Associate Administrator, Francisco Sanchez, Jr. will discuss the recent reorganization of the former Office of Disaster Assistance into the Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience.

This workshop will explain and explore the importance of developing and engaging community care in the disaster recovery process to support community members as they navigate disaster recovery systems, process trauma, manage impacts of toxic stress, and gain confidence and strength as they adjust to their “new normal.”

Join us for a conversation on the data resources available before, during and after times of disaster. The session will include an overview of how and where to find data across the community with special considerations for applying data toward recovery and resiliency efforts.

Sharing our model (the Nonprofit Disaster Recovery Framework), developed based on the lessons learned by hundreds of nonprofit professionals after Hurricane Harvey, for long-term disaster recovery.

Trauma-informed care has become increasingly necessary in the time of COVID, school closures, and increased stress on campers and staff. The founders of Project:Camp will teach the best practices and methods they use to provide trauma-informed care for children displaced by natural disasters, and how to implement these methods at camp. They’ll discuss the three primary tools to take a trauma-informed approach to your staff training and programs. 

Emergency Manager's and nonprofits have been responding to disasters the same way for a very long time. This often involves a reactive approach to all phases of a disaster that include varying levels of collaboration and siloed response and recovery efforts that are inefficient and under-resourced. There has to be a better way, right? This session will explore the foundational concepts of "A Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management". This approach leverages all members of a community and their collective skills and resources to create collaborative, efficient, and resilient communities that are better prepared for the impacts and recovery from future disaster events.      

This workshop will highlight what United Way 211 Texas Helpline does during blue sky days, but also how it can be an impactful tool for help seekers to get information on the recovery efforts of disaster-based needs from one source.

In the session agencies will be educated about STEAR, and how their organization can connect with 211 during a disaster to report their resources and services. The objective of this workshop is to strengthen the connection of 211 and fellow disaster responders in order to help those in need to receive critical information for basic needs in a timely manner.

This session will provide an open forum for attendees to brainstorm and dialogue about what the future of disaster can and should look like.

In times of disaster it is easy to fall back on what we have done, what the guidance says, or what we know. However, how do we lead with the “yes” in mind? How do we get to a place where we can focus on the situation at hand and look for the way to say “yes”. It may take more effort, critical thinking, and an equitable frame of mind, but it will likely end up being a more holistic service. The presenter will share this approach using an example from Hurricane Harvey to set the stage for creativity, flexibility, and the way to get to “yes”! 

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) recognizes the vital role that Texas’ faith-based and community organizations play within our communities before, during, and after disasters. It is of high importance that TDEM continues to collaborate with faith-based and community organizations, including disaster nonprofits and voluntary organizations active in disaster (VOAD), to better prepare for disasters, build local networks for recovery, and strengthen resiliency within Texas communities.  

This workshop will provide an overview of TDEM in its new era, share about innovative new utilization of technologies, and the creation of the Regional VAL program. Join us to discuss where the Disaster Recovery Task Force (DRTF) is at and explore how we can continue to move forward together! 

This session will focus on how Greater Houston Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston have partnered to establish a lasting leadership coalition designed to strengthen year-round preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to ensure that Houston has the networks and systems to respond quickly, equitably, and effectively in times of disaster.? Ultimately, the goal is to accelerate effective disaster recovery and increase the?? resiliency of?Houston’s most vulnerable residents.

Local governmental partners play a critical role in supporting community recovery efforts. In order to work collaboratively with local government, recovery partners need to have a firm understanding of how local government and emergency management engage in disaster response and recovery activities before, during, and after a disaster.

Learn best practices from Harvey.

Many of us would never hesitate to help a friend, family, or community member. More challenging to individuals is trying to figure out our own needs and wrestling for some time to meet those needs. Human beings do not come with neatly packaged care instructions. To maximize our output, we need to care for ourselves. This presentation will teach you the steps to making a robust self-care plan to care for ourselves so that we can continue giving our care to others. This presentation will also introduce some breathing and mindfulness exercises to help reduce stress. 

This session will provide an open forum for attendees to brainstorm and dialogue about what the future of disaster can and should look like.