Promising Practices in Long Term Disaster Recovery
for Disability Organizations
Thursday, December 10, 2015 ~ 11:00 AM (PST)
Presenters:

Charles Craig, Voluntary Agency Liaison from FEMA

Corey Nygaard, Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination, FEMA

Joann Scordino, Regional Disability Integration Specialist from FEMA Regional 9

Stephanie Brady, Assistant Executive Director, The Independent Living Center, Inc

Juli Gallup, Disability Integration Advisor with FEMA
Juli Gallup
Disability Integration Advisor with FEMA
What is a Long Term
Recovery Group?
FEMA California Valley and Butte Fires
It’s Not Over Yet
To many, the ‘disaster is over’ before those
affected have had a chance to rebuild their homes
or their lives.
Middletown, California
Whole Community
• Planning For and With Everyone: FEMA initiative
focuses planning for the actual make-up of the
community to ensure we provide equal access to
every disaster survivor regardless of age, economics,
or accessibility requirements.
• Leveraging Community Resources: Further we
must embrace the philosophy and operational posture
that leverages and serves the whole community.
Disasters affect everyone
• People with disabilities who are affected by disaster
may have significant unmet needs
• Disability Community Services and Advocacy Groups
have a vital role to play in the recovery process
• Disability Community Partners have the skillset to
connect people to local resources and benefits
• Long Term Recovery Groups address unmet needs in
the community
The Role of Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
• CILs and other disability services and advocacy organizations bring expertise to the
planning, response, and recovery phases. CILs have trusting relationships with community
members with disabilities and can help facilitate better outcomes for survivors.
• Provide disability awareness training and resources for first responders and volunteers
• Advocate for the needs of survivors (housing, replace medical equipment and assistive
devices, preparedness planning, etc.)
• Facilitate access to interpreter services and access to actionable information resources
throughout response and recovery
• Facilitate access to assistive devices and durable medical equipment in shelters and
throughout recovery
Importance of CILs as Disaster Resources
• Provide Resources and Referrals
• Assist First Responders with Identifying People in Need
• Have Trust Relationships with Community—bridge between
government, first responders, and disability services and
advocacy groups
• Have Access to Information, Technology and XXX
• Equipment to Aid in Planning, Response, and Recovery
• Often have access to interpreters to assist with providing
equal access to effective communication
Addressing accommodations
• Meeting the equal access requirements of
disaster survivors.
• Disability groups can help with identifying
resources to ensure that equal access and
accommodation is provided.
Long Term Recovery Group Value
• There is an existing structure that bring groups together to
help survivors towards their recovery
• Disability groups must be a part of this structure
• Accessibility perspective is often overlooked by these groups
and this has a negative effect on survivors and the whole
community
• Disability Services and Advocacy groups have the knowledge,
expertise and access to facilitate equal access to buildings,
programs and communication for survivors with disabilities
Charles Craig
Voluntary Agency Liaison from FEMA
Long Term Recovery Groups
Sequence Of Delivery
Sequence of Delivery
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
EMERGENCY NEEDS
LTRG FORMATION
INSURANCE
INDIVIDUALS & HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM (IHP)
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE
SBA
HOME/PERSONAL
PROPERTY LOAN
OTHER NEEDS
ASSISTANCE
IMMEDIATE & NECESSARY
NEEDS
UNMET NEEDS
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FROM
VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS/DONORS
Sequence of Delivery
Mass Care / Emergency Assistance
Shelter
 Feeding
 Clothing
 Evacuation Support
 Reunification Services
 Household Pets
 Distribution of
Commodities
Mass Care/ Support Services
Voluntary Agencies
•
Case Work-Referrals&
Resources
•
Child Care
•
Clean-up
•
Debris Removal
•
Financial Assistance for
Emergency needs
•
Donated Items
Insurance
 Homeowners
(real/personal property)
 Renters (personal
property)
 Flood
 Earthquake
 Sewer Backup
Housing Assistance (HA)
Individuals and Housing Program (IHP)
Housing Assistance
 Repairs (including
accessibility repairs)
 Replacement
 Permanent or SemiPermanent Housing
Construction
Temporary Housing
Assistance (including
accessibility)
• Rental Assistance
• Lodging Expense
Reimbursement (LER)
• Direct Housing – MHS
• Temporary Sheltering
Assistance (hotels)
Small Business Administration (SBA)
 Provides low interest
loans for homeowners,
renters and businesses.
 Types of disaster loans:
– Home and personal
property
– Business physical
loss
– Economic injury
Other Needs Assistance (ONA)
Non-SBA
Dependent
SBA Dependent
 Medical
 Dental
 Funeral
 Other
 Personal
Property
 Transportation
 Moving and
Storage
Unmet Needs – Voluntary Agencies
 Voluntary Agency
Liaison (VAL)
 Long Term Recovery
Group (LTRCs)
Long Term Recovery Groups (LTRG)
• Long Term Recovery Groups are needed when personal
resources, insurance, government grants or loans are
insufficient to meet the needs of individuals and
communities.
• Long Term Recovery Groups come together to help
communities leverage their limited resources, to work
through the recovery process.
– These groups consist of Local, State and National non-profit and
faith based organizations.
• The goal is to help those affected rebuild their lives.
Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) is:
• Representative of the community and made up of local, trusted
community organizations
– Members contribute resources (money, material and manpower.)
• Committed to the redevelopment of the community and individuals
• Knowledgeable of the community and its unique circumstances and
sensitivities
• Trusted steward of resources and donations
• Dedicated to supporting individuals in long term recovery
– Allocation process continues until the project receives enough resources
to be completed
– LTRG provides long-term oversight
LTRG Tasks
• Assess the current unmet needs
• Identify local resources to meet the needs
outlined in the recovery plans for individuals
• Allocate resources to meet the needs of the
individuals
• Solicit funding and resources to address unmet
needs
Long term recovery
committee core
functions
(including accessibility)
•Develops plan for utilizing
experienced groups and
unaffiliated volunteers
•Coordinates with construction
coordinator to match volunteer
skills with project needs
•Responsible for LTR financial planning
•Seeks In-kind, cash donations and grants
•Coordinates with funders
Finance / PR
Fun Raising
$ + In-Kind
Volunteer
Coordination
•Accounts for all funds received, and submits
records for annual audit.
Case
Management
•Qualify clients for LTR
services
•Completes duplication of
benefits check
•Assists clients with recovery
Plans
•Assists volunteer groups with local
logistics ( lodging, meals, etc)
Board
•Refers clients to agencies to
match needs with services
•Presents unmet needs to
Unmet Needs Committee
Construction
Coordination
Community
Assessment
•Canvases community
•Registers clients with unmet needs
•Estimates home repair costs
•Plans projects and oversees
construction
•Works closely with case managers
and volunteer coordinators ‘
• Ensures code compliance
•Turns case files over to case
managers
Crisis
Counseling &
Spiritual Care
•Estimates total $ amount of repairs
•Prioritizes cases
•Assists individuals with
emotional needs
•Refers clients to LTRC
for material assistance
Advantages
• Creates a framework for groups to collaborate
– A one-stop shop
– Avoids duplication of benefits
• Collective and creative problem-solving
– Quick decision-making
– Supports effective and efficient use of resources
• Establishes local capacity for building individual and community
resiliency
– Commitments from agencies providing services and
resources
– Individual is now connected to local resources
How FEMA VAL Supports the LTRG
• The Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL):
– Liaison to State and National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations
Active in Disasters)
– Connects with the community
– Supports the formation of the LTRG
– Introduces best practices from previous disasters
– Assists with problem-solving and issues
– Serves as link between the LTRG and FEMA
Corey Nygaard
Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination, FEMA
Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination
The National Disaster Recovery Framework is a guide that
enables effective recovery support to disaster-impacted States,
Tribes, Territorial and local jurisdictions. It provides a flexible
structure that enables disaster recovery managers to operate in
a unified and collaborative manner. It also focuses on how best
to restore, redevelop and revitalize the health, social, economic,
natural and environmental fabric of the community and build a
more resilient Nation.
FDRC – Recovery Support Functions
Six Recovery Support Functions
• provide a structure to facilitate problem solving,
• improve access to resources
• foster coordination among State and Federal agencies,
nongovernmental partners and stakeholders.
Each Recovery Support Function has coordinating and primary Federal
agencies and supporting organizations. The RSFs operate together
with local, State and Tribal government officials, nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) and private sector partners.
The 6 Recovery Support Functions
Community Planning and Capacity Building
Recovery Support Function (FEMA)
Economic Recovery Support Function (U.S.
Department of Commerce)
Health and Social Services Recovery Support
Function (US Health and Human Services)
The 6 Recovery Support Functions
Housing Recovery Support Function (U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development)
Infrastructure Systems Recovery Support Function
(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
Natural and Cultural Resources Recovery Support
Function (U.S. Department of Interior)
Joann Scordino
Regional Disability Integration Specialist from
FEMA Regional 9
The Role of Disability Organizations
• Provide understanding of community and
community need
• Connect to local resources
• Voice with the community
• Advocate civil rights obligations including
equal access, universal design and reasonable
accommodation.
The Role of FEMA Disability Integration
Specialists and Advisors
• Office of Disability Integration and Coordination
www.fema.gov/office-disability-integrationcoordination
• FEMA’s liaison to assist communities
experiencing disaster in planning for and
working with people with access and functional
needs
• Their mission: “…provide guidance, tools,
methods and strategies to integrate and
coordinate emergency management inclusive of
individuals with access and functional needs.”
We Need You
You can:
•
Bring disability inclusion expertise to the table
•
Conduct case coordination and case management
•
Contribute and facilitate resources
•
Assist in achieving whole community planning and
universal accessibility throughout recovery
•
Identify resources and unmet needs in the community
•
To have a voice in recovery planning and investments
in community recovery you must be at the table
