Federal Register: September 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 183)
DOCID: fr23se09-74 FR Doc E9-22946
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Children and Families Administration
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr23se09-74
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Proposed Comment Request for Review of ACF Disaster Case Management Implementation Guide; Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response
DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 8, 2009.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 10413, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR) intends to submit to notice in the Federal Register for comments on the ACF Disaster Case Management Implementation Guide, dated December 10, 2008.
Disaster case management is the process of organizing and providing a timely, coordinated approach to assess disasterrelated needs as well as existing healthcare, mental health and human services needs that may adversely impact an individual's recovery if not addressed. Disaster case management facilitates the delivery of appropriate resources and services, works with a client to implement a recovery plan and advocates for the client's needs to assist him/her in returning to a predisaster status while respecting human dignity. If necessary, disaster case management helps transition the client with preexisting needs to existing case management providers after disasterrelated needs are addressed. This is facilitated through the provision of a single point of contact for disaster assistance applicants who need a wide variety of services that may be provided by many different organizations.
The purpose of disaster case management is to rapidly return individuals and families who have survived a disaster to a state of selfsufficiency. This is accomplished by ensuring that each individual has access to a case manager who will capture information about the individual's situation and then serve as his/her advocate and help him/ her organize and access disasterrelated resources, human services, healthcare and mental healthcare that will help him/her achieve pre disaster levels of functioning and equilibrium. The service is particularly critical in situations where largescale mortality, injuries, or personal property damage have occurred. Disaster case management is based on the principles of selfdetermination, self sufficiency, federalism, flexibility and speed, and support to States.
Comments are particularly invited on: the program guidelines of the ACF Disaster Case Management Pilot Program; and recommendations on program improvements based on valid evidence and methodology.
For a copy of the ACF Disaster Case Management Implementation guide, please contact Kaee Ross at 2024019331, or visit http:// www.acf.hhs.gov/ohsepr/dcm/dcm.guide.html.
SUMMARY:
ACF Disaster Case Management Implementation Guide; Proposed Comment Request for Review
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The Administration for Children and Families
(ACF), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is
responsible for Federal programs that promote the economic and social
wellbeing of families, children, individuals, and communities. ACF programs aim to achieve the following:
Dated: September 16, 2009.
David A. Hansell,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.