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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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 2
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 3
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)
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 4
ACKNOWLEDGMENTSTheNewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessmentprovidesastatisticalandnarrativereportofthecollectiveeffortsofnon-profitorganizationsprovidingdisastercasemanagement,directclientassistance,rebuild/reconstructionservicesandvolunteersupportthroughoutNewJersey.Thisassessmentdocumentsreporteddatathroughtheendof2015withsomeupdatedandprojecteddatathroughSeptember2016.Releasedinadvanceofthefour-yearanniversaryofHurricaneSandy’shistoriclandfallonOctober29,2012,thisassessmentprovidesthefirststatewideanalysisoftheimpactofNewJerseynon-profiteffortsonoverallrecoveryfromHurricaneSandy.SpecialacknowledgmentisgiventoNewYorkDisasterInterfaithServices(NYDIS)forsharingquestionnairestheycreatedtocompilesimilardataonrecoveryeffortsinNewYorkCity.ThisassessmentcouldnothavebeencompletedwithoutthestaffandconsultantssupportingNJVOAD:KellyHiggs,DisasterRecoveryandResiliencyCoordinator,andLindaHardy,DisasterResiliencyCoordinator.NJVOADgratefullyacknowledgesthegeneroussupportofourfunders:RobertWoodJohnsonFoundationandPSEGFoundation.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 5
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 6
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 7
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 8
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 9
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 10
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 11
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 12
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 13
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 14
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 15
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)
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 16
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 17
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 18
NON-PROFITREBUILDFINDINGS
RESPONDINGNON-PROFITORGANIZATIONS
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 19
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 20
FUTURECONSIDERATIONS
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 21
VOLUNTEERENGAGEMENTFINDINGS
RESPONDINGNON-PROFITORGANIZATIONS
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 22
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.
FUTURECONSIDERATIONS
WitheachnewdisasterthatstrikestheUnitedStates,recruitmentofvolunteerworkteamstoengageinongoingrecoveryeffortsfromHurricaneSandybecomesmorechallenging.Onlythreeoftheorganizationsprovidingaresponseforthevolunteerengagementsectionhaveplanstosupportongoingvolunteeroperationsinto2017.
352,355 volunteers 3,515,322 hours of service
$93,859,097.40 in-kind labor
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 23
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
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 24
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 25
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 26
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 27
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 28
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 29
Sandyrecoveryisfarfromover,butnon-profitresourcesarediminishingrapidly.ManyofthosestillrecoveringfromSandyareLMIhouseholdsandothersinneedofadditionalsupporttofullyrecover.ResourcestosupportongoingSandyrecoveryeffortsneedtobeidentified.
v ReallocatefundingforunderutilizedSandyprogramsandservicestosupportongoingdisastercasemanagementandrebuildefforts.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 30
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.
NewJerseyNon-ProfitLongTermRecoveryAssessment 31
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