremanyofmyfloodedneighborsandfriendshavealsosettled,whereIcanwalktochurch,andbreakfast,andthegrocerystore.

Butitisn’tyethome.HomeiswhereIraisedmydaughterandfosterson,lostmyhusbandfartooearly,celebratedmymother’s80thbirthday,hostedsomanydinners,studysessions,houseguests,andinternationalstudentsIcametoloveasmyownchildren.WhereThanksgivingdinnerincludedfriendsfromaroundtheworld,andmydadsingingbawdysongshelearnedwhileservinginthePacificTheaterduringWorldWarII.TheplacewhereMuslimandHindustudentsfromPakistanandTunisiaspentThanksgivingnightdecoratingmyChristmastreewithmyJewishfostersonandChristiandaughter.WhereChristmasEvesincludedmyJewishsonwaitingforSantawithMuslimchildrenwhilemyChristiandaughterandIattendedmidnightmasswiththeirmother.Whereoneofthosechildrenwokemeupat2:00amonChristmasmorningasking“AuntieAnn,AuntieAnn,isitChristmasmorningyet?”Andwhosefirstquestionwhenhesawmynewapartmentwas“wherewillwewaitforSantathisyear?”TheonlyanswerIhadforhimthenwas“we’llfigureitout.Santawillfindus.”

Afteralotofsoul-searchingandnumbercrunching,myfamilyhasdecidedthatourbestoptionistorepairourhouse,butnotreturntoliveinit.Withthemarketgluttedwithfloodedhomes,sellingnowwouldbetoomuchofafinancialloss.Assumingwedon’tfloodagain,myrealtorfriendstellmethatthemarketwillrecoverandweareluckytobeinapositiontowaititoutforabit.Returningtothehousemakeslittlesenseeither,asmykidsarefinishingcollegeandIamfinishingaPhD.Giventhevagariesoftheacademicmarket,thereisnowaytoknowwhereIwillfindajobnextyear.Wenolongerhavethestufftofilla4-bedroomhouse,anditmakeslittlesensetopurchaseallthatfurniturewhenIdon’tknowwhereIormychildrenwillbeinayear.So,wewillstayinourapartmentforthe

Webb,HOME 11moment.Wewillrepairandhopefullyfindtenantswhowilllovethehouseasmuchaswehave.Mygoalistohavethehouseputbacktogetherintimetohostonelastparty:agraduationcelebrationinMayformydaughter.

Thestormhasunquestionablytakenatoll.Withoutfloodinsurance,mysavingshastakenasignificanthit,althoughIamgratefulforFEMAassistanceandtheavailabilityofanSBAdisasterloantohelpwiththerecoveryprocess.Ihadplannedtodefendmydissertationinthespringof2018,butdissertationresearchthisfalltookadistantsecondplacetoresearchingthevariousoptionsfordealingwithmyfloodedhome.Ihavepushedbackmytimelinewithagoalofdefendinginthesummerof2018.Icontinuetoexperienceattentionandconcentrationdifficulties,andfrequentlyfeellikeIcan’tkeepathoughtinmyheadformorethanaminuteortwo.Ihaveneglectedfriendships,ignorednewbabiesandforgottenbirthdays.Thesoundofrain,whichusedtoberelaxing,nowtriggersmildanxiety.Idon’tgetnearlyenoughexercise,asthegymIpreviouslyvisitedseveraltimesaweekisnolongerlessthanamilefrommyhome,andtheneighborsIwalkedwithdailyarescatteredtothefourwinds.IeatoutfarmoreoftenthanIusedto,inpartbecauseitisfuntotrynewrestaurantsinmynewpartoftown,butalsobecauseeverytimeItrytocookameal,Idiscoversomethingelsethatismostlikelyinstorage,butmostdefinitelyisnotinmykitchen.Asisalwaysthecaseafteraloss,theholidayshavebeenchallengingthisyear.Afteryearsofhostingothers,IwasdevastatedwhennooneseemedtothinkaboutinvitingustosharetheirThanksgivingdinner.Rationally,IknewthatmanyofthepeoplewhohadbeenatourThanksgivingfeastswereneighborswhohadalsoflooded,orstudentswhohadreturnedtotheirhomecountries,butnonetheless,Ifoundmyselfgrievingalloveragain.ButwehavefiguredoutaplantowaitforSanta,whohasgraciouslyagreedtovisitafewdaysearly,sothatwecanhaveChristmaswithourMuslimchildrenandalsowithouroldestfriendsinNewOrleans.Thetraditionsarechanging,butmyfamilyissurroundedbyloveandthesupportofourextendedandadoptedfamilyandfriends.

