The MCMC kickoff workshop last week in Biloxi was a great success. Many thanks to all of those on the leadership and management staff who did such a great job of organizing and coordinating the activities. We would also like to thank the IP hotel staff who accommodated the needs of over 300 people!

While the workshop provided a good foundation for the project, there remains a great deal of work to be done in order to build a successful program. Here are a few of the things that are happening this week: The leadership and management staff are working diligently to finalize the coordination mechanisms between FEMA, HUD, and the MCMC; Affiliates are finalizing contacts and completing the hiring of staff; Meanwhile, individuals and families currently residing in temporary housing units are transitioning into DHAP housing and continuing to try and recover from the catastrophes that were Katrina and Rita nearly three years ago.

The MCMC affiliates will begin the delivery of high quality disaster case management services in the next few days and I am sure that there will be many anxious moments as this program gets underway. In the midst of those anxious moments, please remember that case managers are the “deliverable” of this project and that you have the support of the leadership and management staff as you work with clients. Remember to seek supervision and to ask for assistance. We are all in this together working toward a common goal of facilitating the recovery of others! You, and your work, are valued and critical to the success of this program. Give it your best!

All the best,

Stephen