CALEMA State Director Cecile Rollinson presented on her state’s efforts to implement AB 903, effective March 16, 2009.
AB 903 permits certain private nonprofit organizations to be reimbursed by the state for the cost of supplies or other emergency assistance provided during an emergency.
Specifically, this measure:
- Specifies that if a state of emergency is proclaimed, an eligible private nonprofit organization may receive state assistance for distribution of supplies and other disaster or emergency assistance activities resulting in extraordinary cost provided the nonprofit entity is eligible for disaster assistance under federal law.
- Prohibits reimbursement to nonprofit organizations that employ religious content in the provision of emergency assistance.
- Also, requires that the grant for assistance comply with constitutional prohibitions against using public funds to aid religious or sectarian purposes.
- Directs the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to develop regulations concerning the reimbursement of these nonprofit organizations from the Disaster Assistance Fund.
HHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships led a panel of experts in presentation on children in Disasters. Cpt Roberta Lavin presented on Children's Needs and Resources.
Children comprise about 25 percent of our population and have unique needs during a disaster that require specific recognition and coordination on the part of federal, state, Tribal and local governments and their non-governmental disaster-relief partners. The rise in major disaster declarations over the past two decades, and more recent disasters have highlighted the need to improve the gaps in preparedness, response and recovery policies that should specifically address the needs of children.
The purpose of the Commission is to: (1) conduct a comprehensive study that examines and assesses children?s needs as they relate to preparation for, response to, and recovery from all hazards, including major disasters and emergencies; (2) identify, review, and evaluate existing laws, regulations, policies, and programs relevant to such needs; (3) identify, review, and evaluate the lessons learned from past disasters relative to addressing such needs; and (4) report to the President and Congress on its findings and recommendations to address such needs, including regarding the need for a national resource center on children and disasters, coordination of resources and services, administrative actions, policies, regulations, and legislative changes.
In support of the National Commission on Children and Disasters, FEMA Administrator Fugate has announced the establishment of a Children's Working Group which will serve as the primary advocate on children's initiatives. The working group will provide an immediate forum for promoting the needs of children across the agency, and it will allow us to move forward quickly in evaluating the recommendations of both the National Commission on Children and Disasters and non-governmental groups such as Save the Children.
This working group represents a new way of tackling and focusing on this issue, one that is aimed at integrating children's planning throughout the agency, coordinating among the federal family, and across the Nation. We are optimistic that this approach will create real, lasting change when it comes to our planning for and treatment of the needs associated with children during disasters.
The Working Group will embody a chair, lead coordinator and primary representative from each directorate/office affiliated with children's needs. This cross-cutting team will be responsible for evaluating and implementing recommendations of the Commission, as well as coordinating with other DHS components/offices, federal agencies and non-governmental organizations in support of the Commission's efforts.