n j n -p l -t r a - njvoad – new jersey voluntary ... non...hurricane sandy recovery this document...

NEWJERSEYNON-PROFITLONG-TERMRECOVERY

ASSESSMENTHurricaneSandyRecovery

ThisdocumenthasbeencompiledbyNewJerseyVoluntary

OrganizationsActiveinDisaster(NJVOAD)incollaborationwithitsmembersandpartnersthroughoutNewJersey.

October28,2016

NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 1

NEWJERSEYNON-PROFITLONG-TERMRECOVERYASSESSMENT

TABLEOFCONTENTS

GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................... 2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................. 4 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 5 RESPONSEANDRECOVERYOVERVIEW ..................................................................... 9 SUMMARYOFKEYFINDINGS ................................................................................. 13 DISASTERCASEMANAGEMENTANDUNMETNEEDSFINDINGS ................................ 15 NON-PROFITREBUILDFINDINGS ............................................................................ 18 VOLUNTEERENGAGEMENTFINDINGS .................................................................... 21 RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................ 23 CLOSINGCOMMENTARY ........................................................................................ 30 APPENDIX ............................................................................................................. 31


GLOSSARY

CommunityOrganizationsActiveinDisaster(COAD)/VoluntaryOrganizationsActiveinDisaster(VOAD):acollaborativeworkinggroupthatconvenesorganizationsandagenciesforthepurposeofplanning,preparation,andrelationshipbuildinginadvanceoffuturedisasters.TheCOAD/VOADdoesnotdeliveranyservicesdirectlybutfosterscommunication,coordination,collaboration,andcooperationamonggovernmentalandlocalorganizationstoprovidethemosteffectiveservicestothecommunity.MembershipintoaCOAD(CommunityOrganizationsActiveinDisaster)isnotlimitedtovoluntary(non-profit)organizations.For-profitbusinessesandgovernmentalagenciesmayholdmembership,aswellashavevotingprivileges,andholdleadershiproles.VOADs(VoluntaryOrganizationsActiveinDisaster)typicallybringtogetherthesamepartnersasaCOAD,buttheabilitytoholdofficeandtohavevotingrightsaregenerallyrestrictedtothevoluntary(non-profit)organizations.(NJVOAD,2016)

DisasterCaseManagement(DCM):atime-limitedprocessbywhichaskilledhelper(disastercasemanager)partnerswithadisasteraffectedindividualorfamily(client)inordertoachieverealisticgoalsforrecoveryfollowingadisaster.Thiscomprehensiveandholisticapproachtorecoveryextendsbeyondprovidingrelief,providingaservice,ormeetingurgentneeds.TheDCMprocessincludesoutreachandscreening,intakeforcasemanagementservices,assessment,recoveryplanning,advocacy,monitoringprogress,andclosure.(NationalVOAD,2011)FEMA(FederalEmergencyManagementAgency):anagencyoftheUnitedStatesDepartmentofHomelandSecuritytaskedwiththefollowing:FEMA’smissionistosupportourcitizensandfirstresponderstoensurethatasanationweworktogethertobuild,sustainandimproveourcapabilitytopreparefor,protectagainst,respondto,recoverfromandmitigateallhazards.(FEMA,2016)LongTermRecoveryGroup(LTRG):acooperativebodythatismadeupofrepresentativesfromfaith-based,non-profit,government,businessandotherorganizationsworkingwithinacommunitytoassistindividualsandfamiliesastheyrecoverfromdisaster.LTRGsareasvariedintheirstructureasarethecommunitiesinwhichtheywork.Thepersonalityandoperationofeachgroupisuniqueandreflectslocalneeds,availableresources,culturaldiversity,leadershipstyle,andcommunitysupport.Nomatterhowagroupisstructuredorwhatitcallsitself—unmetneedscommittee,interfaith,organization,coalition,roundtable,partnership,coordinatingcouncil,etc.—thegoalisthesame:touniterecoveryresourceswithcommunityneedsinordertoensurethateventhemostvulnerableinthecommunityrecoverfromdisaster.(NationalVOAD,2012)NationalVOAD(VoluntaryOrganizationsActiveinDisaster):anonprofit,nonpartisanmembershiporganizationthatservesastheforumwhereorganizationsshareknowledgeandresourcesthroughoutthedisastercycle—preparation,response,recoveryandmitigation—tohelpcommunitiesprepareforandrecoverfromdisasters.TheNationalVOADcoalitionincludesover50ofthecountry’smostreputablenationalorganizations(faith-based,community-basedandothernon-governmentalorganizations)and55State/TerritoryVOADs,whichrepresent


Local/RegionalVOADsandhundredsofothermemberorganizationsthroughoutthecountry.(NationalVOAD,2016)NJVOAD(NewJerseyVoluntaryOrganizationsActiveinDisaster):NJVOAD’smissionistobringtogetherNewJerseyorganizationsactiveindisasterassistance,andtofostercooperationandcoordinationinpreparedness,response,andrecoveryinordertooffermoreeffectiveservicestopeopleandcommunitiesaffectedbydisaster.ThefoundationoftheVOAD(VoluntaryOrganizationsActiveinDisaster)movementisrelationships.VOADbuildspartnershipstoimproveoutcomesforpeopleandcommunitiesaffectedbydisastersbyfacilitatingcooperation,communication,coordinationandcollaborationamongnonprofitorganizations,community-basedgroups,governmentagenciesandfor-profitcompanies.NJVOADisastatewidepartnershipoforganizationsandentitiesthatrespondtodisasteraspartoftheiroverallmission.MembershipinVOADprovidesthebenefitofaccumulatedexpertiseoflocal,regionalandnationalpartnerstodelivermoreeffectiveandefficientresponseservices.(NJVOAD,2016)OfficeofEmergencyManagement(OEM):emergencymanagementisthemanagerialfunctionchargedwithcreatingtheframeworkwithinwhichcommunitiesreducevulnerabilitiestohazardsandcopewithdisasters.Emergencymanagementseekstopromotesafer,lessvulnerablecommunitieswiththecapacitytocopewithhazardsanddisasters.(FEMA,2016)Reconstruction,Rehabilitation,ElevationandMitigation(RREM):NewJersey’srebuildprogramutilizing$1.1billioninfederalfundstohelpeligiblehomeownersrepairorrebuildSandy-impactedhomes.TheRREMProgramprovidesgrantawardsupto$150,000totheprimaryresidencesofhomeownersintheninemostimpactedcountiesforactivitiesnecessarytorestorestorm-damagedhomes,includingreconstruction,rehabilitation,elevationand/orothermitigationactivities.TheDepartmentofCommunityAffairs(DCA)administerstheRREMProgramwithfederalfundingprovidedthroughCommunityDisasterBlockGrantDisasterRecovery(CDBG-DR)fundsallocatedtoNewJerseybytheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment(HUD).(NJDepartmentofCommunityAffairs,2013)RentalAssistanceProgram(RAP):NewJersey’srentalassistanceprogramdesignedtohelphomeownersintheRREMProgramandLMIHomeownersRebuildingProgrampaytherentfortemporaryhousingwhiletheirhomesareundergoingrepair,rebuildingorelevation.Eligiblehomeownerscanreceiveupto$825permonthforthefirstmonthandupto$1,300permonthforallsubsequentpayments.Tobeeligibleforassistance,ahomeownermusthavesignedtheirRREMgrantagreementorLMIProgramgrantagreementandmustnothavecompletedtheconstruction,rehabilitationorelevationoftheirhome.(NJDepartmentofCommunityAffairs,2016)

SandyHomeowner/RenterAssistanceProgram(SHRAP):NewJersey’stemporaryreliefprogramtoassistindividualsandfamiliesexperiencingahousingcrisisresultingfromHurricaneSandy.SHRAPwasavailabletoSandy-affectedhouseholdsinall21counties.Amaximumof$15,000intotalassistancewasavailableforhousingcosts,utilities,andessentialitems.Benefitswerelimitedtoaperiodofnolongerthansixmonths.(NJDepartmentofHumanServices,DivisionofFamilyDevelopment,2015)


ACKNOWLEDGMENTSTheNewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessmentprovidesastatisticalandnarrativereportofthecollectiveeffortsofnon-profitorganizationsprovidingdisastercasemanagement,directclientassistance,rebuild/reconstructionservicesandvolunteersupportthroughoutNewJersey.Thisassessmentdocumentsreporteddatathroughtheendof2015withsomeupdatedandprojecteddatathroughSeptember2016.Releasedinadvanceofthefour-yearanniversaryofHurricaneSandy’shistoriclandfallonOctober29,2012,thisassessmentprovidesthefirststatewideanalysisoftheimpactofNewJerseynon-profiteffortsonoverallrecoveryfromHurricaneSandy.SpecialacknowledgmentisgiventoNewYorkDisasterInterfaithServices(NYDIS)forsharingquestionnairestheycreatedtocompilesimilardataonrecoveryeffortsinNewYorkCity.ThisassessmentcouldnothavebeencompletedwithoutthestaffandconsultantssupportingNJVOAD:KellyHiggs,DisasterRecoveryandResiliencyCoordinator,andLindaHardy,DisasterResiliencyCoordinator.NJVOADgratefullyacknowledgesthegeneroussupportofourfunders:RobertWoodJohnsonFoundationandPSEGFoundation.


INTRODUCTION

HURRICANESANDY

HurricaneSandywastheeighteenthnamedtropicalcycloneofthe2012AtlantichurricaneseasonandthesecondlargestAtlantictropicalcycloneonrecord.AccordingtotheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAssociation(NOAA),SandyformedinthecentralCaribbeanonOctober22ndandintensifiedintoahurricaneasittrackednorthacrossJamaica,easternCubaandtheBahamas.SandymovednortheastoftheUnitedStatesuntilturningwesttowardthemid-AtlanticcoastonOctober28,2012.

AsstormsurgefromSandywaspushedintoNewYorkandRaritanBays,seawaterpiledupwithintheHudsonRiverandthecoastalwaterwaysandwetlandsofnortheasternNewJersey,includingNewarkBay,thePassaicandHackensackRivers,KillVanKull,andArthurKill.WaterlevelswerehighestalongthenorthernportionoftheJerseyShoreinOceanandMonmouthCounties,northofwhereSandymadelandfall.Barrierislandswerealmostcompletelyinundatedandbreachedinsomecases,duetostormsurgeandlargewavesfromtheAtlantic.TheoceanmetupwithrisingwatersfrombackbayssuchasBarnegatBayandLittleEggHarbor.TheUnitedStatesGeologicalSurvey(USGS)surveyedhigh-watermarksashighas4to5feetabovegroundlevelinlocationssuchasSeaBrightinMonmouthCountyandTuckerton,SeasidePark,andLongBeachIslandinOceanCounty.

Foracompletesummaryoftheweather-relatedaspectsofHurricaneSandy,viewtheNationalHurricaneCenterSandyTropicalCycloneReport.

OnOctober29,2012,Sandyweakenedsomewhatbeforemakinglandfallasapost-tropicalcyclonenearBrigantine,NewJerseywith70knotmaximumsustainedwinds.Becauseofitstremendoussizeandthecoincidingfullmoon,SandydroveacatastrophicstormsurgeintotheNewJerseyandNewYorkcoastlines.ThehigheststormsurgemeasuredbyaNationalOceanService(NOS)tidegaugeinNewJerseywaterswas8.57feetabovenormaltidelevelsatthenorthernendofSandyHookintheGatewayNationalRecreationArea-beforethestationfailedandstoppedreportingduringthestorm.


ASSESSMENTMETHODOLOGY

InundertakingthetaskofcompilingtheNewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment,NJVOADdevelopedthreedistinctquestionnairestocollectdataontheactivitiesofnon-profitorganizationsprovidingthefollowingservices:

v Disastercasemanagementand/orfundingunmetneeds;v Providingnon-profitrebuildservices;v Coordinatingvolunteermanagementandengagement.

TheabovequestionnairesweredistributedelectronicallytoNJVOADmemberandpartnerorganizationsandLTRGsinFebruary2016.Additionalfollow-upanddatacollectionwascompletedinsubsequentmonthsasresponsesandresearchintonon-profitfundingrevealedadditionalnon-profitcontributions.Thirty-threeorganizationsprovidedcompleteresponsesanddatatobeincludedintheassessment-manyofthemcompletingmorethanonequestionnaireinaccordancewiththerangeofservicesoffered.

Allresponseswerekeptconfidentialandthedatahasbeencompiledandpresentedinaggregateform.

Atthetimethequestionnairesweredistributed,severallong-termrecoverygroupshadceasedoperationsduetolackoffunding.Datawascompiledfrommeetingminutesandgrantreportsinordertoincludethecontributionsofthesecommunityorganizations.

DuringtheinitialthreeyearsofHurricaneSandyresponseandrecoveryefforts,non-profitandfaith-basedorganizationsprovidedroutinereportsofvolunteernumbers,hoursandimpacttoNJVOAD.NJVOADcompiledthisdataandprovidedroutineupdatesoftheimpactofvoluntaryagenciesthroughvolunteerismtostateandfederalgovernmentofficials.DataonthenumberofvolunteersengagedandtotalvolunteerhourscontributedtoSandyrecoveryeffortswaspulledfromthefinalreport,dated5/22/2015,andhasbeenincludedinthisassessment.Thisdatacomesfrom129organizationsthatdidnotcompletethevolunteermanagementandengagementquestionnaireandrepresentsuniqueandunduplicatedfigures.

Informationwascollectedandanalyzedtoensurethedatareportedinthisassessmentwascorrectandnotduplicative.Accuracyinself-reportingwasemphasizedinallcommunicationwithrespondents.Itshouldbenotedthatthenatureoftherecoveryprocessandthecollaborativecharacterofnon-profitorganizations,createdanenvironmentwhereonehouseholdmighthavereceivedservicesfrommorethanonenon-profitorganization.

Whilethisassessmentdemonstratestheimpactofacombined164organizationsonHurricaneSandyrecoveryeffortsthroughoutNewJersey,itonlycapturesafractionoftheoverallnon-profitresponsetothisdisaster.


PARTNERSANDCONTRIBUTORS

ThefollowingorganizationsprovidedinformationanddatawhichwascompiledtocompletetheNewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment:

1. AFutureWithHope,Inc.(TheUnitedMethodistChurchofGreaterNewJersey)**2. AffordableHousingAlliance3. AmericanRedCross*4. AtlanticCountyRevive/LongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofGreater

PhiladelphiaandSouthernNewJersey)**5. BaptistConventionNY-DisasterRelief(NorthAmericanMissionBoard–Southern

BaptistDisasterRelief)6. BergenCountyLong-TermRecoveryCommittee7. BrethrenDisasterMinistries(ChurchoftheBrethren)8. BuddhistTzuChiFoundation9. CapeMayCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofGreaterPhiladelphiaand

SouthernNewJersey)**10. CatholicCharities,ArchdioceseofNewark11. CatholicCharities,DioceseofCamden12. CatholicCharitiesDioceseofTrentonDisasterResponseProgram(CatholicCharities,

DioceseofTrenton)13. CatholicCharities,DioceseofMetuchen14. CoastalHabitatforHumanity15. EssexCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup16. GatewayChurchofChrist17. HabitatforHumanityinMonmouthCounty18. LSMNJDisasterRecovery(LutheranSocialMinistriesofNewJersey)19. MentalHealthAssociationinNewJersey20. MiddlesexCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup21. MonmouthCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofMonmouthCounty)*22. NewJerseyCommunityCapital23. OceanCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup24. PresbyterianDisasterAssistance(PresbyterianChurchUSA)25. PointPleasantPresbyterianChurch26. RebuildingTogetherBergenCounty,Inc.(RebuildingTogether,Inc.)27. Samaritan'sPurse28. St.BernardProjectNJ(SBPUSA)**29. TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-daySaints30. TheEpiscopalChurchinNJHurricaneSandyRecoveryProgram(TheEpiscopalChurch/

EpiscopalReliefandDevelopment)31. TheSalvationArmyNewJerseyDivision


32. UnionCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup33. WorldRenew

*Completedtwodistinctassessments.**Completedthreedistinctassessments.

