TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2009

Recovery Corps added to Louisiana 2-1-1 Coordinating Council

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Louisiana Family Recovery Corps was recently granted a seat on the Coordinating Council of Louisiana 2-1-1, the statewide information and referral system that connects callers to information available in their communities pertaining to basic human needs resources, physical and mental health resources, support for the elderly and persons with disabilities, and support for children and families.

As a member of the Coordinating Council, the Recovery Corps is able to further its mission of coordinating the resources and service provision of the state’s non-profit sector in the wake of disasters, a role legislatively granted to the Recovery Corps via Louisiana Act 313.

The Coordinating Council serves as Louisiana 2-1-1’s advisory board and is made up of 12 members representing select non-profit organizations, various state agencies, and the Public Service Commission.

“We are very proud to have been granted a seat on the Louisiana 2-1-1 Coordinating Council and are excited about the continued enhancement of the statewide 2-1-1 system so integral in connecting families to resources they need in preparing for and recovering from disasters,” said Dorothy Thomas, General Counsel of the Recovery Corps and Chair of the 2-1-1 Louisiana Coordinating Council. “Having a seat on the Council gives us a greater opportunity to integrate the Louisiana 2-1-1 system within the long-term human recovery plan that we are working with state officials to implement.”

The Recovery Corps is assisting the state and federal governments in preparing for the aftermath of catastrophic events by drafting long-term human recovery plans that create alignment among the governmental, non-profit, and private sectors. Specifically, the Recovery Corps is working closely with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to include a long-term human recovery element within the state’s Emergency Operations Plan.

“Louisiana 2-1-1 plays an integral role in providing much needed information and referrals to Louisiana citizens,” said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, President and CEO of the Recovery Corps. “As it continues to develop and grow, the 2-1-1 system will play an increasingly important role in our state during times of disaster and will provide our organization with a greater ability to coordinate the resources and services of the non-profit sector in the wake of any catastrophic event that may affect our state.”

Louisiana 2-1-1 provides information and referral services to all 64 Louisiana parishes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through collaboration between six 2-1-1 regional providers located across the state. Currently the 2-1-1 statewide network handles more than 700,000 calls per year from residents seeking information associated with healthcare, crisis intervention, financial assistance, family counseling, mental health, employment services, legal services, volunteer opportunities, and basic needs, just to name a few. During disasters, that number spikes to double or triple the normal call volume.

Louisiana 2-1-1 is a partnership between the state of Louisiana and the Louisiana Association of United Ways. Under a contract with the state of Louisiana, Department of Social Services, LAUW coordinates work of the six regional providers and also leverages United Way of America to provide key funding support for the Louisiana 2-1-1 system.

“The decision by the Coordinating Council to create an additional seat for the Recovery Corps was unanimous,” said Charmaine Caccioppi, President of the Louisiana Association of United Ways. “The Recovery Corps is recognized as the agency within the state that leads the coordination of nonprofit resources and service provision during disasters and their expertise in this area will add another strong member to our existing organization.”

ABOUT THE RECOVERY CORPS
The Louisiana Family Recovery Corps is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation based in Baton Rouge, La., and formed in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The Recovery Corps’ mission is to facilitate human recovery for the State of Louisiana in the aftermath of disaster, both natural and man-made. The Recovery Corps has partnered with human service and non-profit organizations throughout the state and the country to deliver assistance as effectively and efficiently as possible, allocating more than $80 million to recovery efforts and assisting more than 30,000 households since January 2006.