Unquestionably,ithasbeenadifficultsemester.Whenpeopleaskhowyougetthroughadisasterlikethis,Ithinktheonlyansweris“onestepatatime.”IamprivilegedinmorewaysthanIcanbegintocomprehend,andmyfamilyiswellonourwaytorecovery.IamlookingforwardtothedaythatIcanreturntomycomfortzone,andagainbecomethecaregiver,thesocialworker,andprovidearefugetothoseinneed.Inthemeantime,wearebuildinganewhomeandmakingnewmemories.

Webb,HOME 12

AnnE.Webbisanattorney,alicensedclinicalsocialworker,andaPh.D.studentattheUniversityofHouston,whereherresearchfocusesontheintersectionofsocialworkandthelaw,withaparticularinterestinmultidisciplinarypracticeinvolvingsocialworkersandlawyers,andimmigrationissuesaffectingchildrenandfamilies.Shehasservedasfacultyoncollaborativeprojectsinvolvingsocialworkandlawstudentsassistingdetainedwomenandchildrenseekingasylum.Herscholarlyagendaisinformedbyherexperienceasalawyerandsocialworkclinician,andbyherroleasanadvocateforunderservedpopulations.

AftertheStorm:ReflectionsonVolunteeringatSheltersafterHurricaneHarvey

ShuZhou,LMSW

GraduateCollegeofSocialWork,UniversityofHouston

ClaireCrawford,LMSW

UniversityofTexasHealthScienceCenteratHoustonSchoolofPublicHealth,DepartmentofHealthPromotionandBehavioralSciences

CorrespondenceshouldbeaddressedtoShuZhou,UniversityofHouston,GraduateCollegeofSocialWork,3511CullenBlvd,Room110HA,Houston,TX77204.Email:szhou6@uh.edu

Introduction

Asclimatechangeincreasinglydevastatesallareasoftheglobethroughnaturaldisasters,vulnerablepopulationsaredisproportionatelyaffected.Peoplewithunstablehousing,littleincome,andpoorhealthpriortoamajordisasterwillhaveaccesstoevenfewerresourcesaftertheirhomes,jobs,andenvironmentshavebeendestroyed.NaturaldisasterssuchasHurricanesHarveyinHouston,IrmainFlorida,MariainPuertoRico,firesalongtheWestCoastoftheUnitedStates,monsoonsinIndia,andearthquakesinMexicohaveendedanddisruptedthousandsoflivesin2017alone.TheeffectsofHurricaneHarveydrewsocialworkersfromthecityofHouston,Texas,tovolunteerindroves,whetheratshelters,churches,homes,schools,foodbanks,orotherplacesinneed.Itwasinspiringtowatchassocialworkersfrommacroandclinicalsettings,fromadministrationandmedicine,fromprivatepracticeandschoolsappearedacrossthecitytogivetheirtime.

Whydidtheydoit?Tohelpothers,ofcourse,butwhatisattheheartofthesocial

workprofessionthatmakesusbothsodriventohelpinatimeofneedandsouniquelyqualifiedtoserveothers?And,moreimportantly,whatcanwedobetternexttimetoensurethatwefullyutilizetheabundanceofskillsandtimesocialworkersarewillingtogiveafternaturaldisasters?Collectively,thetwoauthorswithLMSWspentapproximatelyfourdaysservingassocialworkvolunteersatalargepublicshelterfollowingHurricane

Zhou&Crawford,AFTERTHESTORM 14Harvey.Basedontheauthors’ownexperiencesandtheirconversationswithothersocialworkvolunteers,thisarticlereflectstheauthors’perspectivesonthesocialworkresponsetoHurricaneHarveyandfuturedisasterreliefefforts.

