Red Cross Helps Connect Case Managers with Recovery Resources

With a goal of helping people better recover from Superstorm Sandy, the American Red Cross is bringing together disaster case managers and representatives from recovery programs.

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, dozens of case managers from the Red Cross and other case management agencies - including Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services and the Jewish Community Center - attended a presentation by representatives from the Temporary Disaster Assistance Program (TDAP). Vivian Louie and Meagan Van Harte from the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development spoke about the qualification and approval process for people applying for TDAP.

TDAP is one of four NYC Build it Back (BiB) recovery programs.  Under the BiB programs, TDAP uniquely targets low-income renter households that have been directly displaced by Sandy. TDAP provides two years of rental subsidy to help stabilize households still recovering from the storm. In addition, the TDAP program offers Independent Living Planning services to help households attain long-term stability.

On Friday, Jan. 17, representatives from the Salvation Army and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) provided information about assistance available for people affected by Sandy. Pictured L-R is Kim Durow, recovery support project director, National VOAD and John Berglund, emergency disaster services director, Salvation Army.

Last fall, the Red Cross awarded a $2.5 million grant to the Salvation Army to provide direct assistance to clients for unmet recovery and housing needs. The Red Cross also awarded a grant of $500,000 to National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for support to Long Term Recovery Groups.