Presents the crisis situation of being a developmentally disabled individual during a wildfire in Southern California.
Present the crisis situation of being a developementally disabled individual during a wildfire in Southern CA.
Identify the crisis and categorize it: situational, developmental, existential or ecosystemic.
Describe your current sense of readiness/preparedness to respond to this crisis.
Present how your own values, beliefs, experiences, and cultural identity that might influence how you work with service users.
Present 1 specific cultural humility challenge or cultural reflexivity challenge you see in the scenario you present.
Identify 3-5 possible initial crisis reactions service users may experience.
Describe a treatment model you would choose.
Compile a list of at least 5 agencies that can serve as a resource guide that you can hand out to service users. Your resource list should include at least 3 local resources (within 50 miles). If you cannot provide 3 local resources, provide a justification.
List the resources you would distribute to service users with detailed information on the following:
Name of agency
Population served
Services provided
Physical address
Web link
Contact information
Describe your plan to minimize the risk of burnout, vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, and countertransference for your team.
Describe the leadership characteristics you will bring to this team. Include how your role as leader can influence positive social change.
The crisis situation is a 35-year-old individual, “Alex,” with a moderate intellectual disability and an anxiety disorder, living in a rural area of Southern California. A large, fast-moving wildfire has erupted nearby, and a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Alex’s community. Alex’s primary caregiver, their elderly mother, is overwhelmed and struggling to organize the evacuation. The electricity has gone out, and the smoke and sirens are causing significant distress for Alex, who is non-verbal but expresses fear through repetitive behaviors and vocalizations. The family has limited resources and no clear evacuation plan.
The crisis is primarily situational. It is an unpredictable, sudden, and traumatic event (the wildfire and forced evacuation) that has overwhelmed the coping mechanisms of Alex and their mother. While there may be underlying developmental and existential components, the immediate trigger and the overwhelming nature of the event place it squarely in the situational category. The crisis is also ecosystemic, as the wildfire is an environmental disaster affecting the entire community, disrupting the individual’s and family’s support systems, and forcing a change in their living situation.
My current sense of readiness to respond to this crisis is moderate. I have a foundational understanding of crisis intervention principles and the unique needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). However, my readiness would be significantly enhanced by specific training and information on local protocols for wildfire emergencies in Southern California, as well as a deeper understanding of the specific support systems and resources available in that particular region. My experience with individuals who are non-verbal would be an asset, but I would need to quickly establish communication strategies with Alex and their mother. I am prepared to act as a calm, directive, and empathetic presence, and to quickly assess the immediate needs and safety of the individuals.