Disaster Response Workshop to Be Held March 25

Baylor University's School of Social Work and the American Red Cross will sponsor a community crisis response workshop for social workers on March 25 at the Eastland Lakes Conference Center. "Social Workers: Responding to Disaster and Crisis," the topic for the annual Preston Dyer Spring Workshop, will feature presentations on disaster management structures, the American Red Cross' disaster relief and volunteer programs, crisis theory and volunteer opportunities.
"We hope to use this workshop as a springboard for developing a community-wide crisis response system," said Kay O'Brien, lecturer in social work. "When you consider recent community crises, such as the Branch Davidian standoff or the incident in Jasper, you can see that communities need a coordinated system."
"We want to examine what the role of social workers is in a community crisis, and if any gaps in service exist, how social workers can fill the gaps," said Helen Harris, lecturer in social work. "At the present time, the Waco area does not have a formalized crisis response structure."
The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will end at 5 p.m. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Cost to attend the workshop is $50 for community practitioners and $10 for students, field instructors and faculty. An $8 fee for continuing education units will be charged.
For more information, contact the School of Social Work at 710-1165.