Disaster Recovery Connecticut

Disaster recovery connecticut
A natural disaster can upend years of hard work and stability in a matter of minutes. Many people are surprised and overwhelmed by the magnitude of the damage, and even more so by the amount of recovery required to rebuild their lives. For many, the recovery process takes months or even years, and they may need the help of professionals to get back on their feet. In the meantime, they can find support in their families, friends, and community, and seek out local and national charities that are working to aid in recovery efforts.

In 34 states and territories, a governor’s emergency declaration loosens statutory restrictions on state agency budgets so they can shift funds between programs to pay for disaster costs. This “direct appropriation” process gives state officials the flexibility to fund urgent needs that would otherwise be stalled by the annual appropriations process.

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Public Protection (DESPP) has awarded nearly $1.3 million to reimburse the state’s administrative costs related to the tornadoes and storms that struck on May 15, 2018. These funds were provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The funding is administered through a state agreement with the Global Resilience Institute out of Northeastern University. The project focuses on training state and local government employees in a trauma-informed approach to engaging with disaster survivors, which will result in a more sensitive and responsive experience for everyone involved. The team also has created three video training modules on working with survivors, and is developing an accompanying guidebook for implementing this new approach to disaster recovery. disaster recovery connecticut