Crisis situation of being a developmentally disabled individual during a wildfire in Southern California.

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.
Provide a reference slide.

Full Answer Section

              His mother, Maria, is 68 years old and uses a walker due to a recent hip replacement. She is Leo's primary caregiver and is in a state of panic. The sudden alarm of the evacuation notice, the blaring sirens, and the thick smoke have caused her to become disoriented. She is struggling to pack essential medications, Leo's special snacks, and his AAC device while also trying to physically assist him. The loud, insistent knocking on the door is causing Leo to rock back and forth, covering his ears, and he is unable to use his tablet. Maria is desperately trying to explain the situation to the police officer at the door, but her stress is making it difficult to communicate clearly. The crisis is not just the wildfire, but the complete destabilization of their safe and predictable world.

2. Crisis Identification and Categorization

The crisis presented is fundamentally a situational crisis.
  • Situational Crisis: This category is defined by a sudden, unexpected, and hazardous event that is not part of the normal life cycle. A wildfire is a classic example of a situational crisis. It is an external, unpreventable event that disrupts an individual's normal functioning and overwhelms their coping mechanisms. The mandatory evacuation and the immediate threat to their home and safety are the core stressors.
While it is a situational crisis, it has significant ecosystemic elements. The ecosystemic crisis refers to a natural or human-made disaster that impacts a large population. The wildfire itself is an ecosystemic event that has triggered a specific situational crisis for Leo and Maria. It is also important to acknowledge potential developmental impacts, as the trauma of this event could disrupt Leo's developmental progress and impact his mother's ability to continue in her role as a caregiver

Sample Answer

         

. The Crisis Situation

The setting is a quiet, suburban home in Ventura, Southern California. The air is thick with smoke, and a rapidly moving wildfire is threatening the community. The local authorities have issued a mandatory evacuation order, and a police officer is going door-to-door, urging residents to leave. Inside the home are Leo and his mother. Leo is a 32-year-old man with a developmental disability, specifically on the autism spectrum. He is non-verbal and communicates primarily through a tablet-based AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device and a few simple gestures. Leo's routine is his anchor; any sudden change or unexpected sensory input can trigger intense anxiety and a behavioral meltdown.