DISASTER SERVICES
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Picking up the pieces after a disaster can be a daunting and emotionally exhausting task. A disaster case manager can serve as a vital support system to help individuals and families navigate the complex recovery process. These professionals are skilled in coordinating resources, creating tailored recovery plans, and providing emotional support to those affected by disasters. They work closely with experienced nonprofit organizations that offer these services at no cost, ensuring that financial burdens do not impede access to necessary assistance.
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Checks can be mailed to SVDP Sacramento Council, P.O. Box 162487, Sacramento, CA 95816
MEMO LINE: Disaster Case Management
What is a Disaster Case Manager?
Contacts:
"Though there was no where to live, they were going to find a place for me and they did. They surely did. I am shocked. I can’t believe I have a place to live. I am very happy.
There is no where and there is nobody to turn to unless you have case managers and then you have help. and they are a lot of help."
-Darleen,
Paradise Fire Survivor.
Sacramento Diocesan Disaster Relief & Case Management
We have a well-respected qualified team that has done tremendous work with fire victims since 2014. As of April 1, 2023, our disaster team has begun working with flood victims. Saint Vincent de Paul established the Disaster Case Management program in partnership with Catholic Charities of California.
History of our Disaster Case Team
The team has provided local disaster support for many years, including the following:
Berryessa, Butte, and Trinity Fires in 2014 - 2016.
Oroville Dam Spillover in 2017 linking with local conferences to provide temporary shelter and supplies for those who were unable to stay in the homes.
The Camp Fire Disaster Case Management program began in December 2019 and wrapped up in May 2022. During that time, our staff served 1,366 clients. Obtaining over $1,500,000 in referrals and resources. The Camp Fire was the most devastating in California’s history, with 85 lives lost and 11,000 homes destroyed.
The North Complex Fire began on August 17, 2020, and burned 318,935 acres. By September 8th, the fire hurled through the mountain communities in Butte County California. The fire made national news for being the biggest and deadliest fire of 2020. It is currently the 7th largest wildfire in California’s history. SVdP Disaster Team continues to supply Disaster Case Management Services in Butte County.
Since May 2021, Saint Vincent De Paul Disaster Case Managers have been working to help survivors of the Bear Fire. As of October 31st, 2022, 981 cases have been opened with over $1,060,000 in referrals and resources received for the Bear Fire Survivors.
As of January 2022, our Disaster Team is also providing training and oversight in Placer, Lassen, Nevada and Plumas Counties.
With the recent winter storms and flood damage FEMA declared disaster areas for Sacramento and Amador Counties. In partnership with Catholic Charities, our team began work on these disasters April,1 2023.
Northern California Fire Fund
We have an ongoing "Northern California Fire Fund" as our state is plagued with fires the need is constant. Click here to Donate.
Resources & News:
Survivor Testimonials & Success Stories:
New Roof & Support for a Senior:
Last year, SVdP Disaster Case Management provided a low-income senior with $21,460 to replace her roof and address damage caused by the 2023 California Winter Storms.
After filing an insurance claim the disaster survivor was only given enough money to cover repairs for a portion of her roof. that only covered repairs for a portion of her roof. While seeking out a repair person she learned her wood shingle roof was out of code, as it was a fire hazard, and no repair person would work on the roof because of the liability. Making matters worse, she had a reverse mortgage on the home that required she address habitability issues or risk the lender taking the home.
Meanwhile, after filing the insurance claim, she was dropped from her insurance. However, because she had insurance initially, she was deemed ineligible for FEMA. Like many seniors in the community, she had little social support and survived on social security. She had no means to pay for a roof replacement.
Her disaster case manager helped her navigate finding new insurance coverage, and the program was able to secure a community grant to pay for a new roof and gutters. Meanwhile, the program’s Construction Cost Analyst was able to coordinate repairs at a price that could be covered by the grant funds.