Inadditiontothe33organizationslistedabove,datawasextractedfromgrantreportsandmeetingminutestoincludetheserviceoutcomesofthreeadditionalorganizationsnolongerinoperation:AtlanticCityLongTermRecoveryGroup,CumberlandCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup,andSouthwestLongTermRecoveryGroup.Asnotedinthe“AssessmentMethodology”section,volunteerdatafromanadditional129non-profitandfaith-basedorganizationshasbeenincludedtoreportthetotalunduplicatedvolunteersandhourscontributedtoHurricaneSandyrecovery.

In addition to the contributing organizations listed above, NJ 2-1-1 and many other organizations provided services that fell outside of reported activities contained in this assessment, but were equally important to supporting response and recovery efforts throughout New Jersey. In the days and weeks following Hurricane Sandy’s

arrival, tens of thousands of people called NJ 2-1-1 for information related to Sandy specific resources. Close to 200,000 web sessions

on www.nj211.org involved searches containing the word “hurricane”. NJ 2-1-1 created and maintained a Sandy Recovery

Guide which was widely used and shared. NJ 2-1-1 facilitated the intake process for people seeking Disaster Case Management

services, and they managed more than 12,000 calls in support of this statewide program. NJ 2-1-1 was also contracted by the State

to respond to inquiries for ReNew Jersey Stronger programs managed by the Department of Community Affairs, and they

facilitated more than 20,000 client calls from 2014 – 2016.


RESPONSEANDRECOVERYOVERVIEW

FEDERALSUPPORTFORINDIVIDUALSANDHOUSEHOLDS

OnOctober30,2012,PresidentBarackObamadeclaredadisasterintheStateofNewJersey.HurricaneSandywasrecordedasDR-4086inFEMA’srecords,andatotalof261,001residentsregisteredforFEMAassistance.All21countiesthroughoutNewJerseyweredeterminedeligibleforindividualassistancefromFEMA.(FEMA,2016)

• IndividualandHouseholdsProgram(IHP)providesmoneyandservicestopeopleinPresidentiallydeclareddisasterareas:

o 61,442householdswereeligibleforIHP

o $422,887,543.39wasdisbursed• HousingAssistance(HA):provides

assistancefordisaster-relatedhousingneeds:

o 55,523householdswereeligibleforHA

o $365,844,846.84wasdisbursed• OtherNeedsAssistance(ONA):provides

assistanceforotherdisaster-relatedneeds,suchasfurnishings,transportation,andmedicalneeds:

o 19,288householdswereeligibleforONA

o $57,042,696.55wasdisbursed

“During the immediate response to

Hurricane Sandy, American Red Cross volunteers in New Jersey engaged in emergency mass care and sheltering

operations valued at $20 million (above and beyond what is included in this

assessment). During a Presidentially declared disaster, the value of these

volunteer contributions can be utilized to support local government in meeting the match requirements for FEMA response and recovery public assistance (covering as much as 25% of the total assistance

provided). As a result, the contributions of American Red Cross and other non-governmental organization volunteers

provided more than just critical services to those in need. The value of their

contributions was literally credited to the communities they supported and provided

much needed savings to local governments responding to disaster.”

-The American Red Cross


ThefollowingchartprovidesacountyspecificbreakdownofthenumberofhouseholdseligibleforIHP:

NEWJERSEYSTATESUPPORTFORINDIVIDUALSANDHOUSEHOLDS

TheStateofNewJerseyappliedforandreceivedHousingandUrbanDevelopment(HUD)andCommunityDevelopmentBlockGrantDisasterRelief(CDBG-DR)federalfundingtosupportavarietyofHurricaneSandyrecoveryprograms.

Ninecountieswereidentifiedthroughgovernmentassessmenttobethemostimpacted:Atlantic,Bergen,CapeMay,Essex,Hudson,Middlesex,Monmouth,OceanandUnion.

NewJersey’sgovernmentalrebuildprogram–RREM-hasanoverallbudgetof$1,344,043,202toproviderebuildgrantsofupto$150,000foreligibleNewJerseyresidentslivinginoneoftheninemostimpactedcounties.

• Asof6/30/2016,6,798NewJerseyresidenthavesignedacontracttoreceiveaRREMconstructionaward,andconstructionhasbeencompletedon3,638RREMprojects.(NJDepartmentofCommunityAffairs,2016)

• Asof7/31/2016,theRREMprogramreportsdisbursing$439,831,293.70throughtheoriginalRREMprogramandanadditional$371,004,184.02throughasubsequentLMI(LowtoModerateIncome)program.(NJDepartmentofCommunityAffairs,2016)

• Therearenopublicreportsfoundwhichindicatethenumberofcompletedhomesfoundtobeinfullcompliance-aconditionoftheprograminordertoavoidrecoupmentoffunds.


NewJersey’stemporaryreliefprogramtoassistindividualsandfamiliesexperiencingaSandy-relatedhousingcrisis-SHRAP-hadanoverallbudgetof$109,393,444toproviderentalorotherassistanceupto$15,000foreligibleNewJerseyhouseholds.

• Asof7/31/2016,$104,072,860.17hasbeendisbursed.(NJDepartmentofHumanServices,2016)

• DatacouldnotbefoundtoindicatethenumberofhouseholdsthatreceivedSHRAPbenefits,butthedisbursementfigureaboveisfinalastheprogramhasclosed.

NewJersey’srentalassistanceprogramdesignedtohelphomeownersintheRREMProgramandLMIHomeownersRebuildingProgram–RAP–isdesignedtopayrentfortemporaryhousingwhilehomesareundergoingrepair,rebuildingorelevation.

• Asof7/31/2016,$14,780,681.49hasbeendisbursed.(NJDepartmentofHumanServices,2016)

TheStateofNewJerseycreatedandmanagedotherrecoveryprograms,buttheaboveprogramscorrelatemostcloselywiththenon-profiteffortsreportedoninthisassessment.

NON-PROFITSUPPORTFORINDIVIDUALSANDHOUSEHOLDS

ImmediatelyfollowingHurricaneSandy,countlessnon-profitorganizationsmobilizedtoassistinrelief,responseandrecoveryeffortslocally,regionallyandstatewide.ThesecollectiveeffortshaveprovidedcriticalsupporttotensofthousandsofNewJersey’smostvulnerableresidents.Asweacknowledgethefour-yearanniversaryofHurricaneSandy’sunwelcomearrivalonour

shores,lessthanadozennon-profitshavethefinancialresourcestocontinueprovidingthismuch-neededsupporttothethousandsofNewJerseyresidentswhohaveyettoreturnhome.

Thenon-profitsectorhasprovidedabroadarrayofservicestosupportSandysurvivorsthroughouttheirrecovery,includingadvocacy,education,disastercasemanagement,emotionalandspiritualcare,financialassistance,informationandreferral,legalservices,mentalhealth,moldremediation,rebuild/reconstructionservices,volunteermanagement,youthservicesandmuchmore.Thisassessmentfocusesonthedisastercasemanagement,financialassistanceand

“Mr. and Mrs. S. experienced disaster in more than one way when Hurricane Sandy damage

was paired with the loss of Mrs. S.'s job, in addition to her sister's passing. Tragedy was multiplied when Mr. S. experienced a heart attack the same day and passed away. Mrs. S. came to a Salvation Army support group

and found refuge and solace from the nightmare she was living. Support group leadership helped her with all necessary

arrangements for both funerals, and group members were present with her throughout this time. Mrs. S. continues to attend group meetings and is thankful for The Salvation

Army's support.”

-The Salvation Army


rebuildeffortsofnon-profitpartners,butthecontributionsandimpactextendfarbeyondtheseareas.

Typically,non-profitfundsandresourcesareintendedtobethedollaroflastresorttoaddresstheunmetneedsofsurvivorswhohaveexhaustedallprivatefundsandgovernmentalprogramsandlacktheresourcestorecoverontheirown.AsaresultofseveralcomplicatingfactorsthroughouttheSandyrecoveryprocess,non-profitsfoundthemselvesbeingaskedtoproviderentalassistanceandfillmanyotherfundinggapstypicallycoveredbygovernmentalrebuildprograms.

