Dallas, Texas

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Region VI Human Services & Disasters Summit
July 30 – August 1, 2008
Dallas , Texas

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30

 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Registration – Skybridge Registration Desk

 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Exhibits – Press Club

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM: General Session - Austin Ballroom  

Presentation of Colors and National Anthem
The Honor Guard with the 136 Texas Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force

Greetings
Leon R. McCowan, Regional Administrator, Administration for Children and Families, Region VI

Gary Jones, Deputy Regional Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region VI

Welcoming Remarks
Michael Garcia, Regional Director, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Region VI

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Break & Exhibits – Press Club

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Plenary Session – Austin Ballroom        

Federal Overview of Human Services and Disasters

Presenters:

Captain Roberta Lavin, Director, Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response, U. S. Department of HHS, ACF Juan Gil, IA Branch Chief, FEMA Region VI  Dr. John Kim Cook, Director, Department of Homeland Security, Center For Community and Faith-based Initiatives

Leadership officials from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives and Federal Emergency Management Agency come together for this panel discussion to share the Federal perspective on the importance of human services in disaster response and recovery.  Each will provide the audience an overview of his or her agency’s national strategic approach to promote and support the delivery of human services in disasters.  Questions and answers will be permitted.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Captain Roberta Lavin, Director, Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response, U. S. Department of HHS, ACF Juan Gil, IA Branch Chief, FEMA Region VI  Dr. John Kim Cook, Director, Department of Homeland Security, Center For Community and Faith-based Initiatives

12:00 PM –1:30 PM: Lunch on Your Own

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Plenary Session – Austin Ballroom     

Collaborations in the Response to and Recovery from Hurricane Katrina

Presenters:

James Evans, Deputy Director for Operations, Total Community Action Agency, New Orleans Charlotte Provenza, Director, YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge Michael Goeken, Special Projects Manager, City of San Antonio Katy Underwood, Family Road of Greater Baton Rouge

This session will focus on sharing lessons learned and the experiences of partnering with community, state, and federal organizations and agencies in response to the 2005 hurricanes.  It will explain the role and function of the Hurricane Relief and Recovery Network as well as other community collaborative efforts relative to immediate response and ongoing recovery work.  Information will be presented on the unique needs of an indirectly but significantly impacted community, and the resources and services that were or were not available to meet needs.  Additional discussions will include information on Renaissance Village; and on the evolving roles that were assumed by the Department of Community Initiatives, City of San Antonio to assist Katrina/Rita evacuees and how the Department engaged more than a dozen community-based and faith-based organizations to provide a comprehensive spectrum of services.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Charlotte Provenza, Director, YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge Michael Goeken, Special Projects Manager, City of San Antonio Katy Underwood, Family Road of Greater Baton Rouge

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Break & Exhibits – Press Club

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Plenary Session – Austin Ballroom   

Collaborations in Response at the State and Local Level

Presenters:

Howard Hendrick, Director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Bill Campbell, Executive Director, Emergency Services Division, Baptist Children and Family Services J. J. Jones, Fort Worth Office of Emergency Management

This session will showcase how state and local agencies and organizations collaborate when responding to disasters, and the importance of having an established network when emergencies strike.   The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services will highlight the important role his agency plays working with other state agency officials, tribal governments, and many county and community organizations to ensure the delivery of human services to vulnerable Oklahoma citizens during all types of emergency situations.  The Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Fort Worth will describe how the city interacted with other Fort Worth agencies to respond and care for the community following the Wedgewood Baptist Church shootings.  The Baptist Children and Family Services (BCFS) agency will present its role in supporting emergency response activities and how they work very closely within the Unified Command structure with other government and non-profit organizations on incidents ranging from weather disasters to the recent removal of children from the FLDS Compound in El Dorado, Texas. 

PRESENTATIONS by:

Howard Hendrick, Director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services J. J. Jones, Fort Worth Office of Emergency Management

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Evening Networking Reception - Austin Ballroom

Featuring the University of North Texas Daper Jazz Trio.  Light Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

THURSDAY, JULY 31

7:00 AM – 4:30 PM: Registration – Skybridge Registration Desk

7:00 AM – 4:30 PM: Exhibits – Press Club

8:00 AM –  9:30 AM: Break-out Workshops (four options)

Planning and Policy:  ESF-6 Under the National Response Framework
Austin Ballroom 1                                             

Presenter:

Waddy Gonzalez, ESF-6 Mass Care Unit Chief, FEMA Headquarters

The National Response Plan establishes a comprehensive all hazards approach to enhance the ability of the U.S. to manage domestic incidents.  This workshop will focus on how Emergency Support Function (ESF) #6 – Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services coordinates the delivery of Federal mass care, emergency assistance, housing, and human services when local, tribal, and State response and recovery needs exceed their capabilities.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Waddy Gonzalez, ESF-6 Mass Care Unit Chief, FEMA Headquarters Presentation 1; Presentation 2

Community Resiliency: Community and Faith Based Initiatives for Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery
Austin Ballroom 2

Presenters:

Rob Clay, Convoy of Hope Dr. John Kim Cook, Department of Homeland Security, Center for Community and Faith-based Initiatives Peter Hull, Homeland Security Institute Stacy Sayre, Regional Coordinator, HHS Region VI, Medical Reserve Corps

Responding to disasters around the world, Faith Based Community Organizations (FBCOs) provide service related to shelter, food, medical, children, logistics, transportation, case management, reconstruction and mental health & spiritual care.  This workshop will discuss the effectiveness of FBCOs  and provide a snapshot of the tremendous contributions during America’s worst disasters.  This workshop will introduce an initiative launched by Convoy of Hope called H.O.P.E. Begins Here (Helping Others Prepare for Emergencies) to build sector and community resiliency that benefits children, senior citizens, families, and young adults from all walks of life. The campaign is a growing consortium of for-profit, nonprofit, and government organizations committed to building awareness and strengthening our nation’s resiliency to disaster, one community at a time.  Stacy Sayre will discuss the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) which is a community-based program that is sponsored and supported by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps. The MRC mission is dedicated to establishing teams of local volunteer medical and public health professionals to contribute their skills and expertise.

Children and Families: Children and Disasters
Austin Ballroom 3

Presenter:

Dr. Robin Gurwitch, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Terrorism and Disaster Center

As much as we would like to protect our children, their lives are all too often touched by trauma and disasters. By understanding the impact of these events on children, we can better respond to their emotional needs. There are many ways that those working with young children can build children’s resilience in the face of trauma and/or disasters and thus, improve outcome. These skills can be used following crisis as well as at other stressful times in their lives. This workshop will provide an overview of understanding and responding to the needs of young children after trauma and disasters with an emphasis on building resilience.

Toolbox: A Culture of Preparedness
Seminar Theatre

Presenter:

Margaret Schaefer, Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

This session will focus on recent (Post Katrina) legislation and resulting improvements in Federal policy and guidance with regard to emergency management.  A specific focus will be to call attention to improvements related to special needs populations.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Margaret Schaefer, Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

 

9:30 AM –  10:00 AM: Break and Exhibits – Press Club

10:00 AM –  11:30 AM: Break-out Workshops (four options)

Planning and Policy:  GSA Disasters Services
Austin Ballroom 1

Presenter:

Paulette Sepulvado, North Texas Service Director, General Services Administration

GSA’s State and Local Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program GSA schedule, contracts, and programs are designed specifically to assist Federal, State, Tribal and Local agencies in meeting their day to day missions as well as protect our Homeland. An important part of the GSA mission is to provide product and service solutions to meet first responder, law enforcement and security requirements. This workshop will provide instruction on when and how state and locals can utilize GSA schedules to assist in recovery; explain what legislative authority allows State & Local access to the schedules;introduce e-tool solutions for State & Local governments; and explain benefits of the program.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Paulette Sepulvado, North Texas Service Director, General Services Administration

Community Resiliency: Strategies for Faith-Based and Government Engagement in Disaster Planning and Response
Austin Ballroom 2

Presenters:

Dr. Rose Pfefferbaum, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Terrorism and Disaster Center Dr. John Kim Cook, Department of Homeland Security, Center for Community and Faith–based Initiatives

This presentation will review the concept of community resilience as an approach to disaster management. Challenges to disaster preparedness and response will be identified as they relate to the provision of human services through faith-based and government engagement. Broad strategies will be considered. The Community Assessment of Resilience Tool (CART) will be introduced as a community intervention for building community resilience to disasters for children and families. Participants will discuss appropriate strategies they have used or could use to prepare for and respond to disasters.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Dr. Rose Pfefferbaum, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Terrorism and Disaster Center

Children and Families: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 101 for Children
Austin Ballroom 3

Presenter:

Dr. Donald Smith, Board President/CEO, Generations Center

It is important to prepare one’s self to respond to the traumatic needs of children and families when disaster events occur.  In particular, the responses of emergency management and human service providers are critical.  This brief workshop will summarize what providers may observe in children who may exhibit Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), prolonged exposure to traumatic events, and the short and long-term needs of children exposed to disasters.  Finally, participants will be presented information about techniques that promote effective triage and communication with children during and after disasters.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Dr. Donald Smith, Board President/CEO, Generations Center

