Participant Guide - Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities USA Online Learning Series

Developing a Disaster Response Strategy

Participant Guide

Contents Developing a Disaster Response Strategy .................................................................................................... 1

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 1

Disaster Definition ..................................................................................................................................... 2

Scenario Part I - Before the Disaster ............................................................................................................. 2

Activity: Review of the Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool .............................................................................. 8

Scenario Part 2 – During the Disaster Event ................................................................................................. 9

Scenario Part 3 – After the Disaster Event .................................................................................................. 18

Disaster Response Strategy .................................................................................................................... 18

Activity: Reviewing the Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool ........................................................................ 20

Wrap Up ...................................................................................................................................................... 21

Resources ................................................................................................................................................... 22

Links to Online Resources ...................................................................................................................... 23

Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank) .................................................................................................... 24

Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool (Completed Sample) .............................................................................. 27

Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank) ................................................................................................ 30

Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool (Completed Sample) ........................................................................... 35

Catholic Charities USA Online Learning Series Developing a Disaster Response Strategy

1 Participant Guide

Developing a Disaster Response Strategy

Introduction Developing a Disaster Response Strategy was produced by Catholic Charities, USA, the official domestic relief agency of the United States Catholic Church. Local Catholic Charities agencies serve individuals, families, and communities impacted directly or indirectly by disaster events, where there is a lack of sufficient resources to recover, as part of our mission to provide service to people in need. Please note that Local Catholic are also referred to in this Participant Guide as Agencies.

When disasters strike, Catholic Charities agencies across the country and Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) provide relief and recovery services. Through training programs like this one, Catholic Charities USA also assists in building Agency capacity to serve disaster survivors. Training is available for leadership, management, staff, and volunteers of Catholic Charities USA, local Catholic Charities agencies, and community parishes and churches. If you are unfamiliar with the role of Catholic Charities agencies in disasters, these other online training videos will help to provide context:

Disaster Basics Catholic Charities Concept of Disaster Operations

Understanding Risk

Developing a Disaster Response Strategy demonstrates both pre-disaster preparedness steps and immediate post-disaster actions that will enhance your organization’s capability to assist disaster survivors who have suffered losses.

This Participant Guide includes:

• A summary of the video content • Activities that will reinforce and apply concepts introduced in the training, and • Resources to use when you are working on your own Agency’s disaster response strategy.


2 Participant Guide

Disaster Definition

Every community is vulnerable to some kind of hazard. As described in the Understanding Risk training, a risk assessment is the first step in preparedness, helping an organization anticipate who and what could be most affected by a hazard event. It provides the basis for disaster planning.

Disaster is defined as a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or society. A disaster causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses that exceed the community's or society's ability to cope using its own resources. A hazard event does not have to be Presidentially declared to be a disaster for your community .

Scenario Introduction

This training uses a scenario-style format to demonstrate tools you can use when working on your own Agency’s disaster response strategy.

There has not been a natural disaster in the Diocese of Burgo for over 20 years. Catholic Charities of Burgo offers programs for behavioral health, emergency food, immigration services and domestic violence. This small Agency has a staff of eight and a number of volunteers, with highly active Parish Social Ministry programming in most parishes of the diocese. The current Executive Director was hired four years ago.

Scenario Part I - Before the Disaster In an early spring meeting the Executive Director voices her concerns to Agency staff.

With all of that snow up north, the National Weather Service is predicting that rivers in this area could reach record depths later this spring when the snow melts. I am concerned about our readiness to assist the residents of Wrightstown if the Cahalan River floods. Many of our clients live nearby and already face multiple challenges. I found a Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool on the Catholic Charities USA Member Portal that is going to be helpful as we prepare.


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Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool

Community Demographics

The first section addresses Community Demographics. Staff member Roberto gathered these statistics to complete the form.

Vulnerable Populations

The next section focuses on Vulnerable Populations Staff member Janet provides a summary of the social vulnerability situation in that town, particularly in neighborhoods along the river.

Poverty is the biggest problem and that will get much worse if the people are flooded because many have no insurance.

There are housebound older adults and both adults and children with special needs that rely on various social services.

Use this Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool to either start planning for disasters in your agency or to continually update disaster plans.


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We serve our Hispanic community through our Immigration services. About half have conversational English. The town has over two hundred single adult households with children, who are also reliant on social services. We can get more details from county social services agencies and St. Dorothy’s.

There is also a web-based Disaster Operations Map, developed by Catholic Charities USA, that we can look at to find any other vulnerable neighborhoods. Search for “CCUSA Disaster Map” on the internet.

Agency Preparedness

The Agency Preparedness section of this tool assesses our disaster preparedness, and frankly ours is not good. Regarding our disaster planning, I was not clear about the differences between our Emergency Plan, a Disaster Plan, and a Continuity of Operations Plan. I called Catholic Charities USA for clarification.