SocialWorkResponse

MotivationtoVolunteer

ThesecondauthorspokewithtensocialworkersabouttheirexperiencesvolunteeringatsheltersduringHurricaneHarvey.Mostofthesocialworkers,includingtheauthorherself,citedsomesourceofinnerdrivethatgoesbymanynames.Somesaidtheyfeltacalling,otherscitedtheirservice-orientedpersonality,andmanysimplystatedthattheycouldn’timaginenotdoingsomethingafterseeingtheirfellowHoustoniansinneed.Manysocialworkers,includingthoseinhighereducationadministration,research,teaching,ormanyfacetsofmacrosocialworkdonotprovidedirectclientinterventionsonaregularbasis.Thesesocialworkersfeltitwasparticularlyimportanttovolunteerandspendtimeinthefieldwiththosedirectlyaffectedsincetheywouldnotencountertheclientsintheirjobs.Socialworkersweredevastatedfromwatchingfamiliesstruggletofindtheirmostbasicneedsonlocalnewschannelsandfelttheymustcontributetothehealingoftheircity..Manyofthereasonssocialworkerscitedforvolunteeringreflectedthereasonstheyenteredthefieldofsocialwork.

CallstoAction Whatevermotivatedsocialworkerstovolunteerworked.Majorpublicshelterswereestablishedaroundthecity,includingtheGeorgeR.BrownConventionCenter(GRB)indowntownHouston,whichhousedmorethan10,000people,andNRGParknearReliantStadiuminHouston’smedicalcenter,whichhousedmorethan2,000people(Collier,Satija,&Formby,2017).Localofficialsissuedurgentrequestsforkilledvolunteersattheseshelters.TwitterandFacebookpostsfromMayorSylvesterTurner,DirectorofHousingandCommunityDevelopmentTomMcCasland,andtheCityofHoustonelicitedhelpfromsocialworkersandotherhealthprofessionals.Forexample,theCityofHouston(2017)TwitteraccounttweetedthefollowingintheearlydaysofthehurricaneonAugust28th:“GEORGER.BROWNNEEDSLICENSEDMEDICALPROFESSIONALS,RNs&SOCIALWORKERS.Ifyoucansafelygetthere,go.FindTomMcCaslandheadofops.”ThepostswerewidelysharedandcirculatedbyinfluentialmembersoftheHoustonsocialworkcommunity,includingtheUniversityofHoustonGraduateCollegeofSocialWork(GCSW)dean,AlanDettlaff.ThoughsomesocialworkersheardaboutopportunitiestovolunteerthroughTVorradionewschannels,manycitedatleastonesocialmediaplatformastheirsourceofvolunteerinformation.Thesocialmediapostsoftenincludedlinkstosignupforvolunteershiftsonline,thoughtheefficiencyoftheselinksvariedwidely.Socialworkersfromaroundthecityrespondedwithzealtothesecallsforsocialworksupportatshelters.TheycontinuedtosignupandshowupatthesheltersintheweeksafterHarvey,sometimes

Zhou&Crawford,AFTERTHESTORM 15missingworkorskippingsleeptomakethemselvespresentfortheshelterresidents.Often,somanysocialworkersarrivedatashelterthatsomehadtobeturnedaway.SocialWorkSkills

Whyweresocialworkerssoheavilyrecruitedtohelpintheshelters,andwhatmakesussouniquelyqualifiedtoprovideourskillsduringdisasterreliefefforts?PerhapstheanswerliesinthecorevaluesfromNationalAssociationofSocialWorkers(NASW)CodeofEthicswithwhichallsocialworkersbecomefamiliarduringgraduateschool:socialjustice,dignityandworthoftheperson,importanceofhumanrelationships,integrity,andcompetence.Manyoftheresidentsatlargeshelterswerepeopleofcolorfromlowsocioeconomichouseholdswhowereintheirmostvulnerablestate;theyweredrivenoutoftheirhomesbythefloods,forcedtoleavebehindtheplacesandthingstheyhadworkedsohardtoobtain,traumatizedbythelossoflifeastheyhadknownitonlydaysbefore.Socialworkersworkedtowardsocialjusticebyensuringthatresidentsoftheshelters(or“guests,”astheywerecalledatNRG)weredirectedtotheresourcestheyneeded,includingfood,shelter,andsuppliesforthemselvesandtheirchildren.Wepromotedresidents’dignitythroughhonoringtheirspace;thetemporarycotsresidentswereissuedwerelikelymeagercomparedtomanyresidents’usualdwellings,butthespacewastheonlyareaoftheshelterthatwastheirsforthetime.Weusedourintegrityandleadershiptomakechangeswhenandwherewecouldthatwouldbenefittheresidents.Werecognizedandrespectedthatmanyguestsmaydisplaysignsoftrauma,mentalillness,andanger,andwerespondedtothosesymptomswithcoresocialworkcompetencieslearnedrecentlyormanyyearsagoinoursocialworktraining.