Toolbox: Case Management Pilot Project
Seminar Theatre

Presenters:

Captain Roberta Lavin, Director, Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Boa Le, FEMA Headquarters

This presentation will be a collaboration between FEMA and HHS Administration for Families and Children to provide an overview of the current implementation plan for a pilot of Disaster Case Management (DCM).  Additionally, an overview of other DCM initiatives within FEMA will be discussed.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Captain Roberta Lavin, Director, Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Boa Le, FEMA Headquarters

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Lunch on Your Own

1:00 PM –  2:30 PM: Break-out Workshops (four options)

Planning and Policy:  The Role of Federal Agencies in Supporting Human Services in Disasters
Austin Ballroom 1     

Presenters:

Bill Fellers, Records Management Specialist, NARA, Fort Worth Ron Gwinn, Disaster Coordinator , USDA FNS, Region VI Mark Randle, Disaster Recovery Officers, Small Business Administration (SBA) Edward Ellis, Disaster Recovery Coordinator Region VI & VIII, HUD

This session will provide insight on the various roles that Federal agencies play to support local efforts in emergency management preparedness, response and recovery especially for vulnerable populations.   HUD, NARA, FNS and SBA will share information on each agency’s role and how they coordinate with other emergency management officials.  Presenters will share recommendations on preparedness from each area of expertise, and potential resources/information available to assist with preparedness, response and recovery. 

PRESENTATIONS by:

Ron Gwinn, Disaster Coordinator , USDA FNS, Region VI Mark Randle, Disaster Recovery Officers, Small Business Administration (SBA)

Community Resiliency: Funding Issues and Opportunities for Community and Faith-based Organizations
Austin Ballroom 2

Presenters:

Chris Walsh, Public Assistance Specialist, FEMA Region VI, Public Assistance Branch Miriam R. Moore, Deputy Director, Task Force for Faith-based and Community Initiatives, United States Department of Justice

Mr. Walsh will the declaration process and applicant eligibility requirements pertaining to Private-Non-Profit Organizations. Ms. Moore’s presentation is designed to help grantees, potential applicants, and state and local government officials understand the federal laws and policies require equal treatment for faith- and community-based organizations in federal assistance programs. These laws and policy-making principles require federal agencies, as well as state and local agencies administering federal funds, to (1) ensure equal treatment and religious liberty for organizations and individuals, regardless of their religious affiliation, or lack thereof; (2) lift unnecessary restrictions on the use of "indirect" federal financial assistance; and (3) clarify proper, Constitutional uses of federal assistance.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Chris Walsh, Public Assistance Specialist, FEMA Region VI, Public Assistance Branch Miriam R. Moore, Deputy Director, Task Force for Faith-based and Community Initiatives, United States Department of Justice

Children and Families:  Importance of Emergency Preparedness and COOP Planning for Early Childhood Development Programs
Austin Ballroom 3

Presenters:

Robert Hominick, Regional Emergency Coordinator, SW Region, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Brad R. McDannald, Regional Continuity Manager, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region VI Louis Altman, President, GlobaFone

In this session, attendees will learn the key elements of emergency preparedness and Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP) development to minimize interruption in the delivery of services under emergency situations, to engage all staff in the planning process, and to be prepared to assist others in the community during response and recovery.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Robert Hominick, Regional Emergency Coordinator, SW Region, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Louis Altman, President, GlobaFone

Toolbox:  Developing Human Services Response Teams
Seminar Theatre

Presenters:

Thomas R. Thomson, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services John A. Call, Crisis Management Consultants

How can a local human services disaster response team be developed utilizing the expertise of professionals who are employed by a multitude of local state agencies?  Interagency cooperation in times of crisis is often a problem—professionals might not know each other, know each other’s role and responsibilities, and/or know each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and resources.  In today’s world it is important to think ahead and be prepared for disasters.  To help meet this goal in Oklahoma, a program was designed to institute and train five community Human Service Disaster Response Teams utilizing, primarily, the knowledge and experience of those within state agencies already existent within a community.  The primary purpose of each HSDRT is to provide psychological first aid to disaster survivors and first responders within the first 72 hours post disaster impact. The second purpose is to assess a community’s mental health needs after a disaster.  The objectives of this workshop are to understand:  the need for Human Service Disaster Response Teams; the method of utilizing an interactive workbook and team exercises when initiating the development of a HSDRT; and the need and methodology for continued support to maintain the HSDRTs during their first year.   

