emergency management, long-term recovery organizations, yld hotline, and other resources leslie n....
TRANSCRIPT
Emergency Management, Long-Term Recovery Organizations, YLD Hotline,
and other resources
Leslie N. PowellJune 2009
National ResourcesABA/LSC/NLADA/probono.net co-sponsored
disaster website:www.disasterlegalaid.org
National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters:www.nvoad.org
Federal Emergency Management Agencywww.fema.gov
State ResourcesFlorida Emergency Management
www.floridadisaster.org
Florida Legal Services Disaster Grouphttp://www.fladvocate.org/disaster/
Florida Legal Services Disaster Manualhttp://www.flabarfndn.org/resources/disaster-manual/
Local ResourcesCounty/Regional Emergency Managementhttp://www.floridadisaster.org/County_EM/ASP/county.aspAmerican Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.aspLong Term Recovery Organization
http://www.findflorida.org/files/LTRODirectory0408.pdf
Local Bar Association
Defining a disaster1) Governor declares disaster – defines areas
and needs. Advises FEMA/President of need for federal assistance.
2) President determines whether federal assistance will be granted and what kind.
3) Disaster Recovery Centers are activated (DRCs).
Why is this important?
Shelters open firstDRCs may not happen until a week or more
after the actual disaster. Shelters tend to be harder to access for confidentiality/privacy reasons.
Most LTROs and/or ARC chapters provide volunteer training and drills. Participate in these opportunities to improve access to these entry points to inform the community of their legal rights.
Legal Problems don’t come firstResponse – Recovery – Mitigation
Remind the community, including long-time community partners and media, that legal services will be available when it is needed.- Brochures- Community Education- Readying staff for intake
Disaster Readiness as a Year-Round Part of Your Community OutreachWho has mitigation funds in your area?
Contractor education opportunities
Who provides assistance to persons with disabilities? Special Needs Registration
Legal Preparedness as part of financial stability
Insurance education – forced-place insurance
Title problems
Education – McKinney-Vento protections if a child becomes “homeless”
Special Needs RegistrationThe Special Needs Registry: Individuals who may need
assistance during a disaster because of physical, mental, or cognitive impairments; or because of sensory disabilities.
- Pre-qualifies the individual for Special Needs shelters
- Allows the individual to pre-authorize emergency responders to enter their homes during search and rescue operations.
Register through various community-based providers or the emergency management office.
www.floridadisaster.org/disability
LTROs – What do they do?http://www.findflorida.org/files/ltro.pdf
Create leadership and organization around recovery efforts
Allow for receipt of various pots of mitigation and rebuilding funds, and sometimes even for supportive services
May allow for transition of temporary housing
Create combined effort for not just recovery, but preparedness resources as well
LTRO Role in Affordable HousingPre-disaster: Can assist in identifying the
stock of affordable, low-income housing
Post-disaster: Can assist in determining what is left and defining what is needed to restore affordable housing to pre-disaster levels or better.
CDBG funds – can help ensure these are used to restore affordable housing
Pro Bono InitiativesYLD Hotline: Referrals will likely be made
from these volunteers to legal services programs.
Local YLD: Opportunities to provide education to local attorneys who will likely take referrals from the hotline
Who else? Identify other attorneys who specialize in areas needed after a disaster (construction, insurance, etc.)