Finally,andperhapsmostimportantly,wefocusedontheimportanceof

relationships.Insuchanabbreviatedtime,withlimitedprivacyorresources,wetriedourbesttomakeothersfeelvaluedandheard.Weworkedtoreuniteparentswithchildren,friendswithfriends,andpeoplewiththeirbelovedpets.Alast-minutepolicychangeintheearlydaysofthestormallowedpetstobehousedindoorsatsheltersasaresponsetocomplaintsduringHurricaneKatrinain2005frompetownerswhoweredevastatedbyseparationfromtheirpetswhowerenotallowedintotheshelterswiththem(Brulliard,2017).Weformedourownrelationshipswithresidents,howeverfleetingtheymighthavebeen.Welistened.Weheard.Wevalidated.Perhapstootherprofessions,listeningseemstrivial.However,afteralloursocialworkeducation,training,andyearsofpractice,weknowthatlisteningwithempathyisanartandagift.Itwas,tomanyresidents,anincrediblyimportantgiftduringatimewhentheydidnotneedadviceorjudgment,justaneartohearwhattheyhadendured.Asaprofession,weunderstandthatthereisatimeandaplaceforempathiclisteningjustasthereisforadvice,andwearetrainedtoknowthedifference.Intheshelters,wefocusedonstrengthsandempoweredresidentstodrawupontheirdeepestwellsofstrengthduringatimewhenlifecouldseemhopeless.Theimportanceoffosteringsuchrelationshipsthroughthesimpleactoflisteningaftersuchatraumaticeventcannotbeoverstated.

Zhou&Crawford,AFTERTHESTORM 16

Socialworkersclearlyhaveavastpoolofskillsandtoolstoofferduringanatural

disaster,andyetsomeoftheireffortswerenotfullyutilizedwhentheyarrivedatshelters.Asnotedpreviously,somesocialworkerswereturnedawaybecausetoomanyvolunteershadalreadycome.Othersconductedunskilled,butstilluseful,taskssuchaswelcomingpeopletothesheltersororganizingdonations.Thoughthesetaskscouldhavebeenperformedbyothervolunteers,somesocialworkskillssuchasde-escalationandproblemsolvingproveduseful.However,largermissedopportunitiesoccurredwhensocialworkersweredirectedtoadesignatedareaformentalhealthprofessionalsandwaitedinanticipationforhourswithoutspeakingtoasingleresident.Askilledprofessionalhadtakentimefromherday,madetheefforttodrivetoashelter,park,andfindthementalhealtharea,andherskillswerenotutilized.Forsomesocialworkers,thesebarriersdeterredthemfromattemptingtovolunteeragain.Thesebarriersresultedinvolunteerswhofeltdisappointed,demoralized,anduselessinatimeofneedandresidentswholostthebenefitofavaluablesourceofsupport.Howcanwepreventthisfromhappeninginthefuturesuchthatweareabletoadequatelyusetheservicesofferedbyvolunteersocialworkers?

RecommendationsforPractice

Basedontheirownexperiences,reflections,andconversationswithothersocialworkers,theauthorshavesummarizedsomesuggestionsforbetterutilizingsocialworkers’skillsindisasterreliefvolunteerroles.

First,shelterstaffshouldidentifyprofessionals’backgroundandspecializedskills.WhentheauthorsweresigninguptovolunteerattheNRGshelter,thehostorganization,BakerRipley,collectedthisimportantinformationonvolunteerapplications.Inadditiontoquestionsregardingcurrentemployment,theBakerRipleyonlineapplicationalsoasked,“Whatpassionsorskillswouldyouliketoshare?”Amultiple-choicelistprovidedoptionssuchasteachingandmentoring,healthcareandnutrition,andothers.WhentheauthorsarrivedtheNRGshelterontheserviceday,theyhadanotherchancetoreporttheirskillstothestaffatthecheck-intable.Staffappearedtodocumentthefirstauthor’sadditionalcredentialsandskills,whichincludedholdingaLicensedMasterSocialWorker(LMSW)andfluencyinChineseMandarin.Allofthisinformationprovidedthesocialserviceagencywithageneralsenseofvolunteers’competencyandexpertise.

