Hurricane Relief and Rebuilding Meeting
September 26, 2005

Attendees called for greater communication among those most involved: local and national charitable groups and state and federal agencies. Those working in the affected communities believed that while large national organizations had good communications internally and with one another, these networks should be expanded “horizontally” so that everyone in the same region or providing similar services would be well informed.

Better sharing of information would also benefit residents. The knowledge they receive would help them have more control over the futures of their communities as reconstruction begins. Improved communications would be enhanced by activating the 211 telephone service, which would enable hurricane survivors to learn what assistance is available locally.

Those working on immediate needs urged funders sources, both in government and philanthropy, to set aside standard procedures to allow for a more streamlined and flexible process. Local staff had neither the time nor the resources to complete complicated applications.

Local providers emphasized that resources of nonprofits throughout the area were stretched thin and in most cases beyond capacity. Nevertheless the effectiveness of voluntary efforts, they further noted, could be strengthened by coordinating volunteers at the local level.

There had been difficulties working with FEMA. Representatives of nonprofits throughout the state had reported that FEMA’s response had not been adequate.

In discussing the rebuilding effort, local and national participants urged an approach that included creating a community that works for everyone; constructing a city that’s better than it was before; and ensuring that all voices are heard.

Immediate Policy Priorities

Participants discussed immediate national policy concerns related to health care, cash assistance and housing, while recognizing that there were many other needs that also required attention. Many of Hurricane Katrina’s victims have learned they are not able to receive health care because they do not fall into the Medicaid program’s narrow eligibility requirements. Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Max Baucus (D-MT) introduced legislation, S.1716, that would temporary suspend Medicaid’s eligibility categories for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Currently, however, the bill is stalled in Congress, and attendees agreed that support for this bill was vital.

States were initially reluctant to provide cash assistance because it was not clear that FEMA would offer reimbursement. Legislation to provide additional funding has subsequently been signed into law, and the discussion is now focusing on what kind of temporary cash assistance program is needed.

One of the most urgent problems identified by attendees was housing, since victims have only limited access to trailers and temporary homes. The point was made that there have not been sufficient efforts undertaken to identify the thousands of unused apartments that could be made available to those qualifying for Section 8 housing. Attendees also expressed alarm about the use of trailers, even as a short term solution. Many trailer sites are not adequately hooked up to school systems, public transportation, shopping facilities, health clinics and other services required to render a “community” viable, and the stay in these units was likely to be longer than "temporary."

Because Congress had begun to talk about “across the board cuts," the group worried that additional federal government funding to aid hurricane survivors would come at the expense of other programs that serve the poor. Attendees were urged to ensure that this did not happen.

Rebuilding

Attendees talked about the importance that the reconstruction effort not be hasty, but should take into consideration the unique character of each community before the hurricane. It is important to build on the strengths of each community: its diversity, culture, and historic neighborhoods. Moreover it is vital to avoid the mistakes of the past, such as isolating poor people from opportunity; and ensuring that rebuilding benefits all families and all sized businesses. Attendees emphasized that reconstruction efforts must not only center on those communities directly devastated by the hurricane, but also on those in other states that have accepted displaced persons. Resources to help survivors adjust to their new communities and ensureand ensure that thesethat these communities can meet the needs of their new members must be provided immediately and into the future. Others urged that resources benefit fairly both urban and rural areas.

The meeting included local, state and national government representatives. Each urged those interested in assisting with the rebuilding effort to move forward expeditiously with their efforts as decisions were being made daily regarding the direction that funds should be expended. In Mississippi the Governor has appointed Jim Barksdale, chairman of the Mississippi Commission on Recovery Rebuilding and Renewal, to develop a plan for rebuilding that will be presented to the governor by the end of the year. Mr. Barksdale will host a sharette with approximately 80 experts from around the country - from civil engineers and architects to sociologists - to consider longer-term rebuilding efforts and access to insurance. The commission plans to issue a final report at the end of the year.

Next Steps

Attendees identified several steps that can be taken immediately.

• Participants should support enactment of S.1716, which provides short term expansion of Medicaid eligibility for hurricane survivors (see more about the sector's support for this bill);
• Members of the charitable community were encouraged to pool resources, form focused coalitions, and bundle services in a coordinated way;
• Conversations to help determine funding opportunities for organizations in the Mid South and formulate policy platforms are enormously valuable but must happen expeditiously;
• Policy priorities should be identified and shared with the sector immediately so organizations can mobilize; and
• In areas where local policy infrastructure is under developed, universities and other resources should be called upon to jumpstart a local policy agenda.

Presenters during the meeting:

• Diana Aviv, President and CEO, Independent Sector;
• Jim Barksdale, Chairman, Mississippi Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal
• Mark DeCoursey, Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships. American Red Cross;
• David Eisner, Executive Director, Corporation for National and Community Service; and
• Melissa Flournoy, President and CEO, Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations;
• Robert Greenstein, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities;
• Alberto Ibarguen, President, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation;
• Gregory Ben Johnson, President and CEO, Greater New Orleans Community Foundation (by phone);
• Josh Kirschenbaum, Senior Associate, PolicyLink;
• Mitchell Landrieu, Lt. Governor, Louisiana (by phone);
• Amy Liu, Deputy Director and Co-Founder, Metropolitan Policy Program at The Brookings Institution;
• Mark McCrary, Executive Director, Mississippi Center for Nonprofits;
• Marsha Meeks Kelly, Executive Director, Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service;
• Sharon Parrott, Director of Welfare Reform and Income Support Division, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities;
• George Penick, President, Foundation for the Mid-South; and
• James Towey, White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives.