FEMA Awards $58.2 Million Grant To Help Texans With Unmet Needs 

Release Date: March 27, 2009
Release Number: 1791-454

» More Information on Texas Hurricane Ike

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texans affected by Hurricane Ike who have unmet disaster-related needs will receive help through a $58.2 million grant awarded to Texas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The grant to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will provide case management services to some 30,000 Texans living in the 34 counties designated for individual assistance. Case managers will help families obtain housing, furniture, and other needs necessary for their recovery by connecting them with existing local resources.

"These case management services will help many thousands of Texans move forward to a full recovery from this disaster," said Brad Harris, federal coordinating officer for FEMA in Texas. "FEMA is doing all it can through its many broad and diverse efforts to help the Lone Star State recover from Ike."

The 18-month Disaster Case Management Pilot Program will gather best practices in Texas to help develop a model for a national disaster case management program.

HHSC has contracted with three nonprofit organizations to deliver the case management services. Neighborhood Center Inc. will provide case management to 15,000 families in Harris County. Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response will serve 13,000 families in Galveston and 15 other counties, and Deep East Texas Council of Governments will serve 1,400 families.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief and the Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response are providing case management training for the project.

"Texas welcomes this much-needed program and is pleased to help FEMA formulate a national model for disaster case management," said Joan Haun, state coordinating officer.

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

Last Modified: Monday, 30-Mar-2009 09:44:56