• The Emergency Plan describes what we will do internally to ensure the safety of our staff and preserve business functions in an emergency.

CCUSA Disaster Operations Map https://ccusa.github.io/Disaster_Vulnerability_Map/#3/38.91/-76.92

https://ccusa.github.io/Disaster_Vulnerability_Map/#3/38.91/-76.92


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• It is part of the Continuity of Operations Plan, which also identifies alternatives for physical location, critical resources and critical staffing if needed after a disaster.

• A Disaster Plan defines what we will do to assist others after a disaster event. Currently we only have an Emergency Plan so we will need to work quickly to develop the others.

The staff at Catholic Charities of Burgo continues to provide input regarding their Agency’s current preparedness:

Communications and Website We are not exactly ready right now to switch to disaster-related communications and social networking, but we can build the capability.

Counselors and Spiritual Care Certainly, counseling and spiritual care services will be needed. We can involve our internal behavioral health team and reach out to the priests and pastoral associates in the diocese.

Case Managers We do have case managers, but none have been trained as disaster case managers. There is a video called Transitioning to Disaster Case Management on the CCUSA YouTube Channel. I don’t know if that will be enough, but I do know we can call CCUSA for specific Disaster Case Management training.

Food Bank/Soup Kitchen People with damaged homes or no homes, and possibly no jobs are going to need our food bank more than ever. We’ll start figuring out how to expand our services in a disaster.

Parish Social Ministry Most of the flooding is likely to occur in St. Dorothy’s parish. They do have an active Parish Social Ministry.

I’ve also heard about another CCUSA product called the Catholic Disaster Preparedness Program, that focuses on individuals, families and parishes. Perhaps we can work with St. Dorothy’s to implement it this spring.

The Executive Director promises to immediately initiate a conversation with the appropriate Diocesan offices and with the Disaster Operations staff at Catholic Charities USA about options for dealing with post-disaster financial needs.


6 Participant Guide

Community Partners

We are a little better prepared in the area of Community Partners. We already have some great relationships with the other voluntary Agencies that serve the poor and vulnerable in Wrightstown. Hopefully, we can initiate or join discussions with them about working together in a disaster situation. I will also check to see if Wrightstown has an emergency management program.


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Collaboration with Catholic Charities USA

The last section of the assessment is on Collaboration with Catholic Charities USA. As we have found already, they have a wide array of preparedness resources and the Disaster Operations staff are extremely helpful. We will continue to reach out for help as this potential crisis unfolds.


8 Participant Guide

Activity: Review of the Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool

1. When the video is paused, or later when more time is available, turn to the blank version of the Catholic Charities USA Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool at the end of this Participant Guide.

2. Review it individually or with fellow Agency staff. 3. Identify elements your organization has not addressed or need improvement.


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Scenario Part 2 – During the Disaster Event

“… reporting from Wrightstown, near the raging Cahalan River.”

This flooding began with the unusual amount of snow melt that flooded into the rivers feeding the Cahalan. There’s also been record rainfall this month, with over 12 inches of rain. The Cahalan River now has exceeded all historic levels and continues to rise, spilling over the banks and inundating low-lying areas of Wrightstown. The National Weather Service predicts that the river will crest during the next two days.

Over 500 residents of mobile home parks and other neighborhoods near the river have been forced to leave their homes. The extent of the damage will not be known until the water recedes, at least a week after the river crests.

Impact on Catholic Charities of Burgo Facilities

The constant rain has caused some roof leakage above Catholic Charities and other diocesan offices, and water is slowly seeping into the basement of this building. Building maintenance is addressing facility problems according to the Emergency Plan. A plastic tarp is now in place to prevent rain from entering through the roof and volunteers are moving records and supplies from the basement to higher floors.

We re-join Catholic Charities of Burgo during the now-daily disaster response meeting.

Disaster Assessment Over 200 homes have already been damaged or destroyed by the flooding. Many of our Wrightstown clients in the River Bend, River Oak, Oaktree, and Shady Bend neighborhoods have been forced to evacuate their homes…

Basic needs issues are increasing. The residents without transportation are being transported by Wrightstown and County emergency services to two public Emergency Shelters at Wrightstown High School and Wrightstown Middle School. There is no access to food or water in the damaged area for those remaining. They and the evacuees will need both, wherever they find temporary housing. We have received higher-than-usual domestic violence calls. … Our undocumented clients all live in the affected area and many are non-English-speaking.


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We are tracking the disaster impacts in Wrightstown, and our available resources using a Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool we received from Catholic Charities USA. This assessment will form the basis for our Disaster Response Strategy.

Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool

.

