East
One major trend in the East coast that has affected Human Services professionals is the Terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 (9/11). There is no doubt that Americans everywhere will remember the tragic events that took place on 9/11 at the World trade Center, Pentagon, and the aborted flight in Pennsylvania. “The loss of lives and property on 9/11 was not large enough to have had a measurable effect on the productive capacity of the United States even though it had a very significant localized effect on New York City and, to a lesser degree, on the Washington, D.C. area” (Woodside & McClam, 2011, pg.? ) . The attack of 9/11 changed many lives in many ways. Every day is a reminder of how life has changed with longer lines at airports, concrete barriers, a greater police presence in cities, a color-coded five-level threat system, and increased emphasis on biological weapons research.
The attacks on 9/11 has affected the work of human service professionals in a major way, encountering clients with both long and short term consequences. Because these attacks were acts of terrorism; people including Human Services professionals may feel helpless. Unsuccessful efforts to understand something that is beyond normal comprehension may result in fear. The American Psychological Association (2007) divides these people into three categories: (1) survivors of past traumatic events, (2) people who personally witnessed or were victims of the terrorist act, and (3) those who experience trauma from learning of friends, family, and others who were subject to the violence or from exposure to repeated media accounts. Some of the symptoms clients of a Human Service professional had included recurring thoughts of the incident, isolation, survivor guilt, and feeling the loss of control over ones’ life. If the client experienced the attack, there may be significant injuries, confusion, panic, and strained health. It is a Human service professional obligation to help the victim of the 9/11 attacks to understand the delayed reactions of fear and helplessness, the importance of maintaining a routine, the sharing of feelings and concerns, learning what has happened, and what is being done to combat terrorism. Those individuals, who suffer from the long-term effects deal with fear or hatred of foreigners, called xenophobia, which can become a social and psychological danger, and result in diversity among communities or populations. The fear generated by terrorism and the concern about future terrorist acts has increased stress and anxiety in daily lives. This demographic trend has influenced the needs in the delivery of human service professional by enhancing the necessitated efforts to engage the client as a partner in the helping process.
North
Being a home owner is a huge accomplishment for many families and individuals who have made the sacrifice financially providing stability for self or family. For some, the sacrifice did not come easy and for others ownership was a breeze. In either situation, victim of the poor economy has taken away precious moments and memories from many families. After the 911 attack, many companies found themselves in situations of cutting staff or close the business because of lack of money being spent or put out into the economy.
The city of Detroit were among many affected by the national foreclosure crisis, as people lost their jobs, many could no longer meet their obligation of a mortgage payment. This caused homes to become abandoned and havens for drug use, prostitution, and other crimes. As a result of the crimes in those areas, the property value of homes went down.
In