Governor Announces FEMA Funding for Disaster Case Management Services For Tornado Survivors

Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday announced a 12.9 million-dollar Disaster Case Management Grant that will help Alabamians continue the long-term recovery process from the April 2011 tornadoes.

The grant is fully funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  Disaster case management services are available for survivors of both the April 15 and April 27, 2011, outbreaks.

Survivors in communities across the state still face a variety of unmet needs.  Those needs include rebuilding and construction costs that were not fully covered by insurance, the replacement of certain possessions, and more.  With this grant, disaster case managers can assess individual needs and work with storm survivors to outline a goal-oriented plan for their recovery.

"Since last year's storms, we have worked continuously to help people across this state.  I remain encouraged by the strength and resiliency of the people of Alabama, and this grant will allow us to continue our efforts to help people rebuild their lives," Governor Bentley said.  "As more people complete their recovery, our communities can be restored stronger than ever.  We remain committed to using every resource we have available to help our state rebuild."

Survivors with unmet, disaster-related needs can access disaster case management services, even after receiving state and federal disaster assistance.  The program is administered by The Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

"This grant will allow disaster case management to continue for a longer period of time in order to meet the needs that we still see in so many communities," said Jon Mason, director of the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.  "This is a unique program, and we are excited to be able to offer it to people who are working hard to restore what was lost in the storms."

The services are available to storm survivors whether they have registered with FEMA or not.  Three Alabama-based provider agencies have been selected to help coordinate the services across 43 counties:

        ARCH (Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless)

        Community Action Partnership of North Alabama

        Community Services Programs of West Alabama

Case managers will match survivors' essential needs to available resources, monitor their progress toward reaching recovery goals and, when necessary, offer survivor advocacy.

Storm survivors who would like to request Disaster Case Management services can simply dial 211 to be connected with the program.  Survivors can also dial, toll free, 1-888-421-1266.