SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has awarded The Disaster Services Corporation – Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA the contract for ODHS’s Disaster Case Management Program; this program provides funding and assistance to help survivors of the September 2020 wildfires connect with services and resources to support them on their path to full recovery.
Disaster Services Corp. will partner with and oversee the efforts of three community-based organizations — Catholic Charities of Oregon, Santiam Hospital and Glide Revitalization — to aid the state’s 2020 wildfire survivors. Disaster case managers will serve as a single point of contact to assist in addressing survivors’ unmet disaster-related needs, such as document recovery; navigating eligibility for various programs; finding interim and permanent housing along with household supplies and furniture; and accessing counseling and job search support.
“With more than 4,000 homes destroyed in September, it’s not surprising that many Oregonians’ lives remain disrupted,” said ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht. “Case managers are essential to help survivors connect with needed services and resources to support them on the path to full recovery.”
“Connecting survivors to state and local resources is a vital role for disaster case management,” said Ed Flick, ODHS director of emergency management. “The combination of Disaster Services Corporation’s expertise with the on-the-ground connections and experience of the three sub-contractors ensures a quick adoption of this important program,” said Flick.
“The Disaster Case Managers will work together with survivors to develop individualized recovery plans and help find resources and referrals for unmet needs,” stated Elizbeth Disco-Shearer, CEO of Disaster Services Corporation, SVDP-USA. “We will work to provide a comprehensive and holistic community-based approach to long-term recovery.”
“We are pleased to be working with the ODHS and St. Vincent de Paul to develop a robust and responsive community-based infrastructure to serve disaster survivors in Oregon,” said Deacon Rick Birkel, Ph.D., Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Oregon. “We bring a commitment to serve each and every survivor as our neighbor, and every community as our own.”
“Glide Revitalization is honored by this amazing opportunity to work with St. Vincent de Paul to better help Archie Creek Fire survivors in their recovery. Collectively, we’ll be able to reach more people in a while making a difference. With these disaster case management staff, we’ll be able to do amazing things,” said Alison Doty, executive director of Glide Revitalization.
“Santiam Service Integration Disaster Management Team is honored and grateful to be working side by side with the survivors of the Santiam Canyon Fire. We are excited to enhance our services through our partnership with ODHS and St. Vincent’s Disaster Services Corporation,” said Maggie Hudson, President and CEO of Santiam Hospital. “Our team remains committed to providing ongoing support to our community through disaster case management. This award will allow us to continue to advocate at a local, state and federal level.”
In March 2021, FEMA granted $6.3 million to the state of Oregon for the Disaster Case Management program; under the contract, $6 million is available to Disaster Services Corp., with the remainder reserved for grant management and support functions. The contract runs through September 2022. Disaster Case Management will be open to all Oregon residents impacted by the September 2020 wildfires, regardless of whether they are registered with FEMA.
About ODHS’s role: Oregon’s emergency and recovery plans give ODHS responsibility to support impacted Oregonians during emergencies and recovery, at the request of and in partnership with local and tribal governments. This is in keeping with the agency’s primary role to assist people in meeting their basic needs while moving toward independence. ODHS is responsible for supporting the sheltering, feeding, emergency assistance and human services needs of people impacted by disasters. In this role, ODHS coordinates efforts among local and Tribal governments and nongovernmental organizations.
About The Disaster Services Corporation – Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA: The Disaster Services Corporation – Society of St Vincent de Paul USA is a Catholic lay organization that helps people in situational poverty brought about by natural and manmade disasters. It is a subsidiary corporation of the National Council of the United States, Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVDP). SVDP has provided disaster relief since its founding in Paris, France, in 1833. www.svdpdisaster.org
About Catholic Charities: Since 1933, Catholic Charities of Oregon has been a trusted ally of the most poor and marginalized and a leader in finding innovative solutions to poverty and injustice. The agency is proud to serve all God’s children as the Official Domestic Relief Agency of the Catholic Church in Oregon. Catholic Charities of Oregon is a member of Catholic Charities USA and of Caritas International, a global network of agencies that makes up the charitable arm of the worldwide Catholic Church. The agency is headquartered in Portland at 2740 SE Powell Blvd. For more information call 503-231-4866 or visit www.catholiccharitiesoregon.org
About Glide Revitalization: Glide Revitalization is a non-profit organization based in Glide, Oregon. It began in 2014 as a movement to draw more visitors to the community of Glide. Its mission took a drastic turn following the Archie Creek Fire in September 2020: Glide Revitalization became the hub for organizing resources and responding to the needs of local wildfire survivors. https://gliderev.com/
About Santiam Service Integration: A program of Santiam Hospital, Santiam Service Integration serves the surrounding communities of the Cascade, Santiam Canyon and North Santiam School District catchment areas. Since its creation in 2017, it has a proven record of meeting the socio-economic needs of these communities. Santiam Service Integration pivoted to encompass the needs created from the 2020 wildfires. Within the last 10 months, it has refined its operations and has been crucial in getting households into long-term housing solutions and connected to local, state and federal resources. It is a leader in the canyon providing disaster case management. Additionally, it has been a refuge for those traumatized by the wildfires and has helped survivors gain access to mental health and other available supports.