Long-Term Human Recovery Plan

Just as an emergency response plan is essential to effectively respond to disasters that may strike, having a long-term human recovery preparedness plan is essential for the well-being of the residents of the state of Louisiana. Amazingly the state has no such plan. Neither does the federal government.

Much in the way of preparedness has been focused on first response. While first response is a critical element to disaster response, long-term recovery is just as important – especially long-term human recovery. There must be a long-term human recovery preparedness plan put in place within the various levels of government – national, state, and local -- in order to avoid the looming humanitarian crisis that has the potential to surface following each disaster.

The Louisiana Family Recovery Corps is working with partners at both a state level and a national level to develop long-term human recovery plans for the state and the country. The failure to develop such a plan in the past is painfully obvious, as there remain tens of thousands of Louisiana residents still recovering from hurricanes Katrina and Rita more than three years after those hurricanes made landfall. As more disasters strike, such as Gustav and Ike, the open wounds of our state are only exacerbated.

In Louisiana, the Recovery Corps is already situated as a key agency within the state's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), as the Recovery Corps is listed as a support agency in ESF 6 and ESF 14. Further, the Recovery Corps is working with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to develop the state's long-term human recovery plan post-evacuation and sheltering in the wake of disasters that would further strengthen the state's EOP and ensure that the proper strategic plans are in place to assist Louisiana families following a catastrophic event.

Nationally, the Recovery Corps is working on two fronts. In association with its partners at the National Commission on Children and Disasters, the Recovery Corps has submitted a number of recommendations related to long-term human recovery. The Commission will compile recommendations from the Recovery Corps and other agencies and experts and provide its report to President Barack Obama and Congress. It is hoped that these recommendations will be utilized as some of the main tenets of an eventual long-term human recovery plan for the United States.

Additionally, the Recovery Corps is advocating through the Louisiana Congressional delegation and other federal officials for key changes within the Stafford Act that would assist long-term human recovery locally. It should be noted that the Stafford Act was not designed to deal with massive disasters and it has ultimately retarded recovery in Louisiana and other states. The cost reimbursement protocols, excessive delays associated with reimbursement, and lack of upfront resources associated with the legislation as it is written today are prohibitive, making it impossible for local organizations and agencies such as the Recovery Corps to deliver large-scale recovery services at a time when they can be most impactful.

Additionally, the Stafford Act aims at only rehabilitating disaster survivors back to pre-disaster conditions. This only serves to add another layer of people who will seek additional social and human services in order to survive rather than allowing those working with disaster-impacted people who may have been struggling to maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle to continue their efforts to ultimately place these citizens in a position to succeed instead of a position to once again fail.

Further, the Stafford Act is shrouded with bureaucratic red tape. There are inconsistencies related to chain of command, leading to confusion and chaos. And the inefficiencies associated with the execution of programs and delivery of services often result in those who most need assistance becoming disillusioned with the process, leading them to withdraw from the system completely.

Amending the Stafford Act seems like a logical and relatively easy way to help jump-start the recovery process for thousands of Louisiana residents impacted by disaster. However, there appears to be little motivation in Congress to make changes to the legislation. Instead, some favor the status quo. The Recovery Corps, however, will continue to advocate for amending the Stafford Act and will continue to try to educate those who have not yet seen the merits in making such legislative amendments.

Key Recovery Corps positions related to a long-term human recovery plan:

• Any long-term human recovery preparedness plan must incorporate efficiency, accountability, alignment, and transparency within effective policy in order to enhance long-term human recovery
• Much cooperation among the state, the non-profit sector, and private organizations must occur in order to effectively implement a comprehensive long-term human recovery preparedness plan
• Funding sources (state and federal) must be identified in order to fully prepare and train for long-term human recovery following the inevitable next disaster
• State agency personnel must be identified and charged with specific responsibilities to work on behalf of their respective agencies within the context and framework of a state and federal preparedness plan
• Specific triggers must be inserted into the preparedness structure that launch the various elements of the plan at the proper time
• Amend cost-reimbursement protocols in order to make it easier for non-profits and governments to provide immediate relief and offer direct services and resources to disaster-impacted citizens
• Streamline reimbursement procedures so that organizations and governments may receive reimbursements sooner in order to further assist disaster-impacted families and individuals
• Amend provisions that disallow upfront resources for direct assistance to disaster-impacted citizens
• When practical and if resources are available, allow rebuilding to current-day norms instead of pre-disaster conditions
• Resolve inconsistencies related to chain of command and delivery of services
• Establish Stafford Act authority for a permanent rental repair program
• Amend the Stafford Act to expressly authorize rental repair in catastrophies