Minutes – November 21, 2005 – 1:00 pm

Long-Term Recovery Committee of Southwestern Indiana Meeting

 

Randy Anderson, UMCOR, Chairman

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

Teresa M. Julian, ARC, Secretary

Groups Attending: Adventist Community Services American Red Cross FEMA Habitat of Evansville HCRN (Hope Crisis Response Network) Lighthouse Mission of Faith Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Salvation Army St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Newburgh Food Pantry and Newburgh Thrift Shop St. Luke Lutheran Newburgh St. Vincent DePaul Society SW Indiana Mental Health Center Thrivent Financial Lutheran Tri-State Food Bank United Methodist Committee on Relief United Way

 

Attending: (in order, clockwise around each table)

Randy Anderson                 United Methodist Committee on Relief

Shane O'Neill                     Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Amy Kroeger                     The Salvation Army

Rob Allen                           Hemenway Presbyterian

Debbie Burns                     Adventist Community Services

Donna Carr                        Catholic Charities

Daniel (Dan) Lovell             Bethany Christian Church

Rick Paul                            Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center

Betty Shumate                    FEMA / Voluntary Agency Liaison

Pastor Tom Vanselow        St. Luke Lutheran Church

Kevin Cox                          Hope Crisis Response Network (HCRN) and

                                                St. Luke Lutheran Church, Newburgh and

                                                Indiana VO-AD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters)

Bridgette Naas                   Hope Crisis Response Network (HCRN)

Melanie Doty                      Lighthouse Mission of Faith

David Schmitt                     American Red Cross government liaison

Tim Nalin                           St. Vincent dePaul Society

Carolyn Harmon                 St. Vincent DePaul Society

Trish DeVoy                       American Red Cross

Sally Gries                          Habitat of Evansville

Stephanie Norrick              United Way

Barbara Tonkin                  Tri-State Food Bank

Father Joseph L. Ziliak       St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and

                                                Newburgh Food Pantry and

                                                Newburgh Thrift Shop

Jim Morgan                        Thrivent Financial for Lutheran

Teresa Julian                       American Red Cross volunteer

 

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The Chairman opened the meeting by having each person introduce themselves and their organization.

 

Kevin (HCRN) and Betty (FEMA) then reported on Montgomery, Indiana.  The Amish were setting an excellent example and things were going well with 18 homes now under roof.  One family moved in Saturday.  Twelve barns had been constructed – 1200 MDS (Mennonites) volunteers a day arriving in charter bus after charter bus.  They were doing everything themselves.  There are still some concerns, however, about livestock, finances, and outlying areas.

 

Betty (FEMA) said the PDA (Preliminary District Assessment) had been turned in to the governor to request a declaration for Daviess County.  It will be difficult to declare due to low numbers.  It may be added to this DR (Disaster Relief) effort due to the high damage, but the incident was opened and closed in 1 day so it is not promising – there may be a 2^nd declaration.

 

LTRCSI (this group) will be impacted, but Betty said if a declaration is made, they may be doing inspections on new homes because MDS so organized.  SBA loans for repair monies will be needed, but long-term recovery may not be necessary.  There are 4 English families affected, but all were insured.  The county helped more because the number increased P.A. (???)

 

Kevin said there are 2 schools of thought within the Amish community.  The Old Order wants to take care of things themselves.  The New Order wants the disaster declaration.  If we can get just one bishop to take an SBA loan, it may break the ice for others.  Plus, the proximity can help the 4 non-MDS families. 

 

Livestock: 50 head of cattle plus horses, turkeys, goats, chickens, etc.  Assistance has been okayed for buggy horses lost (as transportation) but farm horses not covered.  He suggested the Heifer Project and the USDA may be called upon to replace cattle and farm horses.  Betty responded that their resources may be depleted.

 

There is no indication of how long it may be before a possible declaration.

 

Item 2 – Process

Discussion began around how to share information or records since software is not available yet to avoid duplication of services.  Trish (Red Cross) said duplication is not a problem as our focus should be unmet needs.  People with minor damage cannot afford the increasing out of pocket expenses until the next phase of additional assistance becomes available.  Amy (Salvation Army) agreed that immediate needs – feeding today and tomorrow – were okay, but was unsure how long it will take to get to the point of even identifying what the unmet needs are.

 

It was agreed the committee should begin building the process now, even though it may not be needed.  Field people have only found one homeowner needing services, but it was agreed there are lot of unmet needs out there.

 

Case management was discussed.  Red Cross and Salvation Army shared records during the big California fire, and Betty (FEMA) said owners submitting a confidentiality agreement to FEMA will okay the sharing of FEMA records.  Many insured, but maybe not for full losses.  Shane (Vice-Chairman) said need to get the word OUT and suggested LTRCSI have its own caseworkers.  Many were unsure how to handle the full process and still maintain the integrity of the group and whether/how to continue services when the $1.2 million raised is gone.

 

Habitat taking applications, and all who have applied are qualified (30-50% median area income based on family size).  High-income families may not be eligible for Habitat help, but group members may become advocates for them by challenging their insurers for full coverage.

 

Jim Morgan (Thrivent) suggested we need a clearinghouse, and Pastor Dan Lovell suggested we need caseworkers.  Stephanie (United Way) said 2-1-1 can be a clearinghouse and register the unmet needs, but not provide caseworkers.  It cannot provide a list of those that need help, but if a church called in and wanted to help "these 10 families" it can be a clearinghouse for that.  It would be based on SSNs.

 

Habitat said it has 25 lots but moving away from current schools/work and transportation issues plus trauma endured could create problems.  Donations of land must be zoned for residential, money accepted.  Options can be rejected, thus bouncing them out of long-term recovery.

 

There is no set date on when short-term recovery ends and long-term begins, though a suggestion of 90 days seemed average.

 

The PROCESS was suggested as having caseworkers determine relief vs. recovery, immediate need vs. need, pre-existing or due-to-disaster need, etc.  The handout showing what agencies were providing what services was again made available.  VOAD has a downloadable long-term recovery manual, which some had already printed out, and it was agreed by consensus that teachers be brought in to teach case management.

 

Red Cross updated their numbers:  651 cases open / Phase I closed / telethon funds to split between American Red Cross and Salvation Army / $145,000 collected of $1.25 million pledged / $311,000 has been spent / still $300,000 million in debt due to Katrina

 

Some victims go to both agencies, and they should.  Donor requests are always honored when money is directed for tornado relief.

 

Melanie Doty (Lighthouse Mission of Faith) asked about the "store."  The old Target building has been secured.

 

Bridgette (HCRN) said still had 465 acres of fields covered in debris.

 

David Schmitt and Shane O'Neill were appointed to assess sub-committee nominations for case work.

 

Nationally faith-based organizations can also help.  Church World Service offers seed money for long-term recovery operations.

 

Rick Paul reported on mental health issues.  Long-term effects, the unknown, unforeseen consequences could become an issue.  No door-to-door, there was a support group meeting at Crossroads Christian Church for Katrina victims, perhaps include/begin tornado victims.  I-CART should be/is a companion program – good for the elderly – provides door-to-door help.  Holding "Survivors Meetings" to "just talk" suggested.  Red Cross covers mental health up to $500, and FEMA said a grant could also help cover costs.

 

The minutes from the last meeting were read.  David Schmitt made a motion to accept them as read.  Kevin Cox seconded.  Motion carried.

 

The meeting was dismissed at 2:55 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Teresa Julian

Secretary