Disaster Event Describe the disaster that occurred in your community (tornado, flood, wildfire, etc.). When did it occur (date and time)?

Description of the specific disaster event Cahalan River flooding

Date of specific disaster event Slow rising flooding June, 20XX



The Burgo Catholic Charities Agency has been able to increased disaster response capacity after contributing many hours to preparing. The staff members assess where their efforts stand right now, using this section on Local Agency Resources and Capacities.

Communications and Website

… keeping the website up to date on our disaster activities in collaboration with the Diocese communications director. He is also assisting me to create an online collection capability specifically for disaster assistance.

Counselling and Spiritual Care

… our two available Behavioral Health counselors are already working with clients affected by the disaster. St. Dorothy’s priests have offered to assist with Pastoral Counseling, but we have not worked out a schedule yet.



Disaster Case Management

Disaster Case Management is a work in progress. Our case managers have watched the CCUSA video on Transitioning to Disaster Case Management. They will have to put other cases on hold temporarily to assist with disaster cases. We are looking for qualified volunteers to train, particularly those with Spanish language proficiency.

Our Agency facilities are still available to provide services. Other assistance locations will be established by County emergency management and we should be able to station one or two of our case managers there.

Food Bank/Soup Kitchen

We’re directing those with immediate food needs to our expanded food bank operation or to one of the mass feeding locations set up in the community, and we have been very blessed by an influx of wonderful food bank volunteers and food donations from parishes and partners.



There’s also a growing requirement for mass distributions of basic needs supplies. Some of our staff have watched the video Establishing and Managing a Point of Distribution but we will definitely collaborate with other organizations that have experience with this.

Parish Social Ministry

Parish Social Ministries are anxious to help those affected by the flood. St. Dorothy’s has volunteered to host a Point of Distribution, or POD. Their St. Vincent de Paul Conference has offered volunteers, and other Parishes in the Diocese are starting to collect the items we need.

Financials and Donations

… our finance system is now set up to handle donations to help our flood survivors and we can track and report back to donors. Our community donors and supporters are anxious to help!

We sent an e-blast and are guiding donors to our social media and disaster response web content. Our most needed resources are listed on our Facebook Page and we have invited generous individuals to provide gift cards.



The Brighter Day Community Foundation and the Burgo Credit Union are historically strong donors to emergency appeals. They may be willing to issue a mini-grant or donation to help kickstart our relief efforts.

Our locally owned hardware and grocery stores may also be willing to donate goods. And I think the Home Depot and the Wal-Mart store managers are authorized to make immediate donations in times of emergency. We will contact them.

We also have a meeting scheduled with the Bishop to see if a Diocese-wide second collection is possible to assist the relief efforts. Our collection efforts will be coordinated with community partners. We’ve enhanced our existing relationships with them and developed new ones to meet the needs of the flood survivors.



Our newly formed group of Local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, or VOAD, coordinates services to avoid duplication of effort.

• The American Red Cross is operating three Emergency Shelters. • The Salvation Army is serving hot meals and collaborating with us and with Feeding America on

emergency food needs. • The United Methodist Committee on Relief, called UMCOR, plans to provide cleaning supplies at any

mass distributions. • Lutheran Disaster Response volunteers are prepared to do home muck-outs when the water recedes,

and St. Vincent DePaul is ordering 500 hygiene kits for mass distribution. • The United Way is fund raising and offering support to other community response efforts • The local Emergency Management Agency coordinates the emergency response with the county and

State and keeps our VOAD informed.

Catholic Charities USA Collaboration

Catholic Charities USA collaboration has been constant since this flooding became imminent. They are supporting us already and will continue to help us through this crisis. We plan to apply for CCUSA’s Emergency Grant to enhance our ability to provide immediate needs assistance. They will help us through the grant application. We have already asked for some experienced disaster case managers to help us get started and to train our staff. We also requested training and/or assistance on setting up and managing PODS.

Last month we received a Disaster Visibility Kit, including Catholic Charities shirts, caps, car magnets, safety vests and arm bands. We may have to order more.

After we have assessed the current supply of hygiene and clean up supplies, we will decide if we need to request more from CCUSA to distribute at St. Dorothy’s and other POD sites.



Finally, since we have no experience managing the Catholic Charities network offers of support, we have already requested assistance in helping us sort out what we need and whom to ask.



Scenario Part 3 – After the Disaster Event “… reporting from Wrightstown.”

The Cahalan River crested 6 days ago, and the water has receded from most of the flooded homes and businesses. Local law enforcement and emergency management officials have

conducted a preliminary search for missing persons and found one elderly couple drowned in their home. Three other people are unaccounted for. In the flooded area, police are allowing residents to return to their homes to assess personal losses. Fire fighters and utility workers are on hand to address downed power lines and gas leaks. Returning residents are finding severe conditions like structural damage to homes - sagging ceilings, large wall and floor cracks, and walls out of plumb.

Furniture, vehicles, and other large debris are stacked in hazardous positions. Household chemicals such as paints and solvents, lawn fertilizers, and pesticides are spilled. Other hazards residents are facing include mold and mildew, live snakes, rats, and fire ants, and dead animals and rotted food.

The situation is worsened by reports that fewer than half the affected residents have flood insurance, and regular homeowners’ insurance does not cover flooding. In spite of that, it is unlikely that the governor will request a Presidential Disaster Declaration because the flooding affected such a small percentage of the State’s population.

Volunteer agencies, teamed with the local and state government, will be the main source of relief to the flood survivors.

We re-join Catholic Charities of Burgo during the daily staff briefing. The Executive Director is recognizing the assistance we are receiving from the four experienced disaster managers sent by the Catholic Charities network, who have fully engaged in the community response and recovery effort.

Disaster Response Strategy We have been able to build and implement a solid Disaster Response Strategy because of the assessments we made before, during and immediately after the flood in Wrightstown. As the response period ends and the long-term recovery begins, we will adjust to meet the evolving needs of our vulnerable population. This is where we stand today

.




Our website has been updated to reflect available disaster assistance and we have added a category of online donations specific to the disaster.

Counselors and Spiritual Care: Behavioral health staff are taking as many new disaster related referrals as possible, in coordination with County Mental Health Services.

Father Tom at St. Dorothy’s and Father Bob on the Diocese staff are each volunteering to provide disaster-related spiritual care on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Disaster Case management

Our disaster case management operation is now in full swing thanks to the assistance and training provided by our CCUSA network partners. We have six disaster case managers who are providing services here at our offices and at the Wrightstown Assistance Center. We have forms to complete for each client and we are currently triaging to determine immediate, intermediate and long-term needs. Immediate needs are being coordinated through the local VOAD organization.


We have maintained our expanded Food Bank operation thanks to our volunteers and the generosity of donations from parishes around the state. We will continue to host distributions while the need exists. The current schedule includes St Dorothy’s this afternoon and Saturday at the Wrightstown Mall. . ..distributions are coordinated with the local VOAD group, and each Agency has a specified role. Catholic Charities roles are to distribute the food boxes prepared in the warehouse we are sharing with Feeding America, and handle intake of survivors receiving the donations.

Jen on our staff is coordinating registration of our volunteers and distribution of visibility gear.


In addition to hosting the distributions, St. Dorothy’s has collected both food and monetary donations from generous parishioners. Other parishes in the diocese have similarly been contributing donations and volunteers to our efforts.



Financials

Our financial system is tracking specific donations, both financial and in-kind, which enables us to report to donors on the use of their gifts.

Donors/Community Support

The Diocese is overseeing our donation and tracking systems. The Bishop has requested a collection diocese-wide to assist the disaster recovery effort.

Thank you everyone for your continued hard work and servant spirits. We are blessed with great partners in the community and throughout the Catholic Charities network. With God’s help we will be able to continue with our partners to see our friends in Wrightstown through the disaster and hopefully to an even better life.

Activity: Reviewing the Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool

1. When the video is paused, or later when more time is available please turn to the blank Catholic Charities USA Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool at the end of the Participant Guide.

2. Individually or with fellow staff, pick a likely hazard event that could affect your vulnerable populations.

3. Talk through the possible consequences and your Agency’s ability to respond.



Wrap Up This scenario represented an imaginary Catholic Charities agency, dealing with a natural disaster event in a hypothetical town. It demonstrated how local Agencies can and must take steps to be ready for, and then respond to, a disaster affecting their vulnerable people.

Blank copies of the forms shown in this video are included in the Participant Guide and are available from Catholic Charities USA.

Contact Catholic Charities USA to avail your organization of the many resources and training opportunities that will assist you in building your disaster response capabilities. Email us at [email protected] or call Catholic Charities USA at (703) 549-1390.

mailto:[email protected]



Resources Links to Online Resources

Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank)

Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool (Completed Sample)

Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank)

Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool (Completed Sample)



Links to Online Resources • CCUSA Disaster Operations Map https://ccusa.github.io/Disaster_Vulnerability_Map/#3/38.91/-76.92 • CCUSA Disaster Training Video Library

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaD_V8asmqbgRJomEx7MfD4X9QlmJDFmW • CCUSA Catholic Disaster Preparedness Program

o Preparing Individuals and Families Video 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83OOcITkhN8&t=2s

o Preparing Individuals and Family Video 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfzhxm5K8CQ

o Parish Disaster Planning Video 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaM2WjqH-Fw&t=15s

o Parish Disaster Planning Video 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VycG-HX94-o

o Sharing Our Gifts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29hx-449Joo

https://ccusa.github.io/Disaster_Vulnerability_Map/#3/38.91/-76.92

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaD_V8asmqbgRJomEx7MfD4X9QlmJDFmW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83OOcITkhN8&t=2s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfzhxm5K8CQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaM2WjqH-Fw&t=15s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VycG-HX94-o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29hx-449Joo



Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank) Use this Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool to either start planning for disasters in your agency or to continually update disaster plans.

