Case management is an Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) intervention area designed to help Katrina survivors access the numerous array of federal, state, local and humanitarian resources available in their areas.  ERD is supporting case managers to work in communities that are highly populated with victims of the hurricane. 

The case managers network through local churches and other civic groups who often have information about the most vulnerable populations.  Case managers advertise with the local media, canvas door-to-door, welcome walk-ins and accept referrals from other agencies.  Once a person or family has made contact with ERD’s case managers, families are assigned to a case manager in an intake process.  Through this assessment, the case managers determine that the most vulnerable clients-- the elderly, single mothers, the handicapped, those with psychological, medical or drug problems, non-English speakers and the undocumented. 

All clients are supported as they design individual Recovery Action Plans which identify their families’ needs: long-term housing, construction repairs, transportation, job placement, small business recovery, mental health and crisis counseling.  When all other official resources are exhausted, the case manager presents the case to an Unmet Needs Roundtable which accesses a direct grants fund set up by ERD and other area agencies.  Cases are examined and funds are released.  Until applicants are implementing their Recovery Action Plans and do not require further assistance, the cases will remain open. 
 
ERD supports case management through several partners and their affinity networks and affiliates:  Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi (LESM), Office of Disaster Response (ODR) with Grace Community Services, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).