Minutes – February 5, 2006 – 2:00 pm

Long-Term Recovery Committee of Southwestern Indiana Meeting

 

15 groups with 24 persons attending.

Randy Anderson, UMCOR, Chairman

Shane O'Neill, Presbyterian Disaster Relief, Vice-Chairman

Jim Collins, Treasurer

Teresa M. Julian, ARC, Secretary

	Groups Attending:  Adventist Community Services American Red Cross CAPE Catholic Charities EMA Vanderburgh County HCRN Habitat Warrick Hoosier Neighbor Disaster Response Oak Hill Baptist Church Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Salvation Army St. Vincent DePaul Society SW Indiana Mental Health Center Thrivent Financial Lutheran United Methodist Committee on Relief

 

Attending:

Randy Anderson                 United Methodist Committee on Relief

Shane O'Neill                     Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Jim Collins                          Catholic Charities

Teresa Julian                       American Red Cross volunteer

Carolyn Harmon                 St. Vincent DePaul Society

Donna Carr                        Catholic Charities

Capt. Georgia Rodgers       The Salvation Army

Joyce Cosby                      American Red Cross

Jim Morgan                        Thrivent Financial for Lutheran

Rick Paul                            Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center

Debbie Burns                     Adventist Community Services

Phillip Field                         CAPE

Bridgett Naas                     Disaster Office Manager

Don Barrett                        American Red Cross

Carolyn Barrett                   American Red Cross

Wayne Bochert                  Catholic Charities

Brenda Spells                     Oak Hill Baptist Church

Joe Hess                            St. Vincent dePaul Society

Maurice Keller                   St. Vincent dePaul Society

Bob Hayden                       St. Vincent dePaul Society

Jeannene Busko                  Adventist Community Services

Reva Dossett                      Hoosier Neighbor Disaster Response

Trena VanBibber                Habitat Warrick

Roger Bacon                      EMA Chaplain

 

**********

 

The meeting was called to order by Randy Anderson, Chair. 

 

Roger Bacon, EMA Chaplain, was introduced.  He presented an option for training certified volunteers in counseling to become first responders.  He offered a handout to those interested.  The committee chose not to participate as a group by consensus as our focus is more long-term needs than first response. 

 

Finance Sub-Committee – Jim Collins, Treasurer reporting

The Finance sub-committee approved the first LTRCSI request for total destruction assistance today.  The sub-committee's decision was approved by consensus of the full Committee. 

 

After learning from Habitat Evansville they could be providing up to 6 rebuilds for former residents of the trailer park, the assistance required by LTRCSI may be less than originally expected.  We anticipate 4 full rebuilds at this point.

 

Casework Sub-Committee – Shane O'Neill reporting

The need for mental health support continues to increase.  The Support Group meetings on Monday nights are helping.

 

Some clients have not responded to case manager attempts to call.  Discussion centered on when to close a case and how many attempts to contact should be made.  Case Managers should attempt 5 phone calls at different times, and leave no more than 3 messages over a 3-4 week period, then send a letter.  The letter will create a paper trail for the client's file.  A letter will be written and presented for approval of the officers to send to clients informing them to contact their case manager or the disaster office within 7-10 days or their case would be closed.  Upon approval, the letter will be made available on the committee website:  www.recoverycommittee.bravehost.com. 

 

American Red Cross reported some long-term assistance has been approved for rental assistance during rebuilding, home furnishings (i.e., appliances, bedroom set, living room set, etc.), uninsured medical expenses, insurance deductibles for home/auto/medical, and any continuing or additional expenses for funerals or funeral expenses.  Case Managers should inform their clients of these additional benefits being offered by the Red Cross.

 

A web site has been set up for survivors:  www.tornadorelief.us.  It contains easy-to-follow instructions for sign-in, information for survivors, and a message board to connect relatives.  The web site will be monitored for content and language by UE students.

 

Case Managers visiting clients can approach neighbors to inquire about unmet needs.

 

Distribution Center – Carolyn Harmon reporting

Things are going great.  Still due to be open through March (not all year as has been misreported in the press recently).  Many families have been assisted to date, and the largest needs have been with bedding, tables/chairs, dressers, and appliances.

 

During the discussion, a report was requested from St. Vincent dePaul Society, and the following was to be made known:

 

A report is needed from ALL agencies within LTRCSI including the number of families that have been helped, money spent or value of donations to date, and other pertinent information.  This information is required for assisting with grant writing for LTRCSI.  These reports should be delivered to Randy Anderson, Chair, as soon as possible.

 

Volunteers Sub-Committee – Randy Anderson reporting

Many, many calls per day have been received with offers of volunteer work crews, some from several states away.  We have been requesting that each group be self-sustaining (food/water, shelter, etc.).  However, requests to utilize these volunteers have not been received from Case Managers.  Please check with your clients and contact your Case Supervisor first, then call the Disaster Office to report where these crews can be scheduled so we can begin utilizing their talents as soon as possible.  Work crews of all types are available – field and property clean-up, debris removal, red-tag (condemned) removal, landscaping, rebuilding, etc.  Any type of labor needed can be requested using the disaster assessment forms available at the Disaster Office.

 

Case Managers should solicit their clients for needs requiring labor so we can put these teams to work.

 

Support Group – Rick Paul reporting

Eight attended the Support Group meeting on Jan. 30, four of whom were new to the group.  Each sub-group is forming its own identity and all are welcome to attend.  A memorial for this disaster event has been discussed, as well as weather radio requirements.  Survivors are feeling mentally alone as the shock has worn off and reality has set in.

 

Marketing/Public Awareness Sub-Committee – none

The need for a Public Service Announcement is needed to clarify the difference between the Distribution Center and the Disaster Office.

 

Announcements

Meetings are every Monday.

            12:30   Case Supervisors

              1:00   Sub-Committees

              2:00   Recovery Committee

There may be visitors from Madisonville at our next meeting, Feb. 12.

 

Oak Hill Baptist Church announced to the Casework Sub-Committee that their food pantry will be open from 10-12 on the 3^rd Saturday of each month for food distribution for survivors.  Some people arrive as early as 8:30 am to sign up.  The church is located at 4615 Oak Hill Road, and Brenda Spells, minister, indicated her home phone number could be given out for more information: 437-4500.

 

Food and cleaning supplies will be distributed in Madisonville on Saturday, 2/11, from 10-2.

Food and cleaning supplies will be distributed to the Amish community on Saturday, 2/18, from 10-2 in Daviess County.

More information on these distribution dates is available from Sarah Oxley of The Grain Train.  She can be contacted through St. Luke's Lutheran Church on Epworth Road.

 

Randy thanked everyone in the Committee for all we are doing, and reminded us to take care of ourselves as well.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Teresa Julian

Secretary, LTRCSI