Disaster Relief and Recovery: Help When You Need It
Last Updated: 03 Jun 2019
Disaster Relief & Emergency Services
Whether you need short-term relief or require more long-term recovery, a Disaster Relief and Recovery program creates focused plans, provides safe environments, and supplies plenty of resources to those impacted by disasters.
When disaster hits, it hits everyone differently. (Click here to read this article in Spanish)
Some require immediate physical rescue, while others are trying to figure out how to deal with psychological trauma.
Some find themselves in need of shelter; others, socks.
Some are seeking a military family clinic; others, professional counseling.
No matter the scope of the disaster or the size of the impact on any individual or family, Disaster Relief and Recovery is the service that recognizes: there is no “one size fits all” recovery plan in emergency situations.
What is Disaster Relief and Recovery?
Simply put, Disaster Relief and Recovery (DRR) is a service that connects individuals to resources they need to help them recover after an emergency or disaster situation. Is your family in need of medical care? We’ll find a clinic. Was your house damaged in a flood or by a hurricane? We’ll search for a nonprofit organization willing to donate time and supplies to repair it.
Because every disaster is different, Disaster Relief and Recovery places a high emphasis on the unique needs of each individual case.
What is the Process?
1. First, Endeavors® will connect with the person or population in need, implementing case management services and assigning a caseworker so that there is one, single, streamlined point of contact. We keep it simple.
2. An Endeavors® DCM caseworker will assess the situation. What needs does the person/family have that aren’t being met? How did the disaster affect this person/family? How can we help them recover in the most efficient and sustainable way?
4. Next, we make a plan. We ask ourselves: what will be the best use of community groups and resources? What is the best set of steps we could take to help this individual or family stand back up on their feet and confidently move forward? What are the individual, small goals?
5. Finally, the caseworker will work with our partners to implement a recovery plan. The caseworker will carefully monitor progress, ensure the client feels good about the process, and make any necessary changes.
But Why is DCM Necessary?
To some, Disaster Relief and Recovery might seem redundant. If all we’re doing is connecting people to resources already in the community, why not cut out the middle man? Isn’t this a lot of extra work?
Surprisingly, no. While many clients we meet are qualified for specific programs, they simply have no idea which ones- or even where to begin. DCM seeks to connect emergency or disaster victims to services and funding they may not be aware of.
Additionally, many of the community support systems that are usually in place are often thrown out of balance during a federal emergency or after a disaster. We’re here to help steady the community network once again, making sure individuals can take full advantage of community resources, making recovery more accessible for everyone.
What Does a Disaster Case Manager Do?
A Disaster Relief and Recovery program is only as good as its Disaster Case Managers. These individuals use keen insight and relationships to discover the true needs of the client, then connect those clients with the best benefits and services in the area. They are advocates for the people who have been affected by disasters, always seeking to help clients meet their goals.
Who Does the Actual Work?
We fully recognize that Disaster Relief and Recovery is most effective when done in conjunction with local community partners. Some of our partners include the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, United Way, U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, Texas Department of Family & Protective Services, City of San Antonio, SourceAmerica, TIBH, South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Urban Alliance, and Haven for Hope.
How Does Endeavors® provide Disaster Relief and Recovery?
So what does Endeavors®’ specific brand of Disaster Relief and Recovery and emergency preparedness look like?
Essentially, our disaster services span the gamut. Whether you need short-term relief or require more long-term recovery, we create focused plans, create safe environments, and provide plenty of resources referrals for those impacted by disasters.
From safety shelters and evacuation efforts to home repair and new furniture and clothing, Endeavors® seeks to help in any way we can.
If you or a loved one are in need of disaster assistance or disaster relief and recovery, we would love to connect with you. We are passionate about serving vulnerable people in crisis, improving their quality of life in innovative, personal ways. Click here for contact information and to connect with someone from our team and learn more about the many ways Endeavors® can help!
In addition to providing Disaster Relief and Recovery and Emergency Services, we also help connect military families to clinics, provide emergency staffing services, create long-term recovery plans, and far more.