National Disaster

Disaster Legal Aid Trainings and Resources

 

NEW RESOURCES

2020

• February - NC Disability & Disaster Hotline Training is being held on Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the NC Rural Center,  4021 Carya Road, Raleigh, NC. The training is held by Disability Rights North Carolina.
• January - Providing Legal Assistance in the Aftermath of Disaster 2020  training was held on January 29, 2020 by Practising Law Institute (PLI). The recordings are available online. In the aftermath of disasters, survivors face a wide variety of legal problems and barriers to recovery. This training will enable attorneys to help serve as LEGAL FIRST RESPONDERS™ and will prepare attorneys to participate in disaster legal services pro bono efforts, including brief phone assistance, providing legal information and referral, in person assistance at know-your-rights workshops, community forums and legal aid clinics (general or subject-specific), and legal representation (limited and full scope). 

2019

• December - The National Low Income Housing Coalition released a report on the long-term recovery of rental housing after Superstorm Sandy in New Jersey. The report shows a loss of low-income rentals and gentrification in heavily impacted communities. 
• November - The Disaster Legal Services Bootcamp was organized by the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center in collaboration with the Volunteerism Commission and the NC Community Foundation. It was held at the North Carolina Rural Center to prepare interested attorneys and paralegals to help following a natural disaster. Event presentations were recorded and are available here.
• October - The National Center on Law & Elder Rights released its updated Practice Tip that summarizes the manuals and trainings available from programs assisting older adults after a disaster.
• August - Guidance on New FEMA Appeals Process and Arbitration Rules by Baker Donelson | Recording here
• June - Duplication of Benefits Webinar Recording by HUD 
• May
  • Equal Justice Works releases a series of training videos for legal aid professionals who are helping clients navigate disaster-related legal matters. 
  • In March, LSC's Disaster Task Force convened in Miami for its second field hearing. The task force consists of more than 60 members working to incorporate legal aid into disaster response and recovery. Watch the videos from the hearing here.
• April
  • Insult to Injury: Natural Disasters and Residents’ Financial Health by the Urban Institute (Webinar Recording | Slides) 
  • The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018: What Legal Aid Providers Should Know by Lone Star Legal Aid and Pro Bono Net 
• March - The Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative recently released its Humanitarian Action Plan, a report with recommendations on helping immigrants recover from disasters.
• February
  • Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) - Transformational Legislation for Emergency Management Director of FEMA’s Office of External Affairs talks about the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA) and what is included in the landmark legislation.
  • The Storm after the Storm, issued by Disability Rights North Carolina, shows how public officials must do more to include the voices of people with disabilities and disability rights advocates as they plan for future emergencies and ensure their safety.
• January - Resilient & Ready: Transforming Disaster Response Through Technology & Network Building by Lone Star Legal Aid, Pro Bono Net, and Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico 

2018

• November - Partnering with Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster by Rebuild Florida 
• November - Disaster Housing Recovery for Vulnerable Populations - Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition, Congressional and Press Briefing by the National Low Income Housing Coalition | Recording | A list of top priorities for any disaster recovery package | Questions and Answers 
• Fall 2018 California Wildfires Helping Handbook- A Resource for Individuals, Families, and Small Businesses by Morrison & Foerster
• November - FEMA and Flood Insurance- Presentation from the National Consumer Law Center Conference

PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES AND COLLABORATION

• Building and Sustaining Disaster Response Networks: Lessons Learned from 2017  by Lone Star Legal Aid, Pro Bono Net, and Legal Aid Association of California
• 2018 Equal Justice Conference: Pro Bono Legal Services in Disaster Relief 
• New York City Bar Association: Rapid Response Protocol: A Framework for Collaboration
• American Bar Association Standing Committee on Pro Bono & Public Service, Section of State and Local Government Law and ABA CLE: Disaster Resiliency: Opportunities for Pro Bono Before and After Disaster Strikes

