Disaster Case Management Presented by Pam Garrison Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church Gabe Tischler Catholic Charities of Florida, Inc.

Goal Common understanding and language for Disaster Case Management (DCM) Importance of DCM for whole community recovery Critical role of emergency management in facilitating and supporting DCM 2015 FEPA Annual Meeting 2

Agenda Overview of Disaster Case Management When and How DCM comes together – the crucial link to long term recovery Who should be involved Challenges and Opportunities Partnering with Emergency Management 2015 FEPA Annual Meeting 3

Background VOADS/COADs – Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster – Community Organizations Active in Disaster Local, state, national 4 “C’s” – Cooperation – Communication – Coordination – Collaboration 4

Purpose: “…serves as the forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle — preparation, response, recovery and mitigation — to help disaster survivors and their communities.” Committees 5

BACKGROUND Disaster Case Management Guidelines – Encourage best practices and mutual accountability – Engage in a coordinated, inclusive approach – Foster trust, mutual respect and equal partnerships – Provide a common language and shared understanding – Promote quality case management services to clients Points of Consensus Disaster Casework Disaster Case Management Shared Language Points of Consensus / Guidance FEPA Annual Meeting

Voluntary Organizations play a unique role in the recovery of individuals and families – Complement services provided by governmental agencies – Deliver DCM services in fulfillment of their missions with respect for and knowledge of the local community

First Step: Disaster Case Work Collect basic information Meet immediate, emergency needs Interim plan Screen Transition to Case management? 8

Process of DCM Outreach and screening Intake for case management services Assessment Recovery planning Advocacy Monitoring progress Closure 9

Primary Distinctions Short-term relationship Doesn’t require continuity of care from the same caseworker Often initiated in the relief phase Typically focuses on immediate, urgent and/or transitional needs 10

What is DCM? Traditionally Disaster Case Management has been defined as a service provided to assist a disaster-affected individual or family to develop and execute their personal plan for long term recovery 11

What is DCM? “Disaster Case Management is a partnership between the case manager and the client in the development of a Disaster Recovery Plan. The process involves assessing needs based on verified disaster damage, developing a goal-oriented plan that outlines all necessary steps to achieve recovery, organizing and coordinating the information on the available resources that match the disaster caused needs, monitoring the progress towards reaching the stated goals and, when necessary, acting as an advocate for the client.” Florida Catastrophic Planning Project July

DCM is… Time-limited process – up to 1 year or longer Skilled helper Partners with survivor Plan for and achieve realistic goals for recovery 13

Why DCM? Psychology of disaster survivors – Confused – Traumatized – shock – Disillusioned – Depressed – Angry – Unrealistic expectations 14

Why DCM? Challenges faced by disaster survivors – Survivors face a puzzling array of assistance programs, acronyms, forms to complete – At the mercy of helpers – who may or may not have their best interests in mind – Privacy and independence compromised – Long complicated forms to complete 15

Hope Provide guidance, stability Opportunity to take control of their recovery Clarify information Explain options Assist with realistic expectations Help survivor navigate the disaster world 16

Goal Move the survivor from where they are as a result of the disaster to where they want to be

Disaster Case Manager What are the needs of the survivor as a result of the disaster? Review and assess resources – What do they have – What do they need Serve as a primary point of contact Rely on the client to play an active role in their recovery 18

Successful DCM 19 Needs a coordinating structure or organization Long term recovery group or committee – community stakeholders Unmet needs table Leadership commitment to whole community recovery

When does it begin? 20

DCM Begins… When people are displaced and disaster- caused needs are evident Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or Essential Services Center (ESC): opportunity to initiate Information and Referral (I&R) and case work 21

Federally-Declared Sequence of Delivery

Undeclared Disaster Sequence of Delivery

Emergency Assistance Private Insurance FEMA Assistance Other Federal/State Assistance Unmet Needs: Faith-Based Organizations Sequence of Service Delivery

Transition to Long-Term Recovery Long-Term Recovery (LTR) forms in response to those unmet needs LTR provides – Money – Muscle – Materials – Minds Needs Driven – NOT Resource Driven 25

Timeline for LTR Needs driven – some unmet needs – Significant unmet needs Community driven – Relationships/politics of the community – Organization of volunteer groups – Community Resources Should never be resource driven! 26

Timeline Begin case management as early as 3-6 months in a well-organized community 6-12 months to begin case management is not unusual 27

Challenges Accurately identifying unmet needs – Assessments – FEMA registrations – if applicable – Sharing of information Convening community stakeholders Identifying resources – including funding 28

Challenges Recruiting & training Case Managers Allowing the process to unfold without losing the sense of urgency 29

Emergency Management Mission of Florida DEM Working together to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate against their impacts. Director’s Standing Orders 1. Take care of the needs of survivors. 2. Take care of the needs of responders. 3. When in doubt, re-read number one 30

Emergency Management Focus Day-to-day emergencies Immediate, urgent needs Disasters bring new responsibilities 31

Emergency Management has a vital role to play in initiating, facilitating and encouraging long term recovery in their community. 32

Opportunities Engage with local VOAD/COAD – Participate to train, learn, support – Guide from experience – Build relationships – Represent government 33

Opportunities Facilitate information sharing – Refer survivors to resources – Assist survivors in accessing resources Facilitate information sharing with VOAD organizations – Clarify and verify assessment data – Identify unmet needs – Assist in determining need for long term recovery 34

Opportunities Assist in establishing long term recovery – Encourage community participation – Help identify community stakeholders – Help identify and solicit resources – including funding and leadership – Support efforts to raise awareness in the community – Advocate to state EM and FEMA 35

Opportunities Assist in removing barriers to recovery – Connecting the LTR to the appropriate agency – Brokering relationships when appropriate – Understanding building codes – Guidance in supporting the local mitigation strategy 36

“Take Aways” Disaster Case Management is vital to long term recovery Emergency Management is an essential partner in long term recovery Our resolve – Support EM – Partner with EM to complete recovery 37

29th Annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference ® May 10 – 15, 2015 Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando, Florida TS 27 It’s a Case for Case Management Tuesday, May 12, 8:30 – 5:00 38

Contact Information Pam Garrison Disaster Recovery Ministry Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church (800) Ext Gabe Tischler Emergency Management Specialist Catholic Charities of Florida, Inc. (850)