As part of SVdP’s mission to help neighbors in need, her SVdP Disaster Case Managers SVdP staff worked closely with the homeowner to address the issues, secure resources, and pay for the roof repairs ensuring she could stay permanently housed in a safe and healthy environment.
The predicament that this homeowner faced is common of the complicated red tape and snowballing effects that disaster survivors often face.
Mold & Rental Reimbursement:
Sometimes successes have to be measured in parts. While working with a client to access additional FEMA funding to take care of mold remediation the case manager was able to help the client access $11,000 in rental reimbursement, even though the appeal for home repairs was denied.
This client had been living with mold in multiple rooms and at one point had a kiddie pool in the living room to collect water that was entering the home through a hole in the roof. He had moved himself and his children out of the home because he did not feel it was safe. Since moving the family out he had continued to pay the mortgage on the damaged home as well as rent at a new location. This was obviously a large financial strain and the client needed help navigating the appeal process as well as the process to apply for additional housing assistance.
Even though the client was unable to access additional funding as he had reached max funding for the repairs, he was able to recoup money he had been paying out of pocket for housing freeing up finances for repairs.
New Generators for Park Fire Survivors:
The Disaster Case Management team has continued its work to assist survivors of the Park Fire. On Nov. 7th generators were provided to survivors who are living in RVs on their properties. Donated gas cans & fuel were also made available. This effort took a village, we were able to help the Park Fire survivors thanks to teamwork with Tzu Chi USA & Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, Inc.
The help came just in time for cold weather, providing the ability to heat their homes and run appliances. A survivor picking up a generator for her mother said she couldn’t believe the generosity she was experiencing. “You guys are awesome,” she said, as she hugged a team member.
The Park Fire did not receive the federal declaration that would have provided financial assistance to individuals and funding towards recovery efforts, such as disaster case management. This means resources are limited for these survivors, but the team is collaborating with other disaster recovery organizations as Chairs of the Disaster Case Management Committee, an arm of the Long Term Recovery Group for the Park Fire. The collaboration has allowed organizations to come together to pool resources, manpower and experience to help survivors move forward in their recovery.
Survivor’s home was rebuilt with solar & sheds:
After a family lost their home to the Bear Fire disaster they rebuilt a new home in Berry Creek. This new home is off the grid and too small for normal storage, so St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Case Managers helped provide them with materials to set up solar on their home and they were also given two new sheds for storage. The family shares below how grateful they are to SVdP.
"We are so enjoying our "electric" lights! And using the blender, vacuum etc., that we have now thanks to your generous gift of the charge controller and battery for our solar. Here are a few pictures. The lights are so much brighter than the lights we used to use! And boy do our sheds make a tremendous difference in our lives! Our house is so tiny, we just don't have room for storage etc. The first shed is Brian's, and he has tools and generator and that kind of thing in it. I have my little laundry, summer clothes in bins, pantry food items, my painting / artists supplies, and much more in my "she shed". We are so grateful for these blessings from you. Thank you, and God bless you." - Maddie B.
Livestock Lost but Replaced:
In August, we completed work with a client that we had helped with the process of applying for assistance through USDA for livestock that was lost during the storm and for damage that the property incurred. The client is non-English speaking & her bilingual case manager played an important role in helping her communicate with USDA representatives and helping her understand the application process. The process took about 9 months & she was originally denied, but the case manager advocated for her & helped her appeal the decision. In the end she received $10,167 to fix fencing & replace livestock.
Survivor Rebuilding Home Needed Funding & Support:
In December, we received a referral from St Thomas Moore Church for a Bear Fire Survivor that was rebuilding his home on his own and was in need of some insulation and sheetrock materials. We were able to take the case to our UnMet Needs Roundtable and access $1,349 in funding so that he could purchase the materials that he needed.
After the funding was approved the case manager was advised that if the client needed any more help they could come back to the table--with that we are currently working on helping the client purchase appliances (water heater, mini split, washer, dryer and oven) so they can get their home completed with everything they need.
