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ARC contacts over 2K clients for disaster case management
The Coordinated Assistance Network, or CAN, which has been the driving force in determining the eligibility of clients who need assistance with rebuilding their homes since Typhoon Soudelor, has been providing weekly updates on the disaster case management efforts of the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Latest data reveal that the number of clients who have been contacted has reached 2,110 so far. From Nov. 14 to Nov. 20 alone, 612 clients were contacted, broken down into 57 referrals to disaster specific resources, 139 cases opened in CAN, and 471 clients served in cases opened during the period.
Client contacts refer to a two-way communication between the 21 disaster caseworkers and do not include attempts to contact clients or voicemails left for clients.
The Top 3 client needs that have been identified are home repair and rebuilding, household goods in terms of appliances, and household goods such as furniture.
As of Nov. 24, CAN data reveal that four clients need benefits advocacy, legal advocacy and 73 various informational needs. A total of 103 clients need clothing, two need children and youth services, three need job training, eight need jobs, 70 need food/nutrition, 366 need household goods, 49 need housing, six need emotional care, 14 require medical assistance, eight need mold remediation, 174 need repairs or rebuilding, eight need transportation, and 19 need utility assistance.
In addition to this data, World Renew, a non-government organization from the U.S. mainland that recently completed their assessment in partnership with the American Red Cross, provided construction and home rebuilding estimation. It has already assessed approximately 125 homes.
According to Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts director Jenny Hegland, the estimates by World Renew have made reasonable material breakdowns for items such as nails, screws and brackets—a reality for the many clients in need of rebuilding assistance as illustrated through CAN data.
