Environmental Justice in Crisis: Addressing Disparities in Communities

Environmental Justice in Crisis: Addressing Wildfire Disparities Among Communities of Color and Low-Income Populations

Thursday, January 29 | 12pm-2pm (EST)
Virtual Training (2 CE)

Facilitator:

Kimberly Warmsley, MSW, LCSW
Kimbery Warmsely Enterprise, CEO
Former Councilmember and Vice Mayor, Stockton City Council

Program Overview:

In this urgent and comprehensive course, participants will examine the profound impact of natural disasters on vulnerable communities, focusing on the recent catastrophic wildfires in the Los Angeles region. Through an in-depth exploration of the intersection of climate change, racial and socioeconomic disparities, and systemic barriers to recovery, the course highlights the critical role of social workers in disaster response and recovery.

Building lessons from previous disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Camille, this course provides a framework for how social workers can help mitigate inequities and support long-term healing and resilience for marginalized populations in the aftermath of wildfires. As a profession rooted in social justice, social work holds a responsibility to respond to environmental justice issues, recognizing that environmental degradation disproportionately affects historically disinvested communities. Addressing environmental justice in these communities is an act of racial justice—necessary to protect and enhance environmental protections for those most impacted.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Analyze the geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic factors contributing to disparities in wildfire impact, specifically among communities of color and low-income populations.
• Identify the unique challenges affected communities face, including housing loss, economic instability, and health disparities, and how these factors hinder recovery efforts.
• Understand the psychological and emotional toll of wildfires on survivors, especially in marginalized communities, and apply trauma-informed, culturally competent strategies in mental health support.
• Explore the systemic barriers exacerbating the inequities in disaster response, such as insufficient planning, communication failures, and barriers to insurance and financial assistance.
• Examine the essential role of social workers in advocating for equitable disaster response, providing mental health support, and contributing to long-term recovery efforts.
• Develop strategies for supporting communities in building resilience and preparing for future disasters through systemic change and policy advocacy, including environmental and racial justice efforts.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for social workers, disaster response professionals, public health advocates, and community leaders involved in disaster response, recovery, and resilience building. It is particularly relevant for those working in areas affected by wildfires or other climate-related disasters and those advocating for systemic change to address the needs of marginalized populations.