NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES

Children after Hurricanes and Homicides: Local Experts Find Ways to Help

Press Release
Contact: Alison Salloum, Ph.D (504) 723-0594
Children's Bureau of New Orleans
Start date: Immediately

A recent study with children from Algiers Charter Schools shows that a therapeutic intervention used with children after homicide is also helpful for children experiencing traumatic stress, grief and loss after Hurricane Katrina.

Project LAST (Loss and Survival Team), a program of Children's Bureau of New Orleans, since 1990 has specialized in helping children who had loved ones murdered and/or who witnessed a homicide. LAST developed specific therapeutic services geared toward decreasing the pain and suffering of children experiencing grief, trauma, and loss. The program is nationally recognized and training sessions have been provided around the country. These therapeutic techniques to ease the stress are now being used with children after the storm. Dr. Alison Salloum, a Children's Bureau social worker who has worked with traumatized children in the New Orleans area said, "We know that our children are experiencing significant post-traumatic stress as a result of the hurricane, and some are at higher risk due to the combination of past traumas and losses and the added stress from the storm. The storm did not wash way past pain."

Whether children evacuated or stayed for the storm, most felt scared. Of the fifty six children who participated, 89% indicated that they were scared that they or someone they loved might get hurt or die due to Hurricane Katrina, and 88% indicated that when they think about everything that happened with the hurricane, it made them feel bad and upset. Half of the children who participated received group counseling and the other half received individual counseling. There were no differences between the two groups with both groups showing improvement. After completing the Project LAST ten-week school-based intervention, children reported experiencing less post-traumatic stress and depression. In fact 91% of children reported a decrease in post-traumatic stress symptoms. One twelve year old boy who stayed in the Superdome stated "It helped me express how I felt about Katrina and I felt better." This type of improvement can lead to better academic performance and more positive behavior. The program is being funded by The Institute of Mental Hygiene, a local foundation.

With such positive results, LAST will continue to offer services to children who are experiencing distress due to hurricanes, homicides, or any type of trauma. For more information contact the Children's Bureau at (504)525-2366.

Historic New Orleans Collection by Mark Cave

Although its approach to children's issues has changed over time, the mission of the Children's Bureau has remained the same - to improve the quality of life for children and their families. The organization has recently donated its archive to The Historic New Orleans Collection

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