6-Hour Program

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Overview

Current and Emerging Issues in Disaster Response: Legal Strategies and Practices for Helping Survivors

This program was recorded on November 19, 2021, and organized by Pro Bono Net, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Equal Justice Works.

 

Why You Should Attend

There have been over 300 federal major disaster declarations across the United States and territories in the past five years, resulting from hurricanes, wildfires, severe weather events, earthquakes, and other emergencies. These major disasters have devastated communities and cost the lives of thousands of people. During the response and recovery phases, the legal issues that individuals face often go unnoticed. Legal problems include landlord and tenant disputes, obtaining disaster assistance, replacing important documents lost during the weather event, and insurance claims. These problems also span over several months after the disaster, and in some cases, even years.

This program will provide attendees a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape after a disaster. Speakers will share insights from their disaster response work and provide practical advice for supporting survivors and impacted communities through a path of recovery and resilience. In addition, program faculty will explain why and how climate disasters, preparedness (or lack thereof), and policies concerning disaster recovery affect racial minorities, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and immigrant survivors.

 

What You Will Learn

  • The difference between a Federal Emergency and Disaster Declaration
  • The Major Disaster Declaration Process and the types of assistance made available after a major disaster declaration
  • The basics of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including the application and appeals process
  • Types of legal needs that arise after a disaster
  • How climate disasters and policies concerning disaster recovery affect at-risk individuals and communities
  • Examples of legal response frameworks and efforts in the aftermath of past major disasters
  • Uses of technology in disaster preparedness, response, and long-term recovery
  • When and how pro bono attorneys, law students, and other advocates can assist legal response efforts

 

Who Should Attend

This program is open to:

  • Attorneys, volunteers, and advocates from nonprofit legal service organizations
  • Leaders and staff from national and state bar associations
  • Court-based self-help staff
  • Pro bono coordinators from law firms and corporations
  • Law school students and faculty
  • Allied nonprofits working on disaster legal response efforts
  • Advocates interested in learning about the legal needs arising from climate disasters


Lecture Topics [Total time 00:06:40]

Segments with an asterisk (*) are available only with the purchase of the entire program.


  • Opening Remarks* [00:11:30]
    Amanda Bosley, Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz, Linda Anderson Stanley
  • Disaster Response and Recovery General Landscape [01:01:34]
    Hannah Dyal, Linda Anderson Stanley
  • Equitable Disaster Recovery and Resilience: Challenges, Impact, & Solutions to Support At-Risk Communities [01:15:14]
    Ariadna Godreau-Aubert, Noah Patton
  • Overview/Nuts and Bolts of FEMA Individual Assistance Program applications and appeals [00:57:29]
    Stephanie Duke, Elizabeth Savage, Emma Smiley
  • Legal Support for Immigrant Communities [01:00:04]
    Katy Atkiss, Jeremy Jong, Pat Malone, Pamela Martinez
  • When and How Pro Bono Attorneys Can Help [01:00:11]
    Christine E. Cerniglia, Belinda J. Martinez, Cheryl Naja, Andrew J. VanSingel
  • Disaster Legal Issues & Holistic Representation [00:57:07]
    Liz Keith, Mary Vazquez, Lorilei Williams