PRESENTATIONS by:

John A. Call, Crisis Management Consultants

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Break & Exhibits – Press Club

3:00 PM –  4:30 PM: Break-out Workshops (four options)

Planning and Policy:  Overview of Family and Child Reunification Tools
Available in Disasters
Austin Ballroom 1

Presenters:

Waddy Gonzalez, FEMA Headquarters John McInturf, Director of Performance Planning, Louisiana Office of Community Services

Mr. Gonzalez will provide an overview of various reunification tools including the National Shelter System (NSS), National Emergency Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS), and the National Emergency Child Locator Center (NECLC).  Mr. McInturf will demonstrate the Reconnect Families application which is designed to assist agencies that serve families in tracking and locating children, families, providers and workers during times of disaster or similar events.  The session will not only demo the free application, but will provide the background for its development, practical uses of the system and how a similar system was used in Louisiana during the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Waddy Gonzalez, FEMA Headquarters John McInturf, Director of Performance Planning, Louisiana Office of Community Services - Presentation 1; Presentation 2

Community Resiliency:  Restoring Hope After a Disaster:  The Role of
Faith-based and Community Organizations
Austin Ballroom 2

Presenter:

Jennifer Posten, Manager, Office of Disaster Preparedness & Response, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston

Restoring hope after disaster can manifest itself in many forms.  What is the role of the faith community in this vital task?  The obvious answer is spiritual care, however if the house of worship and its members are impacted directly by a disaster, the options to service the greater community is limited.  That is why it is so important to have contingency plan in place before a disruptive event occurs, such as a hurricane or a simple power outage caused by a backhoe in the parking lot during services.  Once the plan is in place, it is a good idea for a house of worship to create a cadre of lay members who will be able to support the faith leader in spiritual care outreach in the aftermath of a disaster.  This breakout will outline the awareness training needed by lay volunteers to identify the extreme emotions, concerns and fears experienced by victims and response in a safe and sincere manner.  In addition to spiritual care, a house of worship may feel compelled to provide a direct service.   This breakout will provide the basic guidelines and tools to determining the best direct service for the impacted community and the participating house of worship.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Jennifer Posten, Manager, Office of Disaster Preparedness & Response, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston

Children and Families:  ACF Program Flexibilities and Waivers
Austin Ballroom 3

Presenters:

Joyce Thomas, Regional Administrator, ACF Region V Erica Fleischer, Regional Emergency Management Specialist, ACF Region V

This session is designed for Administration for Children and Families (ACF) grantees and program partners to discuss currently available program flexibilities and waivers.  During this session, participants will have the opportunity to discuss other potential areas that could benefit from ACF program flexibilities and waivers to improve the delivery of human services in emergencies and disasters.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Joyce Thomas, Regional Administrator, ACF Region V

Toolbox:  Issues of Diversity in Crisis Management Planning
Seminar Theatre

Presenters:

Peter D. Osilaja, ED. D., CEO/Founder of KidSafety of America

Having an integrated concept of planning cannot be overstated.  Understanding that at the end of the day, you will be dealing with people and cultures, is a fact.  Learn what disaster management planners like yourself think about the presence, inclusion and importance of diversity in disaster management planning for increasingly multicultural communities.  The purpose of this session is to inform about diversity variables, namely, flexibility, inclusion, trust, risk perception, equity and adaptability.  How planners factor these variables into their work helps to shape overall disaster management “success” perception.  This session will present the outcomes of the survey conducted at the Disaster Recovery Journal Spring ’08 conference in Orlando, Florida on this topic.

PRESENTATIONS by:

Peter D. Osilaja, ED. D., CEO/Founder of KidSafety of America

Friday, August 1, 2008
 
7:00 AM: Exhibits Open – Press Club

8:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Breakfast and Closing Plenary
Austin Ballroom

Building Community Resilience to Disasters for Children and Families

Presenters:

Dr. Rose Pfefferbaum, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Terrorism and Disaster Center

This plenary session will explore the concept of community resilience to disasters and its relationship to human services for children and families. General strategies for building community resilience will be identified along with guidelines that can be used to ascertain the contribution of human service programs to community resilience.   

PRESENTATIONS by:

Dr. Rose Pfefferbaum, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Terrorism and Disaster Center Building Community Resilience for Children and Families (handbook)

Medical Reserve Corps

Presenters:

Stacy Sayre, Regional VI MRC Coordinator

PRESENTATIONS by:

Stacy Sayre, Regional VI MRC Coordinator

Keynote Speaker
Ann Williamson, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Human Services

Closing Remarks
Leon R. McCowan, Regional Administrator, Administration for Children and Families, Region VI

Carolyn Meier, Associate Regional Administrator, Administration for Children and Families, Region VI

Conference Adjourns