FUNDINGSANDYRECOVERY

WhenSandystruck,theworldrespondedwithkindnessandgenerosityraisingmillionstofundresponseandrecoveryefforts.Whilethereweremanysourcesoffunding,themajorityofNewJerseynon-profitorganizationsreceivedfundingfromoneormoreofthesethreeentities:AmericanRedCross,HurricaneSandyNewJerseyReliefFundandtheRobinHoodFoundation.Collectively,thesethreeentitiesinvestedjustover$100millionintorebuildingNewJerseyhomes,livesandbusinesses.Thenon-profitcommunityandSandysurvivorsoweadebtofgratitudetotheseandsomanyotherinstitutions.

v Approximately$70millionwasgrantedfromthesethreeorganizationstoNewJerseynon-profitorganizationsprovidingdisastercasemanagementservices,fundingunmetneeds,rebuildinghomesand/ormanagingvolunteers;

v Approximately50%oftheorganizationsreceivingfundingfordisastercasemanagementservices,fundingunmetneeds,rebuildinghomesand/ormanagingvolunteershaveprovideddataforthisassessment;

v Collectively,theorganizationsprovidingdataforthisassessmentreceivedapproximately$42,650,000ingrantsfromtheAmericanRedCross,HurricaneSandyNewJerseyReliefFundandtheRobinHoodFoundation.Additionalfundingcamefromavarietyofothersources.

TheDisasterPhilanthropyPlaybook,aweb-basedresourcecreatedbytheCenterforDisasterPhilanthropyandtheCouncilofNewJerseyGrantmakersinassociationwiththeForumofRegionalAssociationofGrantmakers,providesanexcellentoverviewofphilanthropicstrategiesgleanedfromlessonslearnedfundingHurricaneSandyandotherresponseandrecoveryefforts.


SUMMARYOFKEYFINDINGS

Theoverallimpactofthenon-profitcommunityonSandyrecoveryisundeniablysignificant.Non-profitorganizationsareabletoquicklymobilizeandadapttothediverseandevolvingneedsthataccompanytheeverchangingrecoverylandscape.Inadditiontotheagilitydemonstratedbynon-profits,theyhavealsodemonstratedtheabilitytoleveragefundsandutilizein-kinddonationsoftimeandresourcestomaximizetheirimpactonthedisasterresponseandrecoveryefforts.

v 29,958householdsreceivedassistancefromNewJerseynon-profitsintheformofdisastercasemanagementand/ordirectfinancialassistance.

v 3,060individualsandfamilieswereabletoreturntoasafe,secureandsanitaryhomeasaresultofreconstructionandrebuildeffortsdeliveredbyNewJerseynon-profits.

v ThecombinedtotalofdirectfinancialassistanceprovidedtoSandysurvivorsbyparticipatingnon-profitorganizationsis$116,450,676.87.

v 352,335volunteerscontributedacombinedtotalof3,515,322hoursofservicerealizingatotalsavingsvaluedat$93,859,097.40.

v In2015,morethanhalfofthenon-profitpartnerswhohadbeenprovidingdisaster

casemanagement,financialassistance,rebuild/reconstructionandvolunteermanagementservicesdiscontinuedongoingservicesandsupportspecifictoHurricane

DCM

•29,958 households assisted•$116,450,676.87 in financial support

Rebuild

•3,060 reconstruction and rebuild projects completed

Volunteers

•352,335 volunteers•$93,859,097.40 combined value


Sandysurvivors.Theprimaryreasonforthisdiscontinuationwasduetolackoffundingandresourcestocontinueprovidingtheservicesneededinaffectedcommunities.

v Only17ofthe33organizationsthatprovidedresponsesforthisassessmenthaveprovidedHurricaneSandyrecoveryservicesduring2016.Onlysixoftheseorganizationsexpecttobeprovidingrecoveryservicesin2017.(Note:twoofthesesixorganizationsareprovidingdisastercasemanagement,rebuildservicesandvolunteermanagement.)

v Allorganizationsreportedthatfundingandvolunteerlaborweretheirprimaryneeds.Thisneedisexacerbatedwitheachnewdisasterthatstrikesournation,asvolunteersandfundsaredivertedtonewandemergingneeds.

v Organizationsprovidingdisastercasemanagementand/orrebuildservicesreportedtheneedforadvocacyandeducationtoassisthomeownersinnavigatingthroughthecomplexRREMprocess.Thisiscritical,especiallywhenreachingthefinalinspectionphase,asfailuretomeetthecomplexrequirementsforfullcompliancecouldresultinmoneybeingrecoupedfromhomeowners.

v ForthefirsttwoyearsofHurricaneSandyrecoveryefforts,coordinationandcommunicationbetweentheNewJerseyDepartmentofCommunityAffairs-theagencyoverseeinghousingrebuildandotherfinancialassistanceprograms-andNewJerseynon-profitorganizationsprovidingsimilarservicesandhavingdirectknowledgeoftheneedsofsurvivors,wasvirtuallynonexistent.Communicationhasimprovedoverthelasttwoyears,butthereisvastroomforfutureimprovement,especiallywhenplanningandimplementingprograms.

v Coordinationandcollaborationamongnon-profitorganizationshasincreasedstatewideasresourceshavedwindled.Initially,eachhighlyimpactedcountyhadatleastoneLTRGinplace,andunmetneedsofsurvivorswereaddressedatthecountyorcitylevel.Overthepast18months,partnershipshavestrengthenedandorganizationswithfinancialandrebuildcapacityhavejoinedtogethertoformregionalunmetneedstables,asallbutonecountyLTRGshaveceasedtooperate.

“The Mental Health Association in New Jersey

(MHANJ) provided targeted Disaster Case Management (DCM) services in Atlantic and Ocean

counties from August of 2013 to June of 2016. Recovery Peer Outreach Support Teams (RPOST) was targeted to work with the most

vulnerable Sandy survivors – those with mental health, addiction, complex family and personal issues,

and the elderly – survivors who were unable to navigate the recovery services without more intensive

support and advocacy. Outreach and proactive engagement was a key component of the project,

continuing the most effective elements of NJ Hope and Healing – the FEMA I/R Crisis Counseling

program (lead by MHANJ). RPOST staff were local peers – defined as Sandy survivors themselves, and

individuals in personal recovery who became full DCM’s and strong client advocates.”

-The Mental Health Association in New Jersey


DISASTERCASEMANAGEMENTANDUNMETNEEDSFINDINGS

RESPONDINGNON-PROFITORGANIZATIONS

OrganizationsprovidingdisastercasemanagementservicesandfinancialassistancetosupportunmetneedsofSandysurvivorshavehadatremendousimpactonSandyrecoveryefforts.Thefollowingorganizationsprovideddatawhichisincorporatedinthissection:

1. AFutureWithHope,Inc.(TheUnitedMethodistChurchofGreaterNewJersey)2. AffordableHousingAlliance3. AmericanRedCross4. AtlanticCityLongTermRecoveryGroup5. AtlanticCountyRevive/LongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofGreater

PhiladelphiaandSouthernNewJersey)6. BergenCountyLong-TermRecoveryCommittee7. BuddhistTzuChiFoundation8. CapeMayCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofGreaterPhiladelphiaand

SouthernNewJersey)9. CatholicCharities,ArchdioceseofNewark10. CatholicCharities,DioceseofCamden11. CatholicCharities,DioceseofTrentonDisasterResponseProgram(CatholicCharities,

DioceseofTrenton)12. CatholicCharities,DioceseofMetuchen13. CoastalHabitatforHumanity14. CumberlandCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup15. EssexCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup16. GatewayChurchofChrist17. HabitatforHumanityinMonmouthCounty18. LSMNJDisasterRecovery(LutheranSocialMinistriesofNewJersey)19. MentalHealthAssociationinNewJersey20. MiddlesexCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup21. MonmouthCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofMonmouthCounty)22. NewJerseyCommunityCapital23. OceanCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup24. PointPleasantPresbyterianChurch25. RebuildingTogetherBergenCounty,Inc.(RebuildingTogether,Inc.)26. Samaritan'sPurse27. SouthwestLongTermRecoveryGroup28. St.BernardProjectNJ(SBPUSA)


29. TheEpiscopalChurchinNJHurricaneSandyRecoveryProgram(TheEpiscopalChurch/EpiscopalReliefandDevelopment)

30. TheSalvationArmyNewJerseyDivision31. UnionCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup32. WorldRenew

IMPACT

Collectively,theorganizationsincludedinthisassessmentprovideddisastercasemanagementand/ordirectfinancialassistancesupportto29,958*households.Asof12/31/2015,atotalof$116,450,676.87wasprovidedintheformofdirectfinancialassistancetodisastersurvivorsimpactedbySandy.

*Whilegreatcarewastakentoaccuratelyreporttheimpactofnon-profitorganizations,thenatureoftherecoveryprocess,andthecollaborativecharacterofnon-profitorganizationstoworkinconcerttoaddressthemyriadrecoveryneedsofhouseholdsmayresultinreportedhouseholdsbeingservedbymorethanoneorganization.

Inadditiontothefinancialassistancereportedabove,respondingorganizationsalsoreported$651,000worthofin-kinddonationswhichwerereceivedanddistributedtoSandyimpactedhouseholds.

$116,450,676.87

29,958 Households


RespondingorganizationsprovidedarangeofservicestoSandysurvivorsasdemonstratedinthetablebelow:

ServicesProvided: PercentageofRespondents:Access&FunctionalNeedsServices 23.1%Advocacy 69.2%CaseManagement 76.9%CaseWork(short-term) 61.5%Counseling 38.5%FamilyServices 15.4%FundingUnmetNeeds 92.3%MentalHealthServices 23.1%RentalAssistance 92.3%Veteran'sServices 7.7%YouthServices 15.4%

FUTURECONSIDERATIONS

Recoveryisfarfromover,especiallyinthecoastalcommunitiesmostimpactedbySandy.AccordingtothefiguresreportedforgrantsigningsintheRREMprogram,morethan3,000householdshavenotreturnedtotheirhomes.However,ongoingfundingforlong-term

recoveryanddisastercasemanagementisextremelyscarce.Onlynineoftherespondingpartnershavedisastercasemanagementorunmetneedsfundingtocontinueongoingrecoveryoperationsduring2016,andonlytwoexpecttohaveresourcesinto2017.Therespondingorganizationsprojectedtheyhadthefinancialandhumanresourcestohelpanadditional1591householdsin2016withanadditional$2,750,000ofdirectfinancialassistance.

Organizationsreportedthebiggestchallengesinongoingrecoverytobethelackoffundingavailableandinsufficientnumberofactiverecoverypartnerstocompletetheworkwhichremains.

“Jane and Don planned an idyllic retirement in a home that banked the bay in Ocean County. Unfortunately, the proximity to that gorgeous water quickly turned

disastrous when Sandy floodwaters entered and destroyed their ground-floor home. Jane and Don, who

has difficulty walking due to a chronic illness, were now faced with the daunting task of rebuilding and

elevating. They were at their wits end before coming to OCLTRG and meeting with our Disaster Case

Managers. After several months, OCLTRG was able to help Don and Jane acquire the funding necessary to return home. Now, their home is elevated, Don has a lift that helps him inside and their retirement finally

looks bright again!”

-Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group


NON-PROFITREBUILDFINDINGS


OrganizationsprovidingrebuildandreconstructionserviceshavemetacriticalneedforSandysurvivorswithouttheresourcestorecoverontheirown.Thefollowingorganizationsprovideddatawhichisincorporatedinthissection:

1. AFutureWithHope,Inc.(TheUnitedMethodistChurchofGreaterNewJersey)2. AffordableHousingAlliance3. AtlanticCountyRevive/LongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofGreater

PhiladelphiaandSouthernNewJersey)4. BaptistConventionNY-DisasterRelief(NorthAmericanMissionBoard–Southern

BaptistDisasterRelief)5. BergenCountyLong-TermRecoveryCommittee6. BrethrenDisasterMinistries(ChurchoftheBrethren)7. CapeMayCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofGreaterPhiladelphiaand

SouthernNewJersey)8. CatholicCharities,DioceseofCamden9. CoastalHabitatforHumanity10. GatewayChurchofChrist11. HabitatforHumanityinMonmouthCounty12. MiddlesexCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup13. MonmouthCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofMonmouthCounty)14. RebuildingTogetherBergenCounty,Inc.(RebuildingTogether,Inc.)15. Samaritan'sPurse16. St.BernardProjectNJ(SBPUSA)17. UnionCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup

Collectively,theorganizationsincludedinthisassessmentcompletedtheconstructionrequiredfor3,060individualsandfamiliestoreturntoasafe,secureandsanitaryhome.

IMPACT


Respondingorganizationsprovidedavarietyofconstructionandrebuildservicesasindicatedbelow:

Alloftherespondingorganizationsutilizedvolunteerlabortosupportrebuildeffortswithvolunteerscomingfromanumberofdifferentsources,including:

v AmeriCorps/FEMACorps/NCCCv AFutureWithHope v BrethrenDisasterServices v ChristianPublicService(Mennonite)v EpiscopalRelief&Developmentv JerseyCares v LutheranSocialMinistries v PresbyterianDisasterAssistance v SouthernBaptistsv UnitedWayv WorldRenew



TherearenostatewidefiguresmeasuringhowmanypeopleweredisplacedfromtheirhomesfollowingHurricaneSandy’sarrival.FEMAprovidedHousingAssistanceto55,523householdsandmorethan12,000peopleappliedforassistancethroughNewJersey’sRREMprogram.Asindicatedpreviously,ongoingfundingforlong-termrecoveryisextremelyscarce.OnlyfourofNJVOAD’srebuildpartnerswhocompletedquestionnairesfortheassessmenthavefundingtocontinueongoingrecoveryoperationsduring2016,andonlythreeexpecttohaveresourcesinto2017.Therespondingrebuildorganizationsprojectedtheyhadthefinancialandhumanresourcestocompleteanadditional181housingprojectsin2016.

Organizationsreportedthebiggestchallengesinongoingrecoverytobethelackoffundingavailableandinsufficientnumberofactiverecoverypartnerstocompletetheworkwhichremains.Additionally,theneedforadvocacyandeducationtoassisthomeownersinnavigatingthroughthecomplexRREMprocessremainsanongoingrecoveryneed.

“A Future With Hope has supported Sandy recovery through our case

management and repair/rebuild program, using volunteers to drive down construction costs. Case managers with LTRGs from Bergen to Cape May also

connected their existing homeowner cases with our volunteer-driven construction service. We also provided work sites for volunteers from

organizations including Lutheran Disaster Ministries, World renew and the Mennonites’ Christian Public Service. This sharing of responsibility allowed

collaborating recovery agencies to provide consistent and sustained service to Sandy families. A Future With Hope also cooperated with other recovery

agencies to provide direct client assistance through unmet needs tables. By the second year of recovery more complicated cases requiring more time and

funding demanded attention. Families whose homes had mold damage, needed to be raised or demolished and replaced with new modular home builds were

often overwhelmed by that complexity. Partnering with LTRG and other recovery agencies allowed us to serve these clients, and we are proud to have

developed practices that have expanded Sandy recovery to a few more families. With the busiest and most straightforward part of recovery in the

past, we are focused on providing hope to those who still need it.”