However,afterthefirstauthorenteredtheNRGshelter,thestaffdidnotappearto

assignrolesbaseduponvolunteers’skills.Thefirstauthorwaitedinthelobbyareaforhourswithmanyothervolunteerswholikelylackedspecializedmentalhealthcareskills,asstaffannouncedvariousbasicneedsandthenumberofvolunteersrequiredtoaccomplishthatneed.Forexample,afloodofvolunteerswhohadbeenwaitingforhoursrushedforwardtobesenttosetupcotsinthesleepingarea,butmanyhadtoreturntotheirseatsasthestaffmemberonlyneededagroupoffiveforcotsetup.Afterwaitingfor

Zhou&Crawford,AFTERTHESTORM 17anhourinthelobbyforavolunteerassignment,thefirstauthorfinallyassignedtotheareawherefemaleresidentswereassignedtosleepinhopesoffindingaplacewhereshecouldbeuseful.

Therefore,thesecondsuggestionistoassigntaskswithintheshelterbasedon

volunteers’skillsandstrengths.Sincethevolunteerapplicationandthecheck-inprocesswerebothconductedonline,theinformationshouldbeaccessibletothevolunteercoordinatoronsite.Ratherthanassigningvolunteerstotasksbasedonhowlongtheyhavebeenwaitingtoserve,theyshouldbegroupedintoskillsetsandassignedtotaskswheretheycanbeofthemostbenefittotheorganizationortheresidents.Forexample,whenstaffneedsomeonetowalkaroundinthesinglefemaleareatocheckinwithresidentswhomightbestrugglingemotionally,theycansearchintheirdatabaseforsocialworkersandcounselors,whoaremorelikelygoodatbuildingrapportandactivelylistening,particularlyinsuchashortperiodoftime.

Third,someareascouldusemorevolunteerstoserveasfloaters,greeters,and

mediators.Forexample,thefirstauthorultimatelydecidedtovolunteerinthesectionoftheshelterdesignatedforhandingoutdonationstoresidents,andtheareawouldhavebenefittedfrommanymorevolunteers.Evenintimeswhenfewresidentswerepickingupitems,thereweremanytasksforvolunteerstocomplete.Asfloaters,theycouldhelptoreorganizethediapersandclothesbysizes,rearrangethemessypilesofshoes,orjustwalkingaroundtogetfamiliarwiththeareaaspreparationforthenextroundofpickingupandpacking.Whenthepickuplinegrowsandresultsinlongerwaittimes,volunteerscouldactas“greeters”andcheckinwithresidentsastheywait.Duringthesecheck-ins,thevolunteerscouldcollectresidents’donationrequests,delivertherequeststothe“runner”whoretrievesitems,andexplainwhichinformationtheresidentswillneedtopresentatthedonationscheck-in.Takingthetimetoexplaintheprocessmaymakeresidentsfeelmorecomfortableandateaseastheybecomefamiliarwiththevariousprocessesoftheshelter.Thegreeters’conversationswiththewaitingresidentscanalsohelptoeasetheirnegativeemotionssuchasanxietyandangerresultingfromlongtimewaitingandothergeneralcomplications.

Thoughthesheltertriestoprovideasmanysupplies,resources,andservicesto

residentsaspossible,itwillinevitablyfallshortofexpectationsandcausefrustrationamongresidents.Forexample,runnersmightbeunabletoprovideastrollertoaresidentinneedbecauseallstrollershavebeenclaimedbyotherresidents,orcheck-involunteersaccidentallyfailtowritedownalltheitemsresidentsrequested.Aprofessionalwithmediationandde-escalationskillsmayprovideexcellentsupportastheyhelpresidentsproblemsolveinsuchcircumstances.Havingaprofessionalasathirdpersontoprovidemediationwouldhelplessskilledrunnersandbusycheck-involunteerstoreturntotheirstationsandcontinuedistributingitems,whiletheconflictscanbesolvedbysomeoneelse.Unfortunately,inthefirstauthors’experience,thedonationcenterexperiencedahighvolumeofresidentsinthepick-uplinewithtoofewskilledandunskilledstaffto

Zhou&Crawford,AFTERTHESTORM 18adequatelycontrolthearea,whilemanyothervolunteerswerestillwaitinginthelobbyfortheirassignments.Whenaccidentsoccurred,theinvolvedvolunteersincludingthefirstauthorhadtostopworkingtocomfortunsatisfiedresidents,causingthewaitanddissatisfactiontogrowexponentially.Thisexampledemonstratesthatevenshelterareasthatarenotspecificallydesignatedtomentalhealthorresourcesmaybenefitgreatlyfromthepresenceofprofessionalswhocanlendtheirskillstomaintainapeacefulenvironmentforresidentsandvolunteersalike.