The Importance of Collaborations
It is IMPERATIVE that people with disabilities are at every table in the planning,
response, and recovery phases
•
Community or Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD/VOAD) and
LTRCs/LTRGs
•
Healthcare Coalitions—Emergency Response Teams
•
CERT Training (Community Emergency Response Teams)
•
Red Cross and Other Emergency Service Providers
•
Disability/Senior Resource Council
•
Faith Based Entities
•
Schools
•
FEMA/SEMA (NCIL MOA)
•
Community Task Forces
Stephanie Brady
Assistant Executive Director
The Independent Living Center, Inc.
sbrady@ilcenter.org
Joplin, Missouri Tornado
May 22, 2011
Why it is important to get involved
in emergency management
• 1.
Why did you think it was important to get involved in emergency
management
• I worked in NYC during 9/11 and had realized the importance of all
individuals and agencies working together to achieve positive
outcomes. While working in Missouri, I sat on the Emergency
Preparedness committee for the Statewide Independent Living Council.
That involvement help me maintain knowledge of the resources and
the community needs in emergency preparedness while also helping to
make preparedness a priority in our CIL and with our consumers.
The importance of CILs as
Disaster Resources
• Provide Resources and Referrals
• Assist First Responders with Identifying People in Need
• Have Trust Relationships with Consumers—bridge between
government, first responders, and consumers
• Have Access to Information, Technology and Equipment to Aid in
Planning, Response, and Recovery
• Often have interpreters on staff or on retainer to assist with
communication
Pre-Disaster Planning and
Relationships
•
COAD Participation (Community Organizations Active in Disaster)
•
Jasper/Newton County Healthcare Coalition—Emergency Response Team
(MOU)
•
CERT Training (Community Emergency Response Teams)
•
Red Cross Volunteer Training
•
Center and Community Emergency Plans
•
Consumer Comprehensive Emergency/Disaster Plans
•
Disability/Senior Resource Council
•
NCIL/FEMA MOA for CILs to work directly with FEMA
•
Healthcare Data at 911 Centers for PWD/people with disabilities and older
adults
Pre-Disaster Planning and
Relationships
• Back-up power for healthcare agencies needs to be more
substantial
• Need for analog telephone lines for all healthcare agencies
• Home-owner or renter insurance (including home inventories)
• More education about and options for alert systems that meet the
needs of people with disabilities or from non-English speaking
cultures
• Back-up water supply
• More accessible storm shelters
• Nursing facility disaster preparation
First Responder Training
• Communication with people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing
• Accommodating service animals
• People with mental health disabilities
• People with cognitive and intellectual disabilities
• Working with families
• Mobility disabilities
• Interactive Mobile Tips for First Responders working with
People with Access and Functional Needs
• http://disabilitytips.tamu.edu/
Alerting Systems
Deficiencies in Public Alert Systems for:
• People who are Deaf
• People who are Deaf/Blind
• People who are blind/have low vision
• People with Cognitive and Intellectual Disabilities
• People with Limited English Proficiency
Possible Solutions:
• Assistive Technology Options for Weather Radios
• Smart-Phone Applications
• FCC Regulations: http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/emergency_access.html
• NWS Resources: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/nwrrcvr.htm
• National Center for Accessible Media: http://ncam.wgbh.org/
Issues in Early Recovery
•
FEMA Coordination of Sign Language Interpreters
•
Options for FEMA Registration
•
Fear of the Process
•
Confusion
•
People who are deaf told to register using TTY
•
ESL Populations
•
Cognitive and Intellectual Disabilities
•
Need to continue to educate participants and agencies about the
needs/rights of people with disabilities
•
Access to medical records and medications
•
Transportation and housing needs for people with disabilities
What went well in LTR in Joplin
• Relationships with disaster organizations &community agencies
• Continued Volunteers
• Citizen’s Advisory Recovery Team—focus on accessibility for entire
community rebuild
• KU School of Architecture Partnership for UD House Plans
• Extended Community Transportation Options
• Long Term Recovery Committee and Disaster Case Management
Resources
• Missouri Housing Development Commission Housing and Universal
Design
What needed improvement
• Contractor Fraud/Issues and Insurance Issues
• Redeveloping Alert Systems
• Communication between all parties is difficult (FEMA, SEMA,
City, County, COAD, LTRC, CERT, Emergency Entities, etc.)
• Making sure people with disabilities are at the table at every
stage of the decision-making
• Changing legislation to make large companies and nursing
facilities have safe rooms (Home Depot sets the bar)
TILC’s Emergency Services Program—
Funded by the CDC Foundation
• Emergency Plan Development
• Red Cross Go Kits
• Vial of Life
• Community Education
• Elementary School Education
• Adaptive Alerting Devices
• Online Resources
Resources
• Ready.gov www.ready.gov
• Red Cross Prepare www.redcross.org//prepare
• Emergency 2.0 http://emergency20wiki.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
• National Service Inclusion Project
www.serviceandinclusion.org/index.php?page=emergency
• Do 1 Thing Family Preparation http://do1thing.com/
• CDC Emergency Planning http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/
• The Independent Living Center www.ilcenter.org/emergencyservices.html
• Interactive Mobile Tips for First Responders http://disabilitytips.tamu.edu/
• FEMA www.fema.gov
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