Presentation Material


  • Complete Course Handbook 1 of 2
  • Complete Course Handbook 1 of 2
  • Disaster Response and Recovery General Landscape: Back to Basics (PowerPoint slides)
    Linda Anderson Stanley, Hannah Dyal
  • A Guide to the Disaster Declaration Process and Federal Disaster Assistance, FEMA
    Linda Anderson Stanley, Hannah Dyal
  • Legal Needs After a Disaster
    Linda Anderson Stanley, Hannah Dyal
  • Disaster Response and Recovery General Landscape Resources
    Linda Anderson Stanley, Hannah Dyal
  • Equitable Disaster Recovery and Resilience (PowerPoint slides)
    Curtis Brown, Ariadna Godreau-Aubert, Noah Patton
  • Fixing America’s Broken Disaster Recovery Part One: Barriers to a Complete and Equitable Recovery
    Noah Patton
  • Fixing America’s Broken Disaster Recovery Part Two: Policy Framework Reform Recommendations
    Noah Patton
  • Overview/Nuts and Bolts of FEMA Individual Assistance Program Applications and Appeals (PowerPoint slides)
    Sapna Aiyer, Stephanie Duke, Elizabeth Savage, Emma Smiley
  • Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG), Version 1.1, FP 104-009-03, May 2021, FEMA
    Sapna Aiyer, Stephanie Duke, Elizabeth Savage, Emma Smiley
  • FEMA Fact Sheet: Update to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide, Version 1.1, August 2021
    Sapna Aiyer, Stephanie Duke, Elizabeth Savage, Emma Smiley
  • 25 Pro Tips for Working with FEMA: Lessons Learned that Work
    Sapna Aiyer, Stephanie Duke, Elizabeth Savage, Emma Smiley
  • 25 Pro Tips for Working with FEMA: COVID-19 Edition
    Sapna Aiyer, Stephanie Duke, Elizabeth Savage, Emma Smiley
  • Legal Support for Immigrant Communities (PowerPoint slides)
    Katy Atkiss, Jeremy Jong, Pat Malone, Pamela Martinez
  • Immigrant Accessibility Index, Version: 8/22/2019, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
    Katy Atkiss
  • Immigrant Disaster Resource Guide: A Live List of Resources for Immigrant Advocates in Greater Houston
    Katy Atkiss
  • Información Sobre Asistencia Para Personas Afectadas por Huracán Ida
    Jeremy Jong
  • Legal Support for Immigrant Communities Resources
    Katy Atkiss, Jeremy Jong, Pat Malone, Pamela Martinez
  • When and How Pro Bono Attorneys Can Help (PowerPoint slides)
    Christine E. Cerniglia, Belinda J. Martinez, Cheryl Naja, Andrew J. VanSingel
  • Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disaster
    Christine E. Cerniglia
  • Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030, United Nations
    Christine E. Cerniglia
  • When and How Pro Bono Attorneys Can Help Resources
    Christine E. Cerniglia, Belinda J. Martinez, Cheryl Naja, Andrew J. VanSingel
  • Holistic Representation, Technology, & Trauma-Informed Lawyering (PowerPoint slides)
    Liz Keith, Mary Vazquez, Lorilei Williams
  • General Resources for Survivors, General Disaster Relief and Recovery Information
    Liz Keith, Mary Vazquez, Lorilei Williams
  • Disaster Legal Issues & Holistic Representation Resources
    Lorilei Williams

This program was recorded on November 19, 2021, and organized by Pro Bono Net, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Equal Justice Works.

 

There have been over 300 federal major disaster declarations across the United States and territories in the past five years, resulting from hurricanes, wildfires, severe weather events, earthquakes, and other emergencies. These major disasters have devastated communities and cost the lives of thousands of people. During the response and recovery phases, the legal issues that individuals face often go unnoticed. Legal problems include landlord and tenant disputes, obtaining disaster assistance, replacing important documents lost during the weather event, and insurance claims. These problems also span over several months after the disaster, and in some cases, even years.

This program will provide attendees a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape after a disaster. Speakers will share insights from their disaster response work and provide practical advice for supporting survivors and impacted communities through a path of recovery and resilience. In addition, program faculty will explain why and how climate disasters, preparedness (or lack thereof), and policies concerning disaster recovery affect racial minorities, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and immigrant survivors.

 

What You Will Learn

  • The difference between a Federal Emergency and Disaster Declaration
  • The Major Disaster Declaration Process and the types of assistance made available after a major disaster declaration
  • The basics of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including the application and appeals process
  • Types of legal needs that arise after a disaster
  • How climate disasters and policies concerning disaster recovery affect at-risk individuals and communities
  • Examples of legal response frameworks and efforts in the aftermath of past major disasters
  • Uses of technology in disaster preparedness, response, and long-term recovery
  • When and how pro bono attorneys, law students, and other advocates can assist legal response efforts

 

Interested in learning more? In this episode of Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files, Alicia Aiken talks to seasoned disaster relief attorneys about how pro bono assistance can make a difference for survivors.

Credit Details