Minutes – December 19, 2005 – 1:00 pm

Long-Term Recovery Committee of Southwestern Indiana Meeting

 

18 groups with 25 persons attending.

Randy Anderson, UMCOR, Chairman

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

Teresa M. Julian, American Red Cross, Secretary

James Collins, Catholic Charities, Treasurer

Groups Attending: Adventist Community Services American Red Cross CAPE Catholic Charities Evansville Tr-State Assn., UCC FEMA Habitat of Evansville HCRN (Hope Crisis Response Network) Independent Person(s) Lighthouse Mission of Faith Oakhill Baptist Church Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Salvation Army SW Indiana Mental Health Center Thrivent Financial Lutheran Tri-State Food Bank UMCOR United Way

 

Attending:

Shane O'Neill                     Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Teresa Julian                       American Red Cross volunteer

James Collins                      Catholic Charities

Tarrell Thompson               UMCOR

Mandy Gregory                  Tri-State Food Bank

Donna Carr                        Catholic Charities

Debbie Burns                     Adventist Community Services

Mike Wilson                       CAPE

Betty Shumate                    FEMA / Voluntary Agency Liaison

Don Barrett                        ARC / Case Manager

Carolyn Barrett                   ARC / Case Manager

Bridgette Naas                   Disaster Office / HCRN

Brenda Spells                     Oakhill Baptist Church

Melanie Doty                      Lighthouse Mission of Faith

Capt. Georgia Rodgers       The Salvation Army

Paul W. Farmer                  Evansville Tri-State Assn., UCC

Stephanie Norrick              United Way

Rick Paul                            Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center

Ken Hortin                         UMCOR

Jim Morgan                        Thrivent Financial for Lutheran

Catherine Cykowski           FEMA

Sally Gries                          Habitat of Evansville

David Bosard                     Independent Case Supervisor

 

**********

 

The meeting was called to order by Shane O'Neill, Vice-Chairman.  Each person introduced themselves and the organization they represented.  The Agenda was presented:  Distribution Center, Badges, Disaster Office, FEMA Report, Interview.

 

Donna Carr was informed organizations should call in to the Info Help line 2-1-1 to report if families have been adopted.

 

Debbie Burns reported that the Adventist Distribution Center was still open, Mondays 10-1 and Thursdays 4-7, beginning on Thursday, 12/22.  Food Baskets were being provided by Newburgh 7^th Day Adventist Church.  Both are located at the Newburgh church for 7^th Day Adventists on Bell Rd, east of the tornado sites.

 

Shane encouraged us to invite others to attend Committee meetings.  He stressed that all groups/persons are needed at the table so as unmet needs are identified, all groups will be available to provide options for meeting those needs.

 

Disaster Office

Bridgette Naas was hired to run the Disaster Office.  An answering machine has been provided since voicemail is inoperable at this time.  She asked whether or not the names of clients needing help should be presented before the Committee if we have their verbal approval to share their information – FEMA said no, legally we could not present names without client's WRITTEN / SIGNED approval for sharing their information.  Betty stressed that verbal approval by phone is not enough.  Discussion ended that if a signed release had been obtained for one organization, it was okay for all Committee work.  If a release has been obtained, then it is okay to share information, but names should be kept private whenever possible and Case Numbers should be utilized.

 

Bridgette reported there were many stories of poor insurance relations.  Utilizing an attorney on a pro-bono basis was discussed, but no formal motion was made nor a vote taken.  She will discuss this option with Shane and call the American Bar Association to investigate.  Donna Carr will also check on the possibility of volunteer attorneys. 

 

Bridgette then presented two cases for Committee attention.  After much discussion, the Committee decided to table all further Case Work discussions around the table until after the Case Supervisors' Meeting on 12/22 to determine the process for performing casework.

 

Discussion continued on specific casework.

[Secretary's Note – Since these minutes are posted on a public web site, all case work discussions at Committee meetings is governed by the Privacy Act and cannot be published or sent by email.  Complete copies of these minutes are available by request and can be delivered at regular Committee meetings.  Please contact Secretary Teresa Julian, at tmjulian61@aol.com.]

 

New Business

Carolyn Harmon reported that 50 families had been assisted to date by the Disaster Relief Center.  Support being provided includes nearly everything a family could need.  Survivors must show their FEMA number (or other agency assistance proof) and can then browse the furnishings.  Large items are tagged as taken, and if an item needed is not available, an attempt will be made to secure it.  So far, 25 mattresses and box springs are gone, which was the starting number, and many more are needed.  The same rules apply as for the St. Vincent dePaul Society's normal operations.  Donations are urgently needed!  Tom Hendricks (United Way/gifts-in-kind) may be able to secure additional beds.  Whirlpool has also been approached to assist with small kitchen appliances.  So far, in addition to tornado victims, the center has also assisted one Katrina family, one family from Madisonville, and one from Henderson.  Names are being taken as needs are identified.  CAPE should also be contacted – talk to Mike Wilson.  Shane reported he has begun recruiting pastors to be on-site and has 10-12.  Teresa reported the Red Cross has displayed hundreds of photos and other mementos recovered.