-A Future With Hope


VOLUNTEERENGAGEMENTFINDINGS


Organizationsprovidingvolunteerengagement,housingandmanagementserviceshaveinfusedtheStateofNewJerseywithenthusiastic,skilled,freelabortosupportresponseandrecoveryefforts.Thefollowingorganizationsprovideddatawhichisincorporatedinthissection:

1. AFutureWithHope,Inc.(TheUnitedMethodistChurchofGreaterNewJersey)2. AmericanRedCross3. AtlanticCountyRevive/LongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofGreater

PhiladelphiaandSouthernNewJersey)4. BaptistConventionNY-DisasterRelief(NorthAmericanMissionBoard–Southern

BaptistDisasterRelief)5. BrethrenDisasterMinistries(ChurchoftheBrethren)6. BuddhistTzuChiFoundation7. CapeMayCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofGreaterPhiladelphiaand

SouthernNewJersey)**8. CoastalHabitatforHumanity9. GatewayChurchofChrist10. HabitatforHumanityinMonmouthCounty11. LSMNJDisasterRecovery(LutheranSocialMinistriesofNewJersey)12. MonmouthCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup(UnitedWayofMonmouthCounty)*13. OceanCountyLongTermRecoveryGroup14. PresbyterianDisasterAssistance(PresbyterianChurchUSA)15. PointPleasantPresbyterianChurch16. Samaritan'sPurse17. St.BernardProjectNJ(SBPUSA)18. TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-daySaints19. WorldRenew

Volunteerdatafromanadditional129non-profitandfaith-basedorganizationshasbeenincludedtoreportthetotalunduplicatedvolunteersandhourscontributedtoHurricaneSandyrecovery.


IMPACT

Collectively,theorganizationsincludedinthisassessmentprovidedvolunteermanagementandengagementtosupportatotalof352,335volunteers.Thesevolunteerscontributedacombinedtotalof3,515,322hoursofservice.Thevalueofthisserviceis$93,859,097.40,utilizingtherateof$26.70/hourbasedonthe2015averagewageofallproductionandnon-supervisoryworkersasreportedbytheBureauofLaborStatistics.(IndependentSector,2016)

Respondingnon-profitorganizationsreportedprovidingthefollowingservicesandsupportstovolunteers:

VolunteerServicesandSupports: PercentageofRespondingOrganizationsMeals 45.5%ShowerTrailers 27.3%VolunteerHousing/Hosting 45.5%VolunteerConstructionTraining 18.2%VolunteerManagement 81.8%VolunteerOutreach-Local 54.5%VolunteerOutreach-National 54.5%VolunteerPlacement 63.6%VolunteerSafetyTraining 18.2%VolunteerScreening 36.4%VolunteerSiteSupervision 45.5%VolunteerTransportation 9.1%

Safetyandtrainingofvolunteerswasandisapriority.Respondingorganizationsreportedinvesting$196,196.00inprovidingtrainingtoensurethesafetyofvolunteers.


WitheachnewdisasterthatstrikestheUnitedStates,recruitmentofvolunteerworkteamstoengageinongoingrecoveryeffortsfromHurricaneSandybecomesmorechallenging.Onlythreeoftheorganizationsprovidingaresponseforthevolunteerengagementsectionhaveplanstosupportongoingvolunteeroperationsinto2017.

352,355 volunteers 3,515,322 hours of service

$93,859,097.40 in-kind labor


RECOMMENDATIONSOnOctober22,2015,NJVOADconvenedmorethan80membersandpartnerstoengageina“CalltoCollaboration”eventtoanswerthisquestion:howcanweharnessthebestlearningfromourongoingrecoveryeffortsinordertoimplementthoseinnovativepracticesinthefuture?Thisgatheringbegananongoingdialogueamongnon-profitpartnerstoaddresslessonslearnedwhichwerebroughttolightthroughthisdayofdiscussion.Feedbackfromthisdialogueandinsightsfromthequestionnaireresponseshavebeencombinedtooffertherecommendationsthroughoutthissection.

NON-PROFITOBSERVATIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONS:

Almostfouryearspost-Sandy,theneedforsupportfaroutweighsthenon-profitresourceswhichremaininplacetomeetthatneed.Thisisnotduetolackofdesireonthepartofnon-profits,buttolackoffundinganddonatedresources,includingvolunteers.TherearealimitednumberofDisasterCaseManagersandnon-profitbuilderswhoarecontinuingtoworkwithsomeofthemostchallengingSandy-recoverycases.Thesecasesprimarilyfallintotwocategories:low-incomehouseholdswithlimitedmeansforrecoveryandmoderateincomehouseholdsthatencounteredseveralchallengesnavigatingthecomplicatedroadtorecovery.Manyofthesehouseholdsbeganrecoveryworkintheirhomebeforedocumentingthedamage,andtheyhavenotbeenabletoprovidesufficientproofofdamagetoreceivethefundstheyshouldbeentitledtoreceivethroughtheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram(NFIP).Otherssignedcontractstheycouldnotaffordorhireddisreputablecontractorstocompleterecoverywork.

v Developearlyeducationandoutreachtoimpactedhouseholdswhichexplainstheimportanceofdocumentingdamagepriortocompletinganyworkaswellasgeneralguidanceonhiringacontractor.Ofequalimportanceisthedevelopmentofacoordinatedplantodistributethisinformationwidelyinthedaysfollowingadisaster.

v Buildandstrengthenpartnershipswiththephilanthropiccommunityandadvocateforfundingallocationdecisionswhichsustaintruelong-termrecoveryeffortsinthewakeofamajordisaster.

Attimes,competitionforfundinginterferedwithbuildingcollaborativepartnershipstoservethebestinterestsofHurricaneSandysurvivors.Asfundingandresourceshavediminished,greaterpartnershipshavedeveloped,leadingtoamoreeffectiveutilizationofresources.Thenon-profitsectorshouldseekopportunitiestoworkmorecollaborativelytomeettheneedsoffuturedisastersurvivors.

v Developadiverse,multi-agencycoalitionofdisastercasemanagementproviderstoaddressthemyriadneedsofdisastersurvivorsandtoincludeexpertiseinthefollowingareas:accessandfunctionalneeds/disabilities,aging,drugandalcoholaddiction,financialmanagement,mentalhealthandveterans’services.Createa


consensusamongparticipatingorganizationsregardingrolesandresponsibilitieswhichalloweachparticipatingorganizationtofocusontheirstrengthsinservicedelivery.DevelopaplantosubmitajointapplicationforfutureDisasterCaseManagementProgramgrants.

v Workcollaborativelyamongdisastercasemanagementproviderstodevelopacommonintakeformandprocess,whichcanbeutilizedtodeterminethestrategicassignmentofcasesforshort-termserviceand/ordisastercasemanagementprovisionofservicesbasedupondemographicsandreportedneeds.

v Maintainandexpandthepartnershipsdevelopedinthenon-profitbuildersgroup,whichcurrentlyconsistsofkeyorganizationswithongoingfundingandresourcesforSandyrecoveryprojects.

v Seekopportunitiestosharevolunteers,especiallyduringresponseandshort-termrecovery.

Throughouttheresponseandrecoveryefforts,reliabledataregardingthetrueimpactofHurricaneSandyhasbeensignificantlylacking.Therearenoreliablefigurestoquantifythenumberofdisplacedhouseholdsorthecurrentneedswhichremain.

v Developastandardizedsystemforcollectionandmanagementofkeydatapoints,whichwillprovideanaccuratepictureoftruerecoveryneedsinfuturedisasters.

v Promotegreatertransparencyandaccountabilityamongrespondingorganizations.

TwelveofthefourteenHurricaneSandyLTRGswereformedatthecountylevel,oneservedtwoadjoiningcountiesandanotherservedasinglemunicipality.Historically,LTRGshavenotreceiveddirectfunding,buthaveconvenedpartnerswithfundsandresourcesinsupportofcommunityrecovery.Manyphilanthropicorganizationswerereticenttofund14differentLTRGs,andnon-profitswithfinancialresourcesforunmetneedsofsurvivorsfacedchallengesinparticipatingin14differentunmetneedstables.Adeterminationofhowtobestserveimpactedcommunitiesinfuturedisastersmustbeconsidered.

v EstablishregionalLTRGsand/orregionalunmetneedstablestomaximizethefinancialresourcesavailabletosupportdirectsurvivorassistanceandminimizeduplicationinorganizationaloverhead,staffingandotherexpenses.

v EducatecountyCOADs/VOADsregardingestablishingvoluntary-basedLTRGswithmemberorganizationsthatprovidefinancialresourcesandservices,asfuturedisasterswillnotlikelybeaccompaniedwiththeleveloffundingandsupportexperiencedinSandy.

