HONOLULU – In a recent announcement, Governor Josh Green, M.D., and the State of Hawai‘i Department of Human Services (DHS) introduced the Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP) to aid survivors of the Maui wildfires. The program aims to provide specialized support and resources to assist in the recovery process.
"The launch of the 211 system and Disaster Case Management Program is a testament to the hard work done by our DHS team, the partner community-based organizations, FEMA, and everyone involved— and we are so proud to be able to provide this crucial service to our community. Thank you all," expressed DHS Director Cathy Betts.
Funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the DCMP connects survivors with trained disaster case managers who will help assess their needs and develop a personalized recovery plan. These case managers will act as a "quarterback" for the survivors, aiding them in accessing necessary resources and support for the next two to five years.
The $17.2M FEMA grant will support the program, allowing for the deployment of 36 case managers across four community-based organizations to assist up to 1,260 households affected by the Maui wildfires. The DCMP expands on an interim program initiated by the American Red Cross and is open to all survivors, irrespective of their FEMA eligibility or application status.
To access the services provided by the DCMP, survivors impacted by the Maui wildfires are encouraged to contact 211 and join the waitlist. DHS has implemented a triage and care navigation system to swiftly determine eligibility and onboard survivors into the program. Throughout the waiting period, a care navigation specialist will support survivors by answering questions, providing updates, and guiding them through available resources.
The DHS is committed to scaling the DCMP efficiently to ensure timely assistance for survivors as they navigate their recovery journey.