 

Some vandalism has been reported in the Newburgh area, but overall support is high.

 

Teresa reported there were 33 that attended the Case Manager training session held on Tuesday, December 13.  Training was taught by Gordon Knuckey of UMCOR from Denver.  When the American Red Cross stopped providing long-term assistance, UMCOR took over that function.  Thus, this training is recognized by the American Red Cross.  The teams are:

Catholic Charities – Donna Carr, Case Supervisor

Jim Collins, Case Manager

Wayne Bochert, Case Manager

Dawn Baumgart, Case Manager

St. Vincent dePaul Society – Carolyn Harmon, Case Supervisor

Maurice Keller, Case Manager

Joseph Hess, Case Manager

Lucie Hayden, Case Manager

Deacon Bob Hayden, Case Manager

Salvation Army – Capt. Georgia Rodgers, Case Supervisor

Debbie Englert, Case Manager

G. Rode, Case Manager

American Red Cross – Joyce Cosby, Case Supervisor

June Purcell, Case Manager

Carolyn Barrett, Case Manager

Don Barrett, Case Manager

Susan Shaw, Case Manager

CAPE (Community Action Program of Evansville) – Janet Johnson, Case Supervisor

Danyelle Granger, Case Manager

Aretha Sebree, Case Manager

Linda Carlisle, Case Manager

Carol Compton, Case Manager

Phillip Field, Case Manager

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) – Mark Dicken, Case Supervisor

Tarrell Thompson, Case Manager

Ken Hortin, Case Manager

Scott Putler, Case Manager

Carolyn Ellis, Case Manager

Randy Anderson, Case Manager

Independent – Dave Bosard, Case Supervisor

Mandy Gregory, Case Manager

Emily Baxter, Case Manager

Debbie Burns, Case Manager

Julie Marr, Case Manager (Note – Julie knows American Sign Language, but is not yet certified as a legal interpreter)

Sandy Roberts, Case Manager

Russell Yonkers, Case Manager

Teresa Julian, Case Manager

Shane O'Neill, Case Manager

(Resigned – Gene Held)

 

The Sub-Committees will not meet today. 

Marketing/Public Awareness – Catherine Cykowski reported that a tape of Shively & Shoulders was available and provided a good overview of the Committee and our focus.

Finance – Funds have been requested from Thrivent but no word has been received on approval yet.

 

The Information Line, 2-1-1, will need names and Social Security numbers, and continues to be under-utilized.

 

All Case Managers and Case Supervisors should meet at the first of the year.

 

A full membership list is available on the website:  www.recoverycommittee.bravehost.com.

 

Many agencies still have donations available.  Christmas basket size depends upon the agency, could be full coverage or just a small basket.

 

The next LTRCSI committee meeting will be held on Monday, January 9, at Epworth UMC.  The Sub-Committees will meet at 1:00 and the meeting will be held at 2:00.  All Case Supervisors will meet on Friday, December 22, at 8:30 am, at Epworth UMC for the first casework meeting.

 

Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center reported they had helped 10-20 families and individuals.  A support group is forming, but staffing it has become an issue, as well as meeting times.

 

Habitat of Evansville reported that 18 applications had been received, and others had inquired.  An outreach meeting was held on Saturday.  Another meeting will be held on January 5, at 5:30 pm.  For more information, please call 423-5623.

 

The representative from the Tennyson area was welcomed – Don Phillips.

 

Insurance proceeds could be stalled if the Indiana Insurance Commissioner becomes involved.  (On 12/22, the option of a public forum being presented by the Indiana Insurance Commissioner's office was announced.  It will be held at the (Newburgh) Ohio Township Central Library on Water Street, on Jan. 10, at both 1:00 and again at 6:30 pm.  It is not necessary to attend both meetings.  The room seats 180, though a larger venue will be sought if necessary.  Urge all clients that persistence pays off, and if they are unhappy with their settlement, they should not cash their check.

 

In Summary:

·        An attorney advocate will be sought (Donna Carr)

·        Bridgette Naas will contact the Indiana State Insurance Commissioner

·        Case Supervisors will meet after this meeting to begin addressing the Process for handling casework

·        Teresa Julian will assist in recruiting volunteers for a volunteer phone bank

·        Tax ID number from Catholic Charities will be provided to the Finance Sub-Committee

 

The Case Supervisors met at 2:30.  All were dismissed by 2:50 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Teresa Julian

Secretary, LTRCSI