Thursday, Apr 22, 2021
A scientific visit by students of the Department of Sociology and Social Work - College of Humanities and Sciences to the Dubai Community Development Authority
As part of its continuous efforts to consolidate its relations with governmental and private community institutions, and to enhance communication with partners to achieve its societal responsibility, and within the framework of the policy pursued by the University of Science & Technology of Fujairah in its vision and interaction with the community, and to provide students with experience and knowledge through direct contact and linking the theoretical aspect to the field reality.
Students of the Department of Sociology and Social Work studying the Social Work and Social Defense course, under the supervision of Dr. Asmaa Ahmed, made a virtual visit to the Department of the Most Vulnerable Groups of the Community Development Authority in Dubai on Thursday the 22nd of April 2021. The visit aimed to introduce students to the professional role of social workers in caring for the most vulnerable groups. This is by getting to know the services and programs provided by the Dubai Community Development Authority to take care of the inmates of penal and correctional institutions and their families, and the care and rehabilitation of addicts recovering from addiction, and the programs provided to satisfy the needs and face the social problems associated with these groups.
This is by getting to know the services and programs provided by the Dubai Community Development Authority to take care of the inmates of penal and correctional institutions and their families, and the care and rehabilitation of addicts recovering from addiction, and the programs provided to satisfy the needs and face the social problems associated with these groups.
The visit started with an introductory video about the various services and programs provided by the Community Development Authority in Dubai, then the meeting was initiated by Dr. Hoda Al Suwaidi, Director of the Department of the Most Vulnerable Groups, who gave a presentation in which she spoke about the most important programs, services and initiatives provided by the Department of the most vulnerable groups to take care of the inmates of penal and correctional institutions And the released and their families, which include counseling programs, support services, psychological, social and material support, and help inmates and released detainees to overcome any difficulties or problems that prevent them from adapting to society. She also emphasized that the success of these programs depends greatly on the role of the family, how cooperative they are and effective participation in providing support and assistance to its families and helping them to adhere to the implementation of these plans and programs in an optimal manner. For these groups, what helps their integration and empowerment in society.
Then Mr. Badr Al Hosani made a presentation in which he included the services and programs that are provided for the care and rehabilitation of addicts through the Aounak
(your Help) Center for Social Rehabilitation for those recovering from addiction and at risk of addiction, and the services provided by the center aimed at raising awareness among groups of society in general and the youth group in particular about means of preventing the dangers of drug addiction.
He also talked about the center's role in rehabilitating those recovering from addiction abuse through treatment and rehabilitation programs based on scientific foundations with a focus on providing psychological and social support to them, as well as stressing the importance of aftercare programs to protect recovered people from the risk of relapse and return to abuse and addiction again. A set of training programs are initiated to develop the psychological and social skills of the recovered, in addition to periodic follow-up to help them face any challenges, to ensure that they do not relapse again.
After that, the door was opened for discussion and response to students' inquiries, which were related to practical practices and realistic models for professional interventions with cases.
At the end of the meeting, Dr. Asmaa Ahmed ,the visit supervisor, gave a closing speech in which she thanked the work team in charge of organizing and implementing the visit, and stressed the importance of the role of the Community Development Authority in Dubai through its preventive, curative and developmental efforts, and considered it a fundamental supporter for the most vulnerable groups, especially since the efforts done with these groups needs protection from the circumstances and challenges that could spoil them. She also stressed the importance of the professional role of social workers in preparing and designing professional intervention programs through a multidisciplinary team with the aim of raising the level of knowledge, experience and skills needed for these groups and helping them to plan for their future. Dr. Asmaa also emphasized to raise their level of awareness and help them overcome any problems that may hinder their psychological and social compatibility in society.
Dr. Asmaa Ahmed