GENERAL DISASTER LEGAL ASSISTANCE

• An Analysis of Case Law Arising from Emergency Preparedness and Response Activities in the United States by the American Bar Association (recording here)
• Practising Law Institute (PLI): Providing Legal Assistance in the Aftermath of a Disaster (April 2018) 
• National Low Income Housing Coalition: Setting the Record Straight: Disaster Legal Assistance Programs at FEMA and HUD 
• Pro Bono Net and Lone Star Legal Aid: 25 Pro Tips for Working with FEMA: Lessons Learned That Work
• Lone Star Legal Aid, Equal Justice Works: Mo' Disasters, Mo' Problems - Providing Legal Assistance in the Aftermath of a Disaster
• State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association, Central Texas Wildfire Legal Response Team & Texas RioGrande Legal Aid,  Sidley Austin, LLP, Lone Star Legal Aid: Resource Materials for Responding to Legal Questions from those Affected by Disasters
• FEMA, ABA, Disaster Legal Services, Colorado Legal Services: Lessons from Harvey, Irma, and María: How to Effectively Implement DLS when a Disaster Strikes
• American Bar Association: Representing Disaster Survivors: Challenges to Survivors AND Lawyers (On-Demand CLE)
• American Bar Association: Representing Disaster Survivors II: Practical Litigation Tips on How to Succeed in Court and Administrative Hearings (On-Demand CLE)
• Baker Botts LLP: FEMA & Beyond: Disaster Legal Services Training for Pro Bono Attorneys
• Practising Law Institute (PLI): Providing Legal Assistance in the Aftermath of Disaster 2015
• LSC, ABA-YLD: When Disaster Strikes: Helping Survivors with Legal Issues 

FEMA ASSISTANCE & APPEALS

• Legal Aid of North Carolina: Weathering the Storm: Disaster Preparedness for Pro Bono Attorneys (Presentation #1 | Presentation #2) 
• PLI: FEMA Appeals and Overall Disaster Relief 2018
• FEMA Podcast: The FEMA Podcast is a new audio program series available to anyone interested in learning more about the Agency, hearing about innovation in the field of emergency management, and listening to stories about communities and individuals recovering after disasters.
• Representing Clients FEMA Appeals - Jurisdiction
  • State Implementation of ABA Model Court Rule on Provision of Legal Services Following Determination of Major Disaster
  • Model Court Rule on Provision of Legal Services Following Determination of Major Disaster
  • Conference of Chief Justices- Policy Statements & Resolutions
• FEMA: Information Sharing- The Privacy Act & Disaster Information (information on third-party representation letters is included) 
• LatinoJustice PRLDEF & Storm Response Unit - New York Legal Assistance Group: Puerto Rico Disaster Relief 2018: FEMA Appeals
• LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Storm Response Unit - New York Legal Assistance Group, Anderson Kill P.C., Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP: Puerto Rico Disaster Relief
• NY City Bar: Hurricane Disaster Relief: FEMA Appeals Training (For materials, click here).
• Louisiana State Bar Association: FEMA Assistance and Appeals Training Video for Legal Service and Pro Bono Attorneys

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT - DISASTER RECOVERY (CDBG-DR) 

• Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Policy Update

SERVING LGBT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

• A Cultural Competence Guide for Emergency Responders and Volunteers by the Human Rights Campaign 
• How to Include the LGBT Community in Disaster Preparedness by National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)

RECOUPMENT

• Disaster Recovery and Recoupments by the New York Legal Assistance Group, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Pro Bono Net 
• Storm Response Unit, New York Legal Assistance Group: FEMA Appeals, Recoupment and Other Issues for Disaster Survivors

DISABILITY INCLUSION

• The Storm after the Storm, issued by Disability Rights North Carolina, shows how public officials must do more to include the voices of people with disabilities and disability rights advocates as they plan for future emergencies and ensure their safety.
• The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies: Getting It Wrong: An Indictment with a Blueprint for Getting It Right | Disability Rights, Obligations and Responsibilities Before, During and After Disasters and their official site.
• Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies 
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Show Me - A Communication Tool for Emergency Shelters
• Ready.gov: Individuals with Disabilities 
• FEMA: Prepare for Emergencies Now: Information for People with Disabilities

VETERANS

• Department of Veterans Affairs: VA Guidance on Natural Disasters
• Department of Veterans Affairs: Special Relief Following Hurricane Harvey

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

• Emergency Preparedness Toolkit: A Guide for Domestic Violence Organizations by California Partnership to End Domestic Violence 
• Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and Response by VAWnet
• NNEDV Economic Justice Summit (by Coordinadora Paz Para La Mujer, Texas Council on Family Violence, American Bar Association (ABA) Young Lawyers Division, New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence): Natural Disaster: The Impact of Already Marginalized Communities
• New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence & Disasters Resources

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

• Faith-Based and Community Toolkit on Human Trafficking by The Blue Campaign
• DHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (DHS Center), DHS Blue Campaign, Office on Trafficking in Persons at the U.S. Department Health and Human Services, and FEMA: Preventing Human Trafficking in Disasters: What You Need to Know and What You Can Do

LANGUAGE ACCESS 

• Language Access Training Modules by the Pro Bono Training Institute 

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

• Miles & Stockