On June 6, there will be a Gulf States Disaster
Recovery Symposium, jointly planned and hosted by the Florida
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (FLVOAD), FIND,
United Way, Florida Catholic Conference, workforce and homelessness
agencies, and many others including partners in other Gulf
Coast states. We are well aware of the broader national and
state Hurricane Conferences, and some program-specific meetings,
but the "niche" purpose of this Symposium is to assemble
some key planners and decision-makers from organizations providing
human services and housing for those affected by disasters.
This is not intended as basic training for masses of new front-line
workers but more for those who can offer experiential insight
and will be key contacts for future efforts of recovery and
mitigation/preparation. We absolutely encourage some of the
key local workforce "Hurricane Heroes" to attend
and participate, particularly those that have formed working
relationships with local organizations/programs serving the
same displaced families.
I have been the workforce lead on this effort, but the workforce
and interstate compact breakout sessions have been organized
by James Finch, AWI staff and counterparts in Mississippi.
The homelessness breakout session has been arranged by Tom
Pierce and Rayme Nuckles, and will address the issue of emergency
shelters accepting/rejecting the previously homeless. If you
have questions or comments about the Symposium or on-going
recovery, preparation or affordable/"workforce" housing
activities, feel free to contact me.
Thanks to the hard work of many, most especially Rev. Russell
Meyers, we are "live" on-line for information and
registrations. Please visit www.findflorida.org to register
online. Because of capacity limits, advance registration is
strongly encouraged and registration "at the door" may
not be possible. The description of the Symposium from the
website is repeated below.
Gulf States Disaster Recovery Symposium
The Perfectly Terrible Storms
... Challenges Ahead
June 5-6, 2006
University of West Florida
Conference Center
Pensacola, Florida
Registration $25
University Lodging $38/night
Attendance will be capped at 300.
Register by May 5, 2006 to obtain lodging.
INVITATION TO PARTICIPANTS
Disasters Don’t Recognize Borders
This first Gulf States Disaster Recovery Symposium will address
the human side of disaster recovery planning; those issues
that affect coordination of social services, affordable housing,
workforce issues, partnerships, crisis counseling, recovery
plans, homelessness and much more. This Symposium provides
the opportunity to bring together state and local governments,
private and non for profit sectors, and volunteers to discuss
the challenges of addressing the aftermath of terrible storms
and reducing the dramatic changes it brings to our communities.
THOSE INVITED TO ATTEND
Leaders/Planners from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana
and Texas engaged in disaster planning and affordable housing
issues Federal Agencies State and Local Government Agencies
Housing Advocates Faith-based/Community Based Organizations
Volunteer Organizations
TOPICS COVERED
RECOVERY
REBUILD Projects
LTRO Issues
Temporary housing solutions
FBO – Interfaith – State/County/Parish/City
NFIP Substantial Improvement - FEMA 50% Rule
AFFORDABLE HOUSING/MITIGATION
Federal/State/Local Affordable/workforce Affordable housing
Housing, Innovations – Partial solutions: modular/mobile
FEMA Trailers – sale/donated - transitional housing Mitigation – defined/opportunities
Funding Alternatives: grants-loans: leveraging of public and
private resources AVAILABLE SERVICES/RESOURCES Workforce Programs,
Staffing Help FEMA benefits Competitive Grant Opportunities-
Interstate Compacts-Cooperation Homelessness – Chronic,
Transitional, Disaster caused SPECIAL NEEDS/SITUATIONS
Crisis Counseling/Emotional Spiritual Care
University/College Prep\/Recovery
Insurance & Legal Issues
Program Schedule
Monday, June 5, 2006
3:00 – 5:00 P.M. Registration/Check-In
3:00 – 5:00 P.M. Tour Rebuild Northwest Florida
5:30 P.M. Welcome Reception
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
8:30 A.M. Welcome & Introductions
9:30 – 10:45 A.M. Breakout Session I
11:00 – 12:30 Breakout Session II
12:30 – 2:00 P.M. Lunch Session w/speaker
2:00 – 3:30 P.M. Breakout Session III
3:30 – 4:30 P.M. Reports/Closing Remarks
4:30 P.M. Sending
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Recovery
Post-Disaster Temporary Housing
How do communities rally to offer temporary housing to victims
of either local or distantly originated disaster? How is evacuee
impact different in urban vs. rural areas? How can we best
plan for transition between mass shelter and permanent housing?
Rebuilding Homes and Lives
Who are the key rebuilders of homes for low income after disaster,
and how do they partner for effective recovery? What are
their needs? Explore the partnerships, processes and successes
when local groups join with nationally sponsored rebuild
organizations.
LTRO - Long Term Recovery Organizations
Recovery occurs at the local level. LTRO players from across
the Gulf States share challenges, identify solutions to rebuild
their community, and address Organization Capacity building
and funding sustainability.
Interfaith Networks at Every Level
Interfaith Network leaders share their experience- challenges-
successes at local, regional, state and national levels.
Organizational capacity building, sustainability, and emerging
trends for
new partnerships will be discussed — a time to share,
network, and capture the strength of faith-based relationships.
Affordable Housing/Mitigation
Affordable Housing: Number One Unmet Need
Focusing on solutions and approaches found across the Gulf
region, panelists discuss how each state responded to meeting
the additional needs for affordable housing created by the
storms of 2004 and 2005. Speakers are invited to "think
outside the box."
Housing Innovations: New Construction Solutions
What's the difference between modular and panelized construction?
What is a Katrina Kottage? What's best for my region, and
how quickly can I partner to get these homes? Presenters
offer their expertise in succeeding with rapid construction
techniques that meet local building codes and cost less.
FEMA Trailers: Where Are They, What Can They Be Used For and
How Can We Get Them?
FEMA trailers may now be available to nonprofits to house storm
survivors in Florida and to house recovery volunteers in other
Gulf States. Brainstorm on effective levering of this resource
to resolve affordable housing shortfalls and to shelter our
volunteer workforce.
Funding Alternatives for Affordable Housing
Federal loan program and banking experts discuss the funding
streams that supply federal, state and local affordable housing
options in different states. Where are transferable programs
that work most effectively? How can NGO's get involved? Follow
the affordable housing money to bring more dollars to your
community.
The FEMA 50% Rule – Substantial Improvement
- National Flood Insurance Program
Such a simple rule – but is it? Overcome the myths and
misunderstandings. Let FEMA help you understand what you need
to know to rebuild within the law and how they can cooperate
with you to comply.
Don't Wait to Mitigate!
How do we build back better, safer, and stronger? How can we
build in mitigation strategies and funds into current recovery
work? Where are the dollars and how do we partner to make
mitigation our strongest long-term goal? A FLASH expert (Federal
Alliance for Safe Homes) shares the "Blueprint for Safety" program
as an example.
Available Services - Resources
The Workforce-- Weathering the Storm
An overview of the mobile One-Stop unit, the National Emergency
Grant program, disaster unemployment compensation and related
programs will be provided as well as how these programs and
services were coordinated in Mississippi in the aftermath
of Hurricane Katrina. Workforce professionals from the Gulf
states
will discuss how workforce funding and other resources can
be targeted in local communities to address the needs of
community based and volunteer organizations.
Interstate Mutual Aid
The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) was developed
by the Southern Governors' Association in September 1992,
and provides the mechanism for states to assist each other
in times of disaster. Based on this compact, Florida partnered
with Mississippi to assist in recovery efforts after Hurricane
Katrina. Discuss the lessons learned and future mutual aid
opportunities from a Mississippi and Florida workforce perspective.
Homelessness Before, During and After a Disaster
How does disaster really impact our day-to-day homeless populations,
and how does this population impact disaster services? Learn
about the challenges of successfully integrating previously
homeless disaster victims into recovery programs.
Special Needs - Resources
Crisis Counseling-- Yes, We All Need It!
Project Hope – Project Recovery – Project Rebound
- and others highlight the short and long-term opportunities
and challenges for crisis counseling both for victims and for
caregivers. Find out about immediate and long-term grants,
programs, and reporting.
Legal Issues: Presentation of the Model Disaster Law Project
and Pro Bono Legal Assistance during a Disaster
Private lawyers present the Model Disaster Law Project. The
Model Disaster Law Project is a national effort among private
lawyers to design a comprehensive model of disaster law to
be used as a template for state legislatures across the country
in drafting progressive laws governing disasters. The innovative
effort to successfully recruit private lawyers in Mississippi
to handle a wide range of disaster-related legal problems will
also be discussed, including recommendations on how this effort
can be duplicated in other states.
Disaster Preparation for Universities and Colleges
Does your campus have an emergency plan? Do you know your community's
top ten most likely risks? Are you ready for both sudden
and approaching disasters? University personnel help you
assess your vulnerability and dust off those emergency plans.
Area Hotel Alternative(s)
Homewood Suites by Hilton
(across from Pensacola Airport)
5049 Corporate Woods Drive
Pensacola, Florida 32504
850-474-3777
Special Rate: $139.00 plus tax
Holiday Inn
I-10-University Mall
7200 PLANTATION RD
PENSACOLA, FL 32504
888-890-0242
Rate: $89.00 plus tax
Holiday Inn Express
I-10 – University Mall
7330 PLANTATION ROAD
PENSACOLA, FL 32504
888-890-0242
Rate: $91.00 plus tax
