A Storm Called Erika: Lessons from a Service-Learning, Community-Based Psychosocial Support Post Disaster Response

University of Louisiana System. 1201 North Third Street Suite 7-300. Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Tel: 337-482-1015; Fax: 337-482-5374; e-mail: service@louisiana.edu; Web site: http://journals.sfu.ca/jslhe/index.php/jslhe

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Service Learning; Natural Disasters; Student Attitudes; Student Participation; Foreign Countries; School Community Relationship; Social Support Groups; Community Involvement; Internship Programs; Social Services; College Students; College Role

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This paper examines students' experiences as a post disaster response in the Caribbean. The examination of reports of graduate Psychology and Social Work students, a Social Work Practitioner and programme staff of the Dominica Social Welfare Division who were involved in the University of the West Indies' (UWI) Service-Learning programme, the Caribbean Internship Programme (CIP), provides critical considerations for service-learning as a model to be utilised in the future. The study revealed the following: (1) the experience of severe hazardous events has redefined the types of support needs of the Dominica Social Welfare Division. This will impact the nature of the partnership between the Division and the UWI/CIP; (2) grassroots community-based agency prompts the propensity for mutual support and regional integration; (3) pre-disaster preparation dynamics must be understood for there to be effective post disaster recovery responses; and (4) the need for greater collaboration in revising the social work programme curriculum to meet the changing needs of organisations facilitating service-learning.

As Provided

2020

EJ1242881