2010HSV- Disaster Recovery & Community Practice- Case Study- Socio Economic Assignment- Griffith University

Internal Code: MAS5177 Disaster Recovery & Community Practice Scenario: You are the community worker based in a community centre, in a low socio economic neighborhood in a regional city. The Centre worker position is funded by the State Government as part of a local neighborhood rejuvenation program. The Community Centre building is owned and maintained by the local city Council. The Community Centre is managed by a volunteer management committee. You have worked in this community Centre for two (2) years, you have worked alongside community members and you have developed relationships and an understanding of the issues facing this community. There has been growing racial tension between local residents in recent times. The region has seen an increase in migrant and refugee families resettling into the community. In the weeks before the flood disaster an incident occurred that was tagged as a “riot” or “street clash” between two families, one an Aboriginal family the other a refugee family. This became national news and tensions have been whipped up. Community members attending the Community Centre have spoken about witnessing Aboriginal and refugee people being harassed on the bus, on the street, in shopping centers and at school. A flood disaster event has impacted on this community and the Community Centre became the location for an emergency recovery centre. The Centre provided emergency assistance to residents evacuated from their homes. The emergency phase has now ended and residents have been able to return to their homes. Homes have been cleaned up, damage assessment has occurred and people are attempting to piece their lives and livelihoods back together. During this time of disaster and recovery work you, other practitioners and residents have heard expressed a number of critical issues effecting community members. Three of these issues are outlined below. Issues to be Addressed:

• After visiting flood effected community members, an issue heard a number of times concerns household having trouble filling in documents, forms, insurance claims and other material to gain assistance. Some people struggled with literacy, English as their second language, or negotiating government assistance.
• The community centre playgroup has resumed to meet on Tuesdays. Over the last three weeks at morning tea break in the playgroup some parents and carers spoke about their own, a friend or a family members feelings of anxiousness, sadness and stress. These feelings relate to a sense of loss and change since the flood event. As a practitioner you are aware of the effects a traumatic incident can have on individuals, families and communities. People stated that they feel they cannot deal with this issue alone and need help to support family and friends.
• This community has experienced flood events in the past. Three residential streets in a low lying area close the river are always adversely effected in any flood event. The residents in these households are unable to seek adequate insurance. This area is predominately rental housing and rent is cheap. Some residents are known to the community center and some households seek assistance from the groups and services offered at the community center. As the community worker you are aware of these households struggle time and again to get back on their feet. Some move on but some have no choice. People want to stay in the area where they feel most connected and supported but cannot afford other forms of housing.