Disaster Case Management

Thank you for visiting the LA Region Long Term Recovery Group website to learn more about our Disaster Case Management services. We are honored to be working with so many of the resilient community members impacted by the Woolsey Fire on their individual journeys to recovery.

The recovery process is a long road which extends all the way through repairing or rebuilding and ultimately to achieving recovery goals and finding a “new normal.” As the official Los Angeles Region Long Term Recovery Group, we are here to support those community members who are struggling with their recovery.

What is Disaster Case Management?

Disaster Case Management (DCM) is a time-limited process by which a skilled helper—a “Disaster Case Manager”—partners with a disaster-affected individual or family in order to plan for and achieve realistic goals for recovery following a disaster.

Recovery and rebuilding a life after a disaster can be overwhelming. With so many applications, steps, and follow-up, it can be hard to know where to start or who to contact. Disaster Case Managers are trained to help those who lack the resources necessary to recover or who need assistance with their recovery toward resilience. Disaster Case Management is a process in which a trained case manager partners with a survivor to plan and to facilitate a road to recovery and resilience. This process is focused on empowering the survivor to take responsibility for their own recovery while a DCM partners with them to navigate and to obtain the resources required to recover.

Do I qualify for a Disaster Case Manager?

Disaster Case Management services are prioritized for people with extensive needs or risk factors—not everyone will need or be able to receive a Disaster Case Manager. Any person who was impacted by the Woolsey Fire and lacks the resources necessary to recover is eligible to receive assistance from a Disaster Case Manager. Due to limited capacity, cases may be prioritized by those with the greatest need, such as those who are without stable housing or consistent access to food.

How do I request a Disaster Case Manager?

To request a DCM, please submit a DCM Interest Form by clicking the button below. This will trigger a request to the DCM team. This form gives us the basic information about you and what impacts you are experiencing as a result of the Woolsey Fire disaster.

What happens after I submit the DCM Interest Form?

Your situation will be evaluated and assigned to a DCM for intake processing. Cases are prioritized according to urgency of need. Cases will receive a Screening Call within 7 days. Urgent cases will receive a call within 48 hours. Important: Please prepare for the Screening Call by compiling a list of what assistance you have already received; please include any and all communications from FEMA, SBA or other government organizations. On this call, you will be asked for your FEMA number, so please have it handy. Note that FEMA registration is not required to receive Disaster Case Management assistance, but if you did register, we will need your FEMA number. 

What happens after the Screening Call?

If you are determined to be eligible and in need of Disaster Case Management, a DCM will be assigned to you for the duration of your recovery process. You will begin meeting with that DCM to identify in more detail your needs, resources, and plan for recovery. Meetings may occur in person or over the phone, but at least 2 meetings will be in person. Frequency of meetings will depend on your situation.  This begins your partnership with your DCM. All information given to your DCM is held with the highest standards of confidentiality.

Recovery Plan

You will develop a Recovery Plan with your DCM which will include your Recovery Goals. This Recovery Plan is a highly individualized process. The purpose of the plan is to establish realistic goals for your recovery and to identify action items. You and your DCM will work together to establish this plan, after which you will implement the action items you agree upon. This plan can be modified over time as your situation may change. Your DCM will assist you in identifying resources and will be your advocate when needed to help obtain resources. You will remain in contact with your DCM as you work through your recovery plan, until your plan has been completed and you have achieved your “new normal.”

For a more detailed explanation of the DCM process, please click here.

We hope this information helps with understanding the recovery process and how we can partner together on your path to resilience.