AsnaturaldisastersoccurwithgreaterfrequencyintheUnitedStateandabroad,NewJerseynon-profitsmustbuildgreaterstrengthandcapacitytoaddresslocal,regionalandstatewidedisasterresponseandrecoveryefforts.

v CultivateinternalexpertisewithinNJVOADmemberandpartnerorganizationstomeetpost-disastertrainingandrecoverysupportneeds.


v Conductregularmulti-organizationaltrainingsandexercisestopracticeplans,identifygapsinserviceprovision,clarifyrolestoavoidduplicationofeffortsandimproveoverallpreparednessandresiliencywithinthenon-profitsector.

FEDERALANDNEWJERSEYSTATEGOVERNMENTOBSERVATIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONS:

OneofthebiggestchallengesfacedbyNewJerseySandysurvivorsandnon-profitorganizationssupportingrecoveryworkhasbeenthelackofcoordinationandcontinuityinthedevelopmentandimplementationofstate-managedprogramsutilizingCommunityDevelopmentBlockGrantDisasterRecovery(CDBG-DR)andSocialServicesBlockGrant(SSBG)funds.Forinstance,RREM,aprogramdesignedtorepair,rebuildand/orelevatehomes,wasdevelopedwithoutconsiderationoffundingforrentalassistance.Rentalassistancehasbeenprovidedthroughotherfederalandstateprograms,butthecoordinationandtimingoftheseprogramshasleftsignificantgaps:

Mosthouseholdsexperienceda6–12-monthgapinrentalassistancesupportfrom2014–2015.Non-profitfundingisintendedtobethedollaroflastresorttoaddressunmetneeds.However,theabovetimelineleftmanydisplacedhomeownersturningtothenon-profitcommunitytocovertheirrentforextendedperiodsoftime.Millionsofnon-profitdonateddollarswereexpendedonrentalassistancesothatSandysurvivorscouldmaintainmortgagesontheiruninhabitablehomes.

FEMA HA

Up to 18 months of rental assistance (or

until maximum grant was awarded)

Available to eligible households through winter/early spring

2014 (final payments in April 2014)

SHRAPUp to six months of rental assistance or

other household expenses up to

$15,000

Launched in November 2013 with

many exhausting benefits by summer/

early fall 2014

RAPUp to 21 months of rental assistance

($825 1st month & $1200 subsequent

months)

First payments in May 2015 and

extended to cover up to 24 months.


Throughouttherecoveryprocess,therehavebeenconflictingtimelinesbetweenthenon-profitandgovernmentsectors.Currently,non-profitbuilderresourcesareextremelylimitedandsteadilydeclining,whiletheRREMprogramisjustbeginningtomovetotheconstructionphaseoncontractswithLMIhouseholds.LMIhouseholdscanpresentsomeofthemostchallengingrecoverycasesandoftenhaveneedsbeyondwhattheRREMprogramwillcover.Non-profitresourcesmaynotbeavailabletoassistthosewhotrulyneedsupport.

v Streamlinethesequenceofdeliveryandorganizeanuninterruptedstreamofgovernmentalprogramstoprovidethenecessaryresourcesforrecovery.Coordinatethetimingandintroductionofprogramsbetweenfederalandstateprograms,andprovideadvancecommunicationaboutplannedprogramstonon-profitserviceproviders.

v TheJointFieldOffice(JFO)modelisaninspiredstructuredesignedtoenhancecommunicationandcoordinationbetweenfederalandstateentitiesindisasterresponseandrecovery.BetterintegratestaffingoftheJFOtoincludestatedecisionmakersresponsibleforthedevelopmentandimplementationofrecoveryprogramsinordertominimizeduplicationofeffortsandmaximizeunderstanding,communicationandintegrationofgovernmentalprograms.

v Offergrantsorotherdirectfinancialsupportfordisastercasemanagementandnon-profitrebuildorganizationssupportingdisasteraffectedhouseholds,asvolunteerlaborandin-kinddonationsresultinultimatesavingstothehomeownerandprogram.

v EstablishaDisasterRecoveryCommitteewithafocusonplanningforfuturedisasterresponseandrecoveryneeds.Includekeyleadersfromstateagenciesoverseeingrecoveryprograms,NJVOADorganizationsandFEMARegionII.Convenemeetingsregularlytoensureongoingplanningandrelationshipbuildingamongkeymembersinvolvedinresponseandrecoveryefforts.

NJVOADandmanynon-profitpartnershaveforgedrelationshipswiththeNewJerseyDepartmentofCommunityAffairs(NJDCA),theagencywithresponsibilityfordevelopmentandimplementationofRREMandmanyotherrecoveryprograms.Aftersomeinitialresistance,thecurrentleadershipopeneduptohearingfeedbackfromthenon-profitcommunityandmakingmodestadjustmentstoprograms,suchasallowingdisastercasemanagers(withwrittenconsent)totalkwiththeHousingAdvisorsandProjectManagerswhoaremanagingRREMcases.However,thesesmallconcessionsdon’tbegintofillthetremendousgapthatexistsinhowtheseprogramsaredesignedandintegratedintothedisasterrecoveryframework.NJDCAhasheldpublichearingsonhowtheyarespendingthebillionsofCDBG-DRfundstheyhavereceived,butthefeedbackprovidedbynon-profitorganizationsandcommunitymembershasnotresultedinanyprogrammaticchangesofnote.Attemptstoadvocatewithstateandfederalentitiestoaddressthisandotherdeficiencieswerenotproductiveaseachheldtheotheraccountableforanyroadblockstoprogress.Transparencyinregardtothedevelopment,implementationanddocumentationofprogrameffectivenessiscritical.Evenwelldesignedandexecutedstateandfederalrecoveryprogramsweredifficulttoplanforandaroundduetodelayednotificationofextensionsandlackofsufficientnoticewhenprogramsended.


v Stateagenciesanddepartmentsresponsiblefordevelopingrecoveryplansshoulddevelopandimplementstrongercitizenactionplanswhichinviteinputandinvolvementofdisastersurvivorsandrecoveryentitiesbeforeandduringformationofdisasterrecoveryactionplansandaccompanyingprograms.

v Createbettersharingofdatarelatedtopast,presentandprojectedgovernment-supportedrecoveryefforts.Bycontinuingtoworkpredominantlyindependentlyofgovernment-fundedrecoveryprograms,non-profitrecoveryorganizationsarebarredfromafullunderstandingoftheneedsofhouseholdsenrolledinstaterecoveryprograms.Moretransparencyandinformation-sharingisnecessarytobetterstreamlinesupportofdisasteraffectedhomeownersandpotentiallyaccessabroaderrangeoffinancialopportunitiesandotherresourcesforaffectedhouseholds.

v Improvecommunicationandunderstandingofrolesandresponsibilitiesbetweenstateentitiesimplementingprogramsandfederalentitiesprovidingfundingtoprovidegreateraccountabilityandopennessforpositivedialogueandconstructivefeedbacktobeheard.

v Improvecommunicationaboutenddatesofprogramsandservicesandprovideadvancenoticeofextensionstoallowforadequatestaffretentionand/ortransitionplanning.

v Wheneverpossible,embedresourceswithinnon-profitorganizationstoaidintransitioningservicesfromgovernmentledtocommunityledprograms.

CROSS-SECTOROBSERVATIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONS:

Therehavebeenmanyafteractionreportsandopportunitiesforpost-Sandyreflection,butlittlehasbeendonetobringtogetherpartiesacrosssectorstoshareexperiencesandworktogethertoimplementpositivechangetowardfutureplanning,increasedtransparencyandimprovedresiliency.Anexampleofwhythistypeofcross-sectordialogueandcollaborationisnecessarycomesfromnon-profitserviceproviders.Severalnon-profitrecoveryorganizationshiredhundredsofadditionalstafffortime-limitedperiodstoprovidecriticalpost-disasterservices(e.g.DisasterCaseManagementPrograms,HopeandHealing)andarenowexperiencinglong-termconsequencesfollowingthisshort-termpost-disasterstaffing.Whenthoseprogramsendedandthestaffinglevelswerereduced,theunemploymentratesoftheseorganizationsincreasedexponentially.TheMentalHealthAssociationofNewJerseyreportedincreasedliabilityofmorethan$80,000annuallyforatleastathree-yearperiod.Thispresentsatremendousburdentonon-profitsandhasthepotentialtonegativelyimpactcoreservicesand/oranabilitytoprovidefuturedisasterservices.

v GatherrecoveryleaderswitharoleinsupportingSandyresponseandrecoveryforacollaborativediscussionaboutlessonslearnedfromSandy.Brainstormcollaborative,cross-sectorsolutionstochallengingproblems,anddevelopastrategyforongoingengagementofkeypartnerstoimplementsolutions.StrengthenrelationshipsthroughfosteringthefourCs:cooperation,communication,coordination,andcollaboration.


MuchoftheresponseandinitialrecoveryeffortsforHurricaneSandyrelieduponnationalresourcestoprovidetheknowledgeandcapacityneededtoplanforlong-termrecovery.Disasterrecoverybeginsandendslocally,andsignificanteffortsneedtobemadetostrengthenthecapacityoflocal,county,regionalandstatewideresourcestoeffectivelyrespondtoandrecoverfromfuturedisasters.

v InvestinexpandingandstrengtheningthecountyandregionalstructureofCOADs/VOADstoincludeadiversegroupofnon-profit,faith-based,service,privatesector,governmentalandotherorganizations.Developoridentifytrainingandresourcesinkeyareaswhichwillsupportawholecommunityapproachtorecovery,andimplementatrainingprogramtoincludethefollowing:continuityofoperationsplanning,disastercasemanagement,donationsmanagement,incidentcommandsystem,LTRGoperations,mentalhealthfirstaid,multi-agencyresourcecenter(MARC)implementation,volunteermanagement,etc.

v StrengthenconnectionsbetweenmunicipalandcountyOEMcoordinatorsandcountyandregionalCOADs/VOADstodeveloptherelationshipandunderstandingneededtosupportwholecommunityapproachestoresponseandrecoveryefforts.

Sandysurvivorsexperiencedissuessurroundingcontractorincompetenceandfraudwhileattemptingtoself-recoverorwhilerebuildingutilizingRREMfunds.Additionally,moldremediationhasbeenaneedforthousandsofSandy-affectedhomeowners,butthereisnoformalguidanceorstandardstoensurethatmoldremediationeffortsresultineradication.Asaresult,manyhomeownersexperiencedmoldreturningafterrebuildingoccurredandhadnoformofrecourse.

v Provideearlyeducationandadvocacysupportforimpactedhouseholds.v Developasystemtovetcontractorsandprovideapublicportalforaffected

homeownerstoselectfromapprovedcontractors.v Developstatewidemoldremediationstandardswhichprovideforasystemofchecks

andbalancestopromotecompleteeradicationofmold.

ThereisatremendousgapininformationbetweenFEMAdata,NewJerseystatedataandnon-profitdata.Asaresult,thereisnoclearuniversalpictureofthetrueimpactorneedsresultingfromHurricaneSandy.Thereisalsoatremendousgapincommunicatingavailableprogramsandservicestothepublic.

v Developacollaborative,cross-sectorsystemtocollectandmanagedatatoidentifytheneedsasreportedacrossmultiplesectorsandagencies:FEMA,sheltering(non-profitandCountyOEM),preliminarydamageassessments(FEMA,OEMandnon-profit),insuranceproviders(notjustNFIP),disastercasemanagement,etc.

v Createajointinformationcenterthatwouldincludegovernment,non-profits,media,etc.Meetduringnon-emergencytimestodevelopastrategyfordisseminationofcriticalinformationtodisastersurvivors.


Sandyrecoveryisfarfromover,butnon-profitresourcesarediminishingrapidly.ManyofthosestillrecoveringfromSandyareLMIhouseholdsandothersinneedofadditionalsupporttofullyrecover.ResourcestosupportongoingSandyrecoveryeffortsneedtobeidentified.

v ReallocatefundingforunderutilizedSandyprogramsandservicestosupportongoingdisastercasemanagementandrebuildefforts.


CLOSINGCOMMENTARY

ThefoundationoftheVOADmovementisrelationshipsbuiltuponthefourpillarsofcooperation,communication,coordinationandcollaboration–thefourCs.ThesepartnershipshavethepowertotransformthelandscapeofresponseandrecoveryeffortsthroughoutNewJerseyifweworktogetheracrossthevarioussectorsinvolvedindisasterresponseandrecoverytofillgaps,resolvedeficienciesandprepareforourstate’sfuture.

Onenotableexampleofasuccessfulcross-sectorcollaborationistheimplementationofHELPNJNOW.ORG–adynamic,interactive,web-basedresourceprovidingeducation,direction,informationandtoolsforpeopletohelpthemselvesandothersinadisaster.ThissitewasdevelopedbyNJVOAD,theNewJerseyGovernor’sOfficeofVolunteerismandtheNJOEM,withfundingfromtheRobertWoodJohnsonFoundationandPSEGFoundation,toaddressidentifieddeficienciesinresponseandrecoveryefforts.WhenSandystruck,thestructureandsystemswerenotsufficienttomanagetheoutpouringofpeoplewhowantedtohelp,andtherewasnomechanismtoaccuratelyandconsistentlycommunicatetheneedsofaffectedcommunities.Asaresult,secondarydisastersensuedwithunaffiliatedvolunteersaddingtothechaosandvaluableresourcesbeingspenttryingtostoreandmanagedonateditemsthatwerenotrequestedorneeded.HELPNJNOW.ORGprovidesinformationandeducationduringnon-disasterperiods,includingpreparednessresourcesandlinkstoreceivevolunteertrainingtobeabletobestsupportfuturedisasters.WhenNewJerseyexperiencesamajordisasterinthefuture,thesitewillprovideavirtualvolunteerreceptioncenterforpeoplewhowanttohelp,combinedwithmessagingaboutpatienceandwhatnottodo.Thesitewillalsoopenaportalformanagingmaterialdonationoffersandpublicmessagingofneeds.Directionandguidanceforthoseinneedofhelpandsupportwillbeoffered,aswellaslinkstolocalnon-profitorganizationsacceptingdonationsfordisasterresponseandrecoveryefforts.

Inspiteofthechallengesbeingfacedbyrespondingnon-profits,100%oftheorganizationssurveyedplantoprovideresponseandrecoveryservicesforfuturedisastersimpactingNewJersey.NJVOADandourmembersandpartnersarecommittedtoworkingwithourpublicandprivatesectorpartnerstobepartofthesolutioninimplementinglessonslearnedfromSandyandpreparingourcommunitiestoweatherwhateverstormsmightlieahead.


APPENDIX

NationalHurricaneCenterSandyTropicalCycloneReport-http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL182012_Sandy.pdf

2015HurricaneSandyVoluntaryRebuildEnvironment–NewYorkCityLongTermRecoveryAssessment:http://www.nydis.org/nydis/nydisnet/2015/download/2015_Hurricane_Sandy_Voluntary_Rebuild_Environment-NYC_Long_Term_Recovery_Assessment_FINAL.pdf

FEMANewJerseyHurricaneSandyDR4068-https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086

DisasterPhilanthropyPlaybook-http://disasterplaybook.org

AmericanRedCross–HurricaneSandyResponse:http://www.redcross.org/donations/your-donation-impacts-lives/where-your-money-goes/sandy-response#Response

HurricaneSandyNewJerseyReliefFundFinalReport:http://sandynjrelieffund.org/final_reports.html

RobinHoodFoundation–DistributingtheSandyReliefFund:https://www.robinhood.org/sandygrants

NationalVOAD–ToolsforStateVOADstoPrepareforDisasterCaseManagement:http://mhyiy252svc3dxfu11iackq1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tools_for_state_voads_to_prepare_for_dcm_-_draft_-_2012.pdf

n j n -p l -t r a - njvoad – new jersey voluntary ... non...hurricane sandy recovery this document...

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