PASADENA, Calif. — After the Eaton Fire ravaged their home in Altadena nearly three weeks ago, Pete and Angela Mitchell find themselves seeking direction for the road ahead. The couple applied for assistance from FEMA but received a rejection letter instead. Following a lengthy call to FEMA’s helpline and a visit to a recovery center, they discovered the necessity of additional insurance documentation. Unfortunately, their insurance agent’s office was also destroyed in the fire. While they eventually acquired the necessary documents, they are now faced with the challenge of uploading them to FEMA.
The immediate concern for the Mitchells, along with their four dogs and a cat, is finding suitable housing while they plan to rebuild, especially considering they have to manage both the mortgage on their destroyed home and rent for a temporary residence every month. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Angela expressed, emphasizing their uncertainty about securing proper guidance through this overwhelming process. They fear that once FEMA and the media shift their attention to the next crisis, the struggles the Mitchells face will continue unaddressed. “We’re going to be here, struggling,” she added.
Countless individuals affected by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles share similar fears and challenges. In response, multiple nonprofits in the area are mobilizing to provide an unprecedented number of disaster case managers and advocates to assist survivors throughout their recovery journey. These organizations aim to connect individuals with essential resources and advocate on their behalf.
Disaster case managers (DCMs) are trained professionals dedicated to supporting households in developing a long-term recovery plan. In addition to DCMs, many nonprofits provide a range of advocates and caseworkers who assist survivors in finding resources and navigating the complexities of applications.
The urgency for support is evident. As of January 27, around 112,000 FEMA applications were submitted, yet only approximately 19,000 received approval for Individual Assistance. Often, those who receive a “not approved” letter merely need to furnish additional documents or correct simple errors. Balsley emphasized the importance of appealing any denial, stating, “A denial does not signify the end; it’s merely the start of a dialogue.”
However, navigating this appeal process can be a taxing ordeal. As Melissa Baurer, director of integrated health and outreach at Santiam Hospital in Oregon, explained, without advocacy, many individuals simply feel they lack any forward momentum and may surrender to despair. Her hospital employed case managers to help residents impacted by the 2020 Santiam Canyon Fire, taking numerous appeals and persistent follow-ups to secure the necessary financial aid.
Experts assert that without someone to trust, survivors might not even seek help, often discouraged by misinformation or past community traumas. “Case management transcends mere paperwork; it’s fundamentally about fostering human connections,” stated Skye Kolealani Razon-Olds, director of resiliency at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), who employed community care navigators—survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires—to aid others.
In Los Angeles, the foremost task is to identify everyone impacted—not just homeowners but also renters, small business owners, and individuals who lost their livelihoods—and inform them of the available services. Many survivors, including the Mitchells, are unaware of what disaster case management offers.
While standing outside a FEMA recovery center, Angela Mitchell expressed interest in the possibility of case management assistance after the frustrating experience of being shifted between representatives during their call to FEMA. “You don’t have that centralized focus or connection,” she noted.
To access case management services, families can reach out to their local 211 helpline or submit intake forms online through LARCRO, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, and other local agencies. Nonprofits also engage directly with survivors at FEMA disaster recovery centers and various resource fairs.
Campbell mentioned that LARCRO and Catholic Charities are working together to consolidate survivor information to better assess needs and prioritize cases for DCM outreach. “We are collectively striving to ensure that no potential assistance goes unnoticed,” she stated.
To guarantee that every individual receives support, outreach efforts must extend to schools, churches, and other community gathering places. Siugen Constanza, director of community affairs and outreach at the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu, highlighted her team’s effort to connect with families from the Santa Monica-Malibu school district, emphasizing their commitment to support families wherever necessary, even at unconventional locations.
Although FEMA offers funding for disaster case management, many nonprofits depend on community support and philanthropy to recruit and train their case managers. Balsley noted the value of such contributions: “For every dollar that a philanthropic donor invests in our program, we can help survivors access three dollars.”
Ensuring robust support allows these programs to extend as long as needed. Campbell remarked that DCMs are still aiding families affected by the 2018 Woolsey Fire in Malibu. “Our services don’t disappear; we remain until long-term recovery is complete,” she affirmed.
