Sheltering in the 21 st Century

1. Sheltering in the 21st Century Amy Green Sheltering Lead, Mass Care American Red Cross National Headquarters Midwest Partners in Preparedness Conference St. Louis, MO September 29, 2010

2. Shelter Sheltering disaster victims is one of the core services provided by the American Red Cross in most disasters. People count on the Red Cross to provide a safe place for those impacted by disasters and emergencies.

3. Changing Environment • Community expectations • Evacuation planning • Resource constraints • Physical and mental health needs of clients • Increased demand • Shelters open longer

4. To meet the challenge of growing and complex sheltering needs, the Red Cross will use its technical expertise and work with community stakeholders to plan for and respond to disaster with training and better communication. To do this, the Red Cross is developing a broader protocol and an enhanced mindset of what a shelter is, which includes the many roles the Red Cross can play. Shelter

5. Shelters must be clean, safe, accessible and secure. Shelter workers and managers must be strong advocates for all clients. Clients should be seen as proactive participants in recovery. Care and resources provided should be tailored to both the specific needs of the individual client and the local community as a whole. Shelter operators should prepare and respond with community partners. Sheltering Philosophy

6. A challenge to the overall community: how do we work together to meet the needs of those with access and functional needs? This will require a broader definition of the workforce and resources necessary to operate a shelter, as well as expanded view of the role of various community and government organizations in sheltering operations. Moving Forward

7. Shelter Services The Red Cross Shelter Network Who We Serve Community Partnerships Key Components

8. Availability of full range of services in shelters Feeding Bulk Distribution Family Reunification Health Services Mental Health Client Casework Must integrate community stakeholders to provide services Shelter Services

9. We will support independent shelters by offering support and services and coordinating with emergency management. We will strive to ensure all shelters have equitable services through shelter assessments. Shelter Network

10. Who We Serve The assumption that the majority of persons fit in the “average” or “one size fits all” category has proven to be false, and plans to meet the needs of the entire community in times of disaster must change accordingly. Our clients present individual needs as adults, children, and families and these needs must be met appropriately. The Red Cross will include more strategic and intentional partners, integrate functional support services within our shelters, and improve tools to ensure the provision of critical resources.

11. Accommodation • Safely accommodate individuals with functional and/or access needs in our congregate shelters • Partner externally and provide appropriate referrals when we cannot safely accommodate an individual

12. The Red Cross will: Operate shelters so all residents get the same benefits ofbasic needs, medical care, and the support of family and friends Meet the access and functional needs of shelter residents while keeping families together with assistance from community partners Applying ADA Basic Principles

13. Continued… Coordinate with facility owners, Emergency Management, and other non-profits to make shelters accessible Consult shelter residents to understand and meet their individual needs Applying ADA Basic Principles

14. Shelter Intake Red Cross and federal government use “American Red Cross – Department of Health and Human Services Initial Intake and Assessment Tool” for all families as soon as possible after a shelter is opened and residents arrive.

15. Focuses on questions at Registration around hearing, cognition, medicine, equipment, activities of daily living, personal assistants, allergies, and dietary needs. Client answers guide the registrar on how to proceed. If needed, the client will be referred to Health Services, Disaster Mental Health, or the Shelter Manager for additional assessment and services. Initial Intake and Assessment Tool

16. Assessment will determine the needs of the client, and connect to resources Replace items lost/damaged in the disaster Continue Continuity of Care Work with partners including Public Health and Medical Reserve Corps Resources need to include local partners for FNSS Health & Mental Health Assessment

17. Sheltering is a community response. It will take every community stakeholder to maximize resources and expertise. Community Partnerships

18. Educate the disaster workforce on local issues surrounding access and functional needs Construct an integrated plan Work together to identify appropriate facilities Coordinate community resources to address gaps in supplies, equipment and services Plan exercises and include people with disabilities to test the ability to meet needs Preparing Together

19. Involves all community stakeholders Addresses the access and functional needs of shelter residents with all types of disabilities Outlines processes for obtaining community resources to meet these needs Integrated Community Plan

20. Safely accommodates individuals with access and functional needs Has appropriate resources that are readily available Integrates community stakeholders to provide services Successful Community Shelter

21. Amy Green Sheltering Lead, Mass Care American Red Cross GreenAmy@usa.redcross.org Questions?