Conclusions

ThedevastatingaftermathofHurricaneHarveyinHouston,TX,inspiredmanysocialworkers,includingthetwoauthors,tocontributetheirtimeandskillsthroughvolunteeringatlargelocalshelters.Socialworkersidentifiedopportunitiestovolunteerprimarilythroughsocialmediapoststhatinformedthemwhenandwheretheirskillswereneeded.Socialworkvolunteerscontributedmanyvaluableskillsattheshelters,includingempathy,listening,mediation,de-escalation,andproblemsolving.Theexperiencewasoftenrewarding,fulfilling,andfrustratingduetochangeableorganizationalfactors.Asclimatechangebecomesagrowingconcern,theneedforsocialworkerstomobilizeinfuturedisastersituationsisimminent.Tobestservethepeoplewhowillneedusmost,weneedtoensurethatwearepreparedtofullyutilizetheskillssocialworkersandotherprofessionalscanoffer.Shelterstaffshouldidentifytheprofessionals’specializedskillsandinterests,createandassigntasksthatarerelevanttothoseinterests,andusespecializedvolunteersincomplementaryroleswithgeneralvolunteerstomaximizeeffectiveness.Theserecommendationswillhelpsheltersusesocialworkers’uniqueskillset,andhelpsocialworkvolunteersfeelmorevalued,andencouragevolunteerstoreturntotheshelterforadditionalshifts.

ReferencesBruillard,K.(2017,August31).HowthechaosofHurricaneKatrinahelpedsavepetsfrom

floodinginTexas.TheWashingtonPost.Retrievedfromhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2017/08/31/how-the-chaos-of-hurricane-katrina-helped-save-pets-from-flooding-in-texas/?utm_term=.b59920256ab4

CityofHouston.[HoustonTX].(2017,August28).GEORGER.BROWNNEEDSLICENSEDMEDICALPROFESSIONALS,RNs&SOCIALWORKERS.Ifyoucansafelygetthere,go.FindTomMcCaslandheadofops[Tweet].Retrievedfromhttps://twitter.com/houstontx/status/902283771218558978

Collier,K.,Satija,N.,&Formby,B.(2017,August31).AsHarveyleavesTexasbehind,Houstonsheltersremainalifelineforthousands.TheTexasTribune.Retrievedfromhttps://www.texastribune.org/2017/08/31/houston-hurricane-shelters-remain-home-and-lifeline-thousands/

Zhou&Crawford,AFTERTHESTORM 19

ShuZhou,LMSW,isadoctoralteachingassistantandstudentambassadorattheGraduateCollegeofSocialWork,UniversityofHouston.ShehasreceivedtheFutureFacultyFellowship,GraduateTuitionFellowship,andthePresidentialScholarship.Ms.ZhoureceivedherBachelorofLawinSocialWorkfromCentralChinaNormalUniversityandherMSWwithMediationCertificatefromColoradoStateUniversity.SheisaLicensedMasterSocialWorkerintheStateofTexasandhasreceivedintensivetraininginchildwelfareandcasemanagementfromArizonaDepartmentofEconomicSecurityandArizonaStateUniversity.AsaninternationalstudentfromMainlandChina,Ms.Zhouhasbeencontributingherexperiencetopractice,researchandteachinginbothChinaandtheU.S.SheisacolumnistforfiveChinesesocialworkmagazinesandwebsites,andhaspublished22articlesinChinaSocialWork,atopsocialworkmagazineinChina.Currently,sheservesasaTeachingAssistantfortheMSWFoundationprogram.Ms.Zhou’sresearchinterestsarerelatedtochildwelfare,socialworkeducationandsupervision.

ClaireCrawford,LMSW,isamedicalsocialworkeratTexasChildren’sHospitalandasecond-yearPhDstudentintheDepartmentofHealthPromotionandBehavioralScienceattheUniversityofTexasHealthScienceCenteratHoustonSchoolofPublicHealthinHouston,TX.ShereceivedherMasterofSocialWorkdegreeattheUniversityofHoustonGraduateCollegeOfSocialWorkin2016withaspecializationinSocialSupportforChildrenwithPhysicalDifferences.Claireisdedicatedtopromotingtheintersectionofsocialworkandpublichealthtofacilitatehigherqualityoflifeamongvulnerablepopulations.Herresearchandpracticeinterestsincludesocialsupportinmedicalsettingsandmaternalchildhealth.

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