Community Demographics Be sure to clearly define the geographic area of the community prior to completing this assessment. Population Children under 18 Elderly What are the languages spoken? What is the average income per household in this community?

Where are the lowest income areas in this community?

Does your agency currently serve clients in these areas?

Are homes mostly rented or owner-occupied?

How many parishes are located in this community?

Do you have contact with Parish Social Ministry groups at these parishes?

Vulnerable Populations Identify vulnerable populations in this community and determine current ability to access resources.

Percentage of population

English language capacity

Homebound or lack transportation

Dependent on social services (Meals on Wheels, Home health aides, Shelters)

Elderly Homeless Refugees Undocumented/migrants Disabled Single Parent Households Children under 18 Ability to Access Basic Needs In Neighborhood Outside of

neighborhood Provided through Catholic Charities programs

Food Clean Water Livable Sheltering Personal Safety/Protection Access to Medical Care (Acute and Chronic, Medications)



Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank), Continued

Local Catholic Charities Agency Preparedness What are the programs or services that can be expanded or utilized during disaster events? Are these programs or services included in Agency disaster plans?

Yes No Does your agency have a COOP? Does your agency have a Disaster Plan? Communications and Website • Have you identified a staff person be in charge of media outreach and management in

disasters?

• Can your website be updated to reflect your disaster response efforts? • Do you have online donation collection ability? • Are these items outlined in an Agency disaster plan? Counselors and Spiritual Care

• Have you identified Crisis Counselors that can provide services to disaster survivors? • Have you identified priests that are willing to provide Pastoral Counseling in times of disaster? • Are these items outlined in an Agency disaster plan?? • Is there a designated spot where information is kept?

Case Managers • Have Case Managers been trained in Disaster Case Work or Disaster Case Management

• Is providing Disaster Case Management included in an Agency disaster plan?

• Have you identified others in your community who also perform Disaster Case Work/Management?


• Has disaster feeding been incorporated into your food bank and/or soup kitchen disaster plan? • Have procedures been created to identify and meet additional mass feeding needs in the

community during a disaster, if gap exists?

• Can the Food Bank support additional food box delivery or pick in times of disaster, if need exists?

• Have these items been included in the Agency disaster plan?

Parish Social Ministry • Are there parish disaster teams located in this community? Have they been trained in

supporting Agency response efforts (Points of Distribution, volunteer management, debris removal, etc.)?

• Is outreach to parishes and the utilization of these teams included in the Agency disaster plan?



Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank), Continued

Community Partners Engagement with partners is a vital component to any disaster response program. Identify partners that you are collaborating with pre-disaster and expected roles in times of disaster. Catholic Charities USA Collaboration What services are you utilizing from Catholic Charities USA Disaster Operations in non-disaster times? Disaster Preparedness and Response Network Have staff been identified to participate in this network? Are staff sharing information learned through the webinar series or monthly newsletters?

Training Have you identified key staff to attend the annual Applied Institute for Disaster Excellence? Have these staff attended? Have they shared lessons learned?

Visibility Do you have a visibility kit on hand? National Level Coordination Do you need help connecting with your Regional FEMA Office or VAL? Is there more disaster assistance that you need from Catholic Charities USA?



Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool (Completed Sample) Use this Pre-Disaster Assessment Tool to either start planning for disasters in your agency or to continually update disaster plans.

Community Demographics Be sure to clearly define the geographic area of the community prior to completing this assessment. Population 4046 Children under 18 35% Elderly 15% What are the languages spoken? Mostly English, some Spanish, and a few Vietnamese immigrants What is the average income per household in this community?

$35,366

Where are the lowest income areas in this community?

The mobile home parks and other homes near the railroad tracks along the Cahalan River

Does your agency currently serve clients in these areas?

Yes

Are homes mostly rented or owner-occupied?

Both, but most mobile homes that are owner-occupied rent the lots

How many parishes are located in this community?

One, St. Dorothy’s Catholic Church

Do you have contact with Parish Social Ministry groups at these parishes?

Yes

Vulnerable Populations Identify vulnerable populations in this community and determine current ability to access resources.

