Kansas' experience in dealing with relief and recovery.(Letter to the editor)

Dear Editor:

I found the December 2008 issue of Policy & Practice particularly interesting due to the focus on disaster relief and recovery efforts. During my two years as secretary, we have responded to three events that thankfully did not affect as many individuals and families as those experienced by Louisiana. However, these did involve significant trauma for those involved and required a significant commitment from our state to meet the challenges presented.

There are two areas that did not receive the focus I believe is warranted. First is that our staff, due to their experience in human services, proved particularly skilled at helping people adjust to their losses and to begin to cope with the challenges ahead. Not only were they providing food and shelter, but also spent time simply listening as those affected began to absorb the enormity of their losses and impact on their lives. Many of the staff involved told of the stories they heard and the emotions they experienced while assisting their fellow citizens. This experience was a ...