Social Work Disaster Network Ready to Launch

Natural disasters are becoming more common in Alberta, fueled in part by our changing climate.

As Albertan’s learned with the 2013 floods and the 2016 wildfires, disasters can have a catastrophic impact on local communities. Social Workers and other social service professionals play a vital role in disasters, though many feel unprepared for the roles they’re asked to fill. A new Alberta network is looking to connect and educate social workers and other professionals, to better prepare them for the next disaster.

“During a disaster, social workers are involved at every level. My research showed that many of these trained professionals feel unprepared for the roles they’re asked to assume during a natural disaster. We’re hoping this network will help to address that.”

Dr. Julie Drolet, co-lead of the initiative, and professor in the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary 

The Alberta Social Work and Disaster Network is being launched by Drolet and Bonnie Lewin on June 22, 10 a.m. – noon in an online event.  The goal of the new network is to help social workers and other health professionals to learn, build relationships, share disaster experiences and create connections across the province.

“I think this network will provide an important new opportunity for social work practitioners, students and social service professionals to learn from each other and offer support to build awareness and connections in advance of the next disaster in Alberta,” says Lewin who is employed by The City of Calgary, CEMA (Calgary Emergency Management Agency) as a Business Continuity and Recovery Planner, ESS Planner and is the Chair of ESSNA (Emergency Social Services Network of Alberta.)

“This network will provide training opportunities that should really strengthen social worker’s response during Alberta’s next disaster.”

Bonnie Lewin, co-lead of the initiative, and emergency social services planner, City of Calgary

 The Social Work and Disaster network follows Drolet’s research that collected the experiences and perceptions of over 100 social workers and other professionals through individual interviews and online surveys. The research identified the critical roles that social service providers play during a disaster and focused on their experiences following the 2016 Alberta wildfires. The study also revealed a need to support social workers and human service professionals involved in all phases of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

 

Media Contact

Donald McSwiney
Communications Manager, Faculty of Social Work
403.220.7083
403.408.9701
don.mcswiney@ucalgary.ca

About the University of Calgary

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About the Social Work and Disaster Network

The SWAD network aims to build capacity and create awareness of the role of social workers and social services professionals in disaster contexts. The network contributes to building a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable society while reducing inequalities and vulnerabilities in Alberta. SWAD Network will facilitate information exchange, networking, and collaboration through training opportunities, peer-support, and educational events in the social work and disaster context.

To join the Network, please email swadnetwork@gmail.com or join the SWAD Facebook Group