Did you experience personal damage, loss of income, loss of dwelling, loss of property, and/or impact to your physical, emotional, or mental health because of the recent disaster?
In most situations, following a presidentially declared disaster, like Hurricane Ike, the 2015 and 2016 floods, as well as Hurricane Harvey in 2017, individuals can connect to free disaster case management services by calling the 2-1-1 Texas United Way Helpline, which is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Through disaster case management, help is available from trusted and recognized community partners. Disaster case management is vital and is a key component of the recovery process. Because this service is so vital, non-profits, faith-based, and volunteer organizations work together to provide an entryway for individuals and families to receive disaster assistance. Disaster case management is the entry way to unlocking doors to vital community resources, such as home repairs, free legal assistance, financial assistance, and more.
We know that disasters can be very traumatic - both physically and emotionally. The recovery process can also be lengthy and overwhelming, and because recovery is a process, it often takes time to fully recover or adjust to a new sense of normalcy.
From prior disasters, we know that many individuals are not aware of the resources available to them or don’t think they qualify. This significantly hinders one’s ability to recover in a timely manner. This is why it is so important for impacted individuals to know how to access disaster case management and equip themselves with the information they need to be resilient. It is important for the community to know that resources are available to them and how to access them.
In disaster case management, individuals work one-on-one with a trained Disaster Case Manager to obtain the specific help that they need to recover. Disaster Case Management services are free and available to anyone impacted by disaster, regardless of income, status, or having homeowner’s or flood insurance coverage.
Having a plan is important when recovering. This allows individuals to spend limited resources wisely, avoid delays in recovering, and provides a clear pathway. As part of the case management process, the Disaster Case Managers will partner with the individual to develop and implement a Recovery Plan. The Recovery Plan serves as a roadmap or pathway. The Recovery Plan outlines the needs and goals of the individual and is designed to minimize the impact of loss. Once a Recovery Plan is developed, Disaster Case Managers work with individuals to match available resources with identified needs, such as financial assistance, legal services, behavioral health, home repairs, etc. By creating a plan, individuals and families tend to be more resilient - recover faster and more efficiently.
The role of the Disaster Case Manager is to help individuals develop a pathway to recovery and to provide a holistic approach to rebuilding their lives. Through disaster case management, Disaster Case Managers are available to help individuals identify resources that match their disaster-caused or related unmet needs. Unmet needs can be financial, physical, tangible, or emotional in nature or related to one’s spiritual well-being. Disaster Case Managers can help impacted individuals and families outline the steps necessary to begin their road to recovery – help to put the pieces of the puzzle together. To get the process started, just remember one vital phone number, 2-1-1.
Disaster Case Managers can help make the necessary connections. Disaster Case Managers are trained to help individuals effectively overcome systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing services, navigating the sometimes-confusing pathways to resources and eligible funding. After a traumatic event, it is normal for individuals to experience difficulties coping which can hinder their ability to think logically about what steps to take to restore their lives. By understanding the sequence of delivery, individuals can maximize the amount of resources accessible to them. Recent studies have shown that, individuals who take advantage of all available resources in which they are eligible, receive more aid and recover faster. Disaster Case Managers can help those impacted to gain a better understanding of the Sequence of Delivery so that they can take advantage of available resources. Just like every disaster is different, every person has their own experience or story. Some individuals experience great loss after a disaster and require a lot of help – others may just need basic information. For individuals who have resources but need vital information for decision-making, Disaster Case Managers have access to various disaster-related information that can be shared.
We want you to see disaster case management as a resource – a viable service. Remember, Disaster Case Managers can serve as a support system for you. You benefit by having a Disaster Case Manager to partner with you to help you process the event – help you know what to expect – and help you to access community resources.
If you need support or help to move forward in your recovery, you are urged to contact the 2-1-1 Texas United Way Helpline to get connected to a trusted disaster case management agency. If you’re unsure about needing help, call and speak with a trained Disaster Case Manager. Disaster Case Managers will be able to explain the program and provide the guidance needed so that you can make an informed decision.