How Does Disaster Case Management Work?
Effective Disaster Case Management resolves disaster-related recovery needs and
is achieved through a series of steps. The steps are as follows:
1.
Intake & Screening: A case manager does an assessment to figure out whetherthere is a disaster-related unmet need.
2. Interview: A case manager talks with the disaster survivor to get detailed information about
the survivor, their loss, any relief and recovery support that has already been received, and what
personal resources can be applied to the loss or need.
3. Information Check: A case manager checks the information gathered during the Interview to
determine the wisest use of available funds and prevent any duplication of benefits.
4. Make a Plan: The disaster survivor is the first to develop a recovery action plan that lists goals
for how they will recover from the impact of the disaster. The case manager helps to fill in the gaps
between what the survivor is able to accomplish and what is required to steady themselves and become self-sufficient.
5. Case Presentation: After the unmet needs are identified and the interview information is verified,
the case is presented to provider agencies participating in the Long-Term Recovery Committee.
What is an Unmet Long-Term Recovery Need?
An Unmet Long-Term Recovery Need is something a survivor cannot provide for themselves.
A Long-Term Recovery Need was caused by the disaster or by stress resulting from the disaster.
It is not a pre-disaster condition or a ongoing social issue. Acceptable Long-Term Recovery
Needs might be a death, an injury, or the loss of income, housing, a vehicle or household goods
Will my situation be kept confidential?
Yes, confidentiality is as important to the Long-Term Recovery Committee and the participating
agencies as it is to you. Disclosure of certain information is requested from survivors to allow
participating agencies to verify instances of past assistance, and avoid or resolve conflicts of interest.
Who makes the decisions about my case?
Case managers empower people to move on. Survivors are responsible for making the decisions
necessary for successful healing and recovery planning. Working with case managers, survivors make
strides to accept the reality of what has happened, experience the pain of loss, adjust to a new situation,
and turn their energy, emotion and effort toward building a new future.