Name: RED CROSS MINESSOTA REGION
Address: 1201 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55454, United States
Phone Number of Agency/Program: +1 612-871-7676
Name and Title of Person Interviewed
Disaster Program Specialist
Physical Description of Agency/Program Setting
Homely, organized and strategically located
- What community needs does the agency attempt to meet? Include a mission statement if the agency/program has one.
The Red Cross intervention team in Minnesota serves an approximate of 5.2 million people in Minnesota and part of Western Wisconsin. Some of the services that the crisis intervention team offers include helping wit shelter, food, counseling services are offered to the victims of the disaster. The Red Cross has also been reported to give up to 40% of the blood supply for ta nation, and it provides training in skills of lifesaving. Supports the families of military soldiers and help in reconnecting families after a disaster and conflict. In addition to this, the mission of the Red Cross organization across the globe is to protect the lives of the victims of conflict ad disaster as well as other violent situations and provide them with adequate assistance. This is an addition to preventing suffering through the promotion and strengthening of the humanitarian laws and the global humanitarian principles.
- How long do they work with clients?
The length of time in which the Red Cross organization works with the clients depends on the nature and depth of the problem and. For instance, a client who looks into reuniting with the family after a disaster or conflict, the organization will work with the particular client till they are joined and still offer follow up services to ensure that the family is safe and contains the basic needs required. Military families, on the other and, may take a much longer time with the organization. The time is, therefore, relative to the service being rendered. Counseling servicing continues till a counselor terminates the session, and follow up is done.
- What is the history of this program/agency?
In September of 1862, during the American civil war battle of Antietam, Clara Barton came across wounded soldiers on the battlefield after the First Minnesota Volunteer Regiment passed over the solder. Clara’s care and assistance for the wounded led to the establishment of the American Red Cross in 1881. The Minnesota Red Cross society was then established in Minneapolis in 1898 May. The organization sought to gain approval from the surgeon of the army in the US to help in sending nurses to help with caring for the soldiers in the war between the Americans and the Spanish. The request was, however, disapproved as the surgeon general did not view military hospitals as places appropriate for the women nurses. The Minnesota program, however, continues to help the victims of the war through World War I and the disease epidemic in 1918. Over the years, the Red Cross program in Minnesota continued to offer help to the victims of war, ten disasters and conflict, and disease epidemics. The program developed slowly through the increase in volunteers and fundings from well-wishers.
- What services do they provide? (Be complete and descriptive).
The Minnesota Red Cross program helps in providing services to individuals who have been affected by disasters through the providence of food, shelter, and emergency suppliers. They do this in collaboration with the community and the government. IT also provides welfare information that helps the affected victims of a crisis to notify their loved ones and family that they are safe and well.
The program also assists in client casework as well as planning for recovery and assistance; this helps in evaluating the immediate needs of a client and also plan for assistance through an action plan that the victims of a crisis can use for some time before re-finding themselves. It also provides disaster and mental health services like counseling, hospitalization, and first aid services. The program also ep sin supplying and supporting in planning, coordination, and execution of programs involving care and strategies.
- Describe the population that is served? Include case examples of typical clients served.
Over the years, the program as helped in serving 5.2 million persons in Minnesota and 5.2 million people both in Minnesota and part of Western Wisconsin. Some of the services rendered include house fires, the collapse of the Mississippi River Bridge, and during flood episodes in Minnesota.
- How many clients do they serve annually?
- How do they define a crisis?
The Red Cross defines a humanitarian crisis as single or a series of events that are threatening to the health, safety, and wellbeing of a community or a large group of people.
- How do the crisis services they offer differ from their other services?
The crisis interventions by the Red Cross department are argent. They go to where the crisis is and do not expect the victims to come to them like standard services they offer like counseling.
- What model (Ch. 1) do they follow?
- Who funds the agency, and how does that affect the services offered?
The program is a humanitarian no-profit organization that receives its funding from well-wishers, constant help from the government, and donations from private and public organizations.
- How many staff are there? What are the levels of formal education of the team? What are the job titles and duties?
The Minnesota region Red Cross has between 10- 15 employees. Some of the titles among the staff include a regional philanthropy officer; there is also a corporate finance officer. This shows that the educational level of the team is high, ranging between college level and high.
- Does this agency/program offer internships or volunteer work to students in the Human Services Program? What would the intern/volunteer position/role be?
The program offers internship programs to students who work as volunteers in the organization.
- In what ways is the agency/program effective? How could their effectiveness be improved? Probe for specific directions.
The agency has been adequate in attending to crisis matters in the Minnesota region as well as in issues of blood donation, family reconnection, and first aid services and CPR. The effectiveness of the program can be improved through more donations and funding, as the people in need are more compared to what the program has, making it strenuous in offering help. The availability of more monetary support and an increase in the staffing will promote a wide span of people to help in the Minnesota region.
- What changes will likely occur for this agency/program in the future?
The program is looking forward to helping issues of air pollution in the future. Besides, with the advancement in technology, it is now possible to calculate the genetic predispositions of infectious disease. The program is, therefore, planning on strategies to help in combatting this crisis in the future. The Minnesota region is also looking forward, besides more staff as the program is slowly growing, and more help is needed for the people of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- Describe your work responsibilities. Describe a typical day.
I got an interview with the disaster program specialist. Some of the responsibilities of this representative include:
Implementation of strategies, tools, plans, processes, and procedures that help in a disaster episode and also look for opportunities that will help in improving the disaster experienced. They also take part in local training, planning, and community outreach responsibilities. A typical day comprises of formulating strategies to help prevent an impending disaster or planning on ways of helping victims out of an emergency like a house fire. They have to find alternative solutions for the safety of the family at risk and ensure they have received immediate needs they require.
- What do you find rewarding in your work?
The most rewarding thing is giving a family in crisis a solution and seeing that they are safe at last, and they can continue with their lives. The new chapter of their lives being accomplished is priceless.
- What is the most challenging part of your work?
Not being able to get a solution to a crisis
- In what ways did your education and experience prepare you for the position you now hold?
I study social work, and it helped me in having practical interpersonal and communication skills. Besides, the knowledge of interpretation of trends and being able to manage multiple priorities through functional problem-solving skills.
- What advice do you have for someone entering the Human Service field?
It is the best field one can be in a sot involves helping others and putting a smile on someone’s face when they have been through the worst. However, it is not easy, but it is worth it.
- Add any other questions you think would help understand this agency.
No questions
- What are your observations about the person you interviewed? Be specific.
The disaster program specialist was the right person. They were very responsive and friendly. Besides, the person was active, and we interviewed as they gave me an orientation of the place. It was a relaxed interview with lots of insight.
- What are your impressions of the agency environment? Were you comfortable? Describe thephysical situation.
The environment of the agency is comfortable and homely. It is not an official office but a pleasant place of humanitarian services, the people are friendly and kind. I was very, much comfortable. The environment is beautiful, with nature surrounding the situation in the form of trees and well-maintained grass. It is also strategically located with well-maintained roads.
- How do you think a person seeking services would feel on entering the agency
A client would feel welcomed and homely in the service location. It can be intimating at first from its cleanliness and organization, but the staff is friendly and ready o help, anyone, at any time with anything.
- Describe your experience and discuss what you’ve learned. Be specific and descriptive.
My experience was terrific, and I enjoyed myself. I learned different types of disasters and crises. I have an opportunity of riding in the firefighters truck, which was very enjoyable. I learned about the work and responsibilities of a disaster program specialist, who, to be honest, I did not know if such a job existed.