Long Term Care Recovery Committees: In for the Long Haul 

Release Date: November 16, 2005
Release Number: 1605-106

» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Katrina

MONTGOMERY , Ala. -- Recovering after a disaster takes more than a check. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will get a family or individual started on the road to recovery by helping with immediate needs. But it is the Long Term Care Recovery Committee (LTRC), composed of local volunteer agencies, that helps disaster survivors over the long haul. They can also provide help with needs not met by the State/FEMA programs.

The LTRCs are actually a network of community-based agencies working together to coordinate their response to disaster survivors. "Our purpose is to build a safety net of organizations and agencies in each community that will be able to provide help or services," said FEMA Volunteer Agency Liaison Carol Gordon. "Each organization will decide what they can do and then they are listed for that particular service."

Referrals are made to local groups as the needs are identified. The state and FEMA provide information on what national and local resources are available and which communities are the most severely damaged. Baldwin and Mobile Counties already have established committees. The cities of Birmingham , Anniston , Dothan , Huntsville , Montgomery , Selma , Tuscaloosa and York are in the process of developing a LTRC--which in some areas are called Long Term Recovery Groups or Long Term Recovery Organizations.

An important function of the groups is to point out all that can go into getting back on one's feet by helping each person work through a long-range plan. Volunteer caseworkers counsel individuals and families in the best use of their disaster aid. For example, LRTCs can send in volunteers to do work that might otherwise have to be paid for. They may be assigned to do repairs, to remove debris from homes inside or outside, or to supply other types of labor. If medical services, crisis counseling or legal advice is needed members of recovery committees may act as a resource for free or discounted assistance.

Help in forming a local group is provided by FEMA's Voluntary Agency Liaison staff in communities throughout Alabama along with these agencies; the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, churches and other faith-based groups and non-profit organizations.

Individuals who had losses because of Hurricane Katrina can register for assistance by calling either the toll-free number 800-621-FEMA (3362), the TTY number for hearing- or speech-impaired, 800-462-7585 or register online at www.fema.gov .

Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 10:41:16