Percentage of population




Elderly 15% 80% 20% 20% Homeless Around 5% 95% 50% Limited homeless

shelters available Refugees 5% 50% Limited

transportation Food Bank

Undocumented/migrants 5% 50% Limited transportation

Food Bank

Disabled 5% 90% 50% 80% Single Parent Households 45% 95% 20-25% lack

transportation Food Bank, WIC

Children under 18 35% 95% N/A WIC Ability to Access Basic Needs In Neighborhood Outside of

neighborhood Provided through Catholic Charities programs

Food no yes Food Bank Clean Water yes yes Food Bank Livable Sheltering no yes Referrals



Personal Safety/Protection some yes Domestic abuse assistance Access to Medical Care (Acute and Chronic, Medications)

no yes Referrals

Local Catholic Charities Agency Preparedness What are the programs or services that can be expanded or utilized during disaster events? Are these programs or services included in Agency disaster plans?

Yes No Does your agency have a COOP? Does your agency have a Disaster Plan? *We have an emergency plan Communications and Website • Have you identified a staff person be in charge of media outreach and management in

disasters?

• Can your website be updated to reflect your disaster response efforts? • Do you have online donation collection ability? • Are these items outlined in an Agency disaster plan? Counselors and Spiritual Care

• Have you identified Crisis Counselors that can provide services to disaster survivors? • Have you identified priests that are willing to provide Pastoral Counseling in times of disaster? • Are these items outlined in an Agency disaster plan?? • Is there a designated spot where information is kept?

Case Managers • Have Case Managers been trained in Disaster Case Work or Disaster Case Management • Is providing Disaster Case Management included in an Agency disaster plan? • Have you identified others in your community who also perform Disaster Case

Work/Management?


• Has disaster feeding been incorporated into your food bank and/or soup kitchen disaster plan? • Have procedures been created to identify and meet additional mass feeding needs in the

community during a disaster, if gap exists?

• Can the Food Bank support additional food box delivery or pick in times of disaster, if need exists?

• Have these items been included in the Agency disaster plan?

Parish Social Ministry • Are there parish disaster teams located in this community? Have they been trained in

supporting Agency response efforts (Points of Distribution, volunteer management, debris removal, etc.)?

• Is outreach to parishes and the utilization of these teams included in the Agency disaster plan?

Community Partners Engagement with partners is a vital component to any disaster response program. Identify partners that you are collaborating with pre-disaster and expected roles in times of disaster.



American Red Cross We currently collaborate to provide food to needy families Salvation Army No but would in a disaster United Way Support our social services programs St. Vincent de Paul There is a St. Vincent DePaul Conference and Thrift Shop in

the county; we sometimes request volunteers/goods to assist our clients

Local and State VOAD No Local and State Emergency Management No Local and State Social Services We have good relationships developed through case

management work Feeding America We support each other’s Food Bank operations as needed Catholic Charities USA Collaboration What services are you utilizing from Catholic Charities USA Disaster Operations in non-disaster times? Disaster Preparedness and Response Network Have staff been identified to participate in this network? Are staff sharing information learned through the webinar series or monthly newsletters?

No

Training Have you identified key staff to attend the annual Applied Institute for Disaster Excellence? Have these staff attended? Have they shared lessons learned?

No

Visibility Do you have a visibility kit on hand? No National Level Coordination Do you need help connecting with your Regional FEMA Office or VAL? Is there more disaster assistance that you need from Catholic Charities USA?

Not sure



Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank)

Disaster Event

Describe the disaster that occurred in your community (tornado, flood, wildfire, etc.). When did it occur (date and time)?

Description of the specific disaster event

Date of specific disaster event

Damaged Area Describe the disaster impact in the damaged areas of your community. Use the following categories to assist in your damage assessment. Are homes damaged/destroyed?

Yes

No Estimate how many homes are damaged/ destroyed

In what neighborhoods/streets are these homes located?

Estimate how many people have been impacted in these areas

Is there a lot of debris in the damaged area?

Is debris blocking roads?

Are there access restrictions in the damaged area (ex. only open to first responders, residents)?

Has community infrastructure been impacted (ex. hospital, fire stations, schools)?



Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank), Continued


Identify vulnerable populations in the damaged area, determine ability to access resources, and identify specific needs for assistance.

Percent of population




Elderly

Homeless

Refugees

Undocumented/migrants

Disabled

Single Parent Households

Children under 18

Ability to Access Basic Needs In Neighborhood

Outside of neighborhood Catholic Charities programs

Food

Clean Water

Livable Sheltering

Personal Safety/Protection

Other:



Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank), Continued

Local Catholic Charities Agency Resources and Capacities

What services can your agency provide in support of disaster survivors? What resources do you have on hand or can access to help with programming?


Can a staff person be in charge of media outreach and management?

Does your website reflect your disaster response efforts? Do you have online donation collection ability?

Counselors and Spiritual Care

Are Crisis Counselors available to provide Services to disaster survivors?

If so, when can they offer counseling? How many clients can they assist?

Are priests available to provide Pastoral Counseling? If so, when and where?

Case Managers

Are Case Managers trained in Disaster Case Work or Disaster Case Management?

Are they available to assist disaster survivors?

From where can they provide services?


Is there need for additional mass feeding in the community?

Is there a need for food box delivery or pick up for disaster survivors? Can the Food Bank support this effort?


Are parishes in or around the damaged areas willing to support a response effort? If so, how (ex. Points of Distribution, Volunteer Clean up Teams)?

Financial



Is your Finance system set up to handle disaster-specific donations for this event? Can you easily track and report back to donors on how the money was spent?

Donors/Community Supporters

How are you communicating your efforts to donors? Do you have a fundraising plan? Can you estimate how much funding you need?

Are there community supporters that can offer in kind products to you? How will you distribute?

Diocesan Involvement

How is the Diocese getting involved in the response effort? Were parishes affected? Will there be a second collection? What interaction is planned between Catholic Charities and the Bishop?

Community Partners and Community Resources

Engagement with partners is a vital component to any disaster response program. How are your partners supporting disaster survivors? Can you supplement these efforts? Are there identified gaps in service? Is every impacted population receiving services (don’t forget about the most vulnerable!)?



Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool (Blank), continued


What assistance do you need from CCUSA or the wider Catholic Charities network?

Financial

Have you applied for an Emergency Grant (up to $10,000)?

Staffing

Do you need additional on-the-ground support or technical assistance (ex. Case Managers, Points of Distribution training)?

Visibility

Have you ordered a visibility kit? These items assist in identifying the Catholic Charities Disaster brand.

In kind Product Support

Are there in kind resources that you cannot source locally (ex. hygiene kits, clean up buckets)? Is there a storage facility that can accept these donations? Do you have Points of Distribution for these items?

National Level Coordination

Do you need assistance managing Catholic Charities network offers of support? Do you need help connecting with FEMA? Are you concerned with lack of access to resources for the most vulnerable?



Rapid Disaster Assessment Tool (Completed Sample)

Disaster Event

Describe the disaster that occurred in your community (tornado, flood, wildfire, etc.). When did it occur (date and time)?

Description of the specific disaster event Record flooding of Cahalan River due to unusually high rain amounts and spring flooding from the north. Low-lying areas adjacent to the river are inundated and water is still rising,

Date of specific disaster event June23-June 28

Damaged Area Describe the disaster impact in the damaged areas of your community. Use the following categories to assist in your damage assessment. Are homes damaged/destroyed?

Yes

No Estimate how many homes are damaged/ destroyed

Approximately 240 homes have been destroyed to date.

In what neighborhoods/streets are these homes located?

River Bend, River Oak, Oaktree, and Shady Bend

Estimate how many people have been impacted in these areas

We are estimating these numbers of affected people in the flooded neighborhoods: River Bend - 250 River Oak - 100 Oaktree - 30 Shady Bend - 200 Approximately 580 total

Is there a lot of debris in the damaged area?

yes Is debris blocking roads?

Debris and water are blocking River Road, the main thoroughfare.

Are there access restrictions in the damaged area (ex. only open to first responders, residents)?

There is no access to River Bend or Shady Bend and limited access to River Oak and Oaktree.

Has community infrastructure been impacted (ex. hospital, fire stations, schools)?

Yes, one fire station and the Wrightstown Elementary School have interior flooding.




Identify vulnerable populations in the damaged area, determine ability to access resources, and identify specific needs for assistance.

Percent of population




Elderly 15% Evacuated by WFD

yes

Homeless -5% 95% 50% yes

Refugees 15% limited Unknown status

Food bank

Undocumented/migrants 10% limited Unknown status

Food bank

Disabled 10% yes Evacuated by WFD

80%

Single Parent Households 50% 95% 20-25% lack transportation

Food Bank, WIC

Children under 18 35% 95% N/A WIC

Ability to Access Basic Needs In Neighborhood

Outside of neighborhood Catholic Charities programs

Food no yes Food Bank

Clean Water no Food Bank

Livable Sheltering limited yes

Personal Safety/Protection unknown yes Domestic abuse assistance

Other:



Local Catholic Charities Agency Resources and Capacities

What services can your agency provide in support of disaster survivors? What resources do you have on hand or can access to help with programming?


Can a staff person be in charge of media outreach and management?

The Diocese has online collection capability and will provide IT assistance.

Does your website reflect your disaster response efforts? Do you have online donation collection ability?

The website can be updated to reflect disaster assistance available and online collection.

Counselors and Spiritual Care

Are Crisis Counselors available to provide Services to disaster survivors?

Our two available Behavioral Health counselors are already counseling current clients that are suffering disaster impacts.

If so, when can they offer counseling? How many clients can they assist?

TBD

Are priests available to provide Pastoral Counseling? If so, when and where?

St. Dorothy’s has 2 priests and have offered to assist with Pastoral Counseling when needed.

Case Managers

Are Case Managers trained in Disaster Case Work or Disaster Case Management?

We have case managers available that have watched CCUSA video on Transitioning to Disaster Case Management.

Are they available to assist disaster survivors? In order to assist with new disaster-related cases they will have to put other cases on hold temporarily.

From where can they provide services? Our Agency facilities still available to provide services and other assistance locations will be established by County emergency management.


Is there need for additional mass feeding in the community?

Our Food Bank is operating, and our volunteers are assisting with mass feedings being provided in collaboration with Salvation Army and Feeding America.

Is there a need for food box delivery or pick up for disaster survivors? Can the Food Bank support this effort?

N/A




Are parishes in or around the damaged areas willing to support a response effort? If so, how (ex. Points of Distribution, Volunteer Clean up Teams)?

St. Dorothy’s has volunteered to host a Point of Distribution, or “POD” to distribute basic needs supplies to Wrightstown flood survivors. We have watched the video “Establishing and Managing a Point of Distribution” but need to collaborate with other organizations on supplies to distribute.

Catholic Charities and St. Vincent DePaul volunteers are available.

Financial

Is your Finance system set up to handle disaster-specific donations for this event? Can you easily track and report back to donors on how the money was spent?

Our finance department is receiving assistance from the Diocesan management office to establish a system for handling donations.

Donors/Community Supporters

How are you communicating your efforts to donors? Do you have a fundraising plan? Can you estimate how much funding you need?

Our development director did an e-blast and will also be directing our donors to the social media and web content being shared. The Community Foundation as well as the Brighter Day Burgo Credit Union are historically strong donors to emergency relief who may be willing to issue a mini-grant or donation to help kick start our relief efforts. We also listed our most needed resources on our Facebook Page. We invited generous individuals to provide gift cards.

Are there community supporters that can offer in kind products to you? How will you distribute?

The locally owned hardware and grocery store may be willing to donate goods we need.

Local Home Depot and Wal-Mart Store Managers also have the ability to make immediate donations in times of emergency; I’ll have to get in touch with them.

Diocesan Involvement

How is the Diocese getting involved in the response effort? Were parishes affected? Will there be a second collection? What interaction is planned between Catholic Charities and the Bishop?

The Executive Director will approach the Bishop to see if a second collection is possible to assist disaster relief efforts. There may also be parishes willing to hold parish-drives for the items we need.



Community Partners and Community Resources

Engagement with partners is a vital component to any disaster response program. How are your partners supporting disaster survivors? Can you supplement these efforts? Are there identified gaps in service? Is every impacted population receiving services (don’t forget about the most vulnerable!)?

American Red Cross is operating Emergency Shelters.

Salvation Army is serving hot meals and collaborating on mass feeding.

UMCOR (United Methodist) plans to provide cleaning supplies.

Lutheran Disaster Response volunteers are prepared to do muck outs when the water recedes.

St. Vincent DePaul is ordering 500 Hygiene kits to distribute at the PODs.

United Way is fund raising and offering support to other community response efforts.

A local VOAD was formed in May. We are members and have been meeting regularly to coordinate services.

Local emergency management is coordinating Emergency Services, keeps the local VOAD informed, and assists as possible.


What assistance do you need from CCUSA or the wider Catholic Charities network?

Financial

Have you applied for an Emergency Grant (up to $10,000)?

We plan to apply for an Emergency Grant to enhance our ability to provide immediate needs assistance to clients. We may need assistance with the grant application process.

Staffing

Do you need additional on-the-ground support or technical assistance (ex. Case Managers, Points of Distribution training)?

We need experienced disaster case managers to get us started and train our staff.

We also need more training on setting up and managing PODS.

Visibility



Have you ordered a visibility kit? These items assist in identifying the Catholic Charities Disaster brand.

We ordered visibility kits from CCUSA earlier in the spring but with the scope and impact of the flooding we may need more.

In Kind Product Support

Are there in kind resources that you cannot source locally (ex. hygiene kits, clean up buckets)? Is there a storage facility that can accept these donations? Do you have Points of Distribution for these items?

We are still assessing the ability of partners to obtain hygiene and clean up supplies. We may need to request assistance from CCUSA.

National Level Coordination

Do you need assistance managing Catholic Charities network offers of support? Do you need help connecting with FEMA? Are you concerned with lack of access to resources for the most vulnerable?

We have no experience with managing network offers of support and have already requested assistance in helping us sort out what we need and whom to ask.

Participant Guide - Catholic Charities USA

Documents

Transcript of Participant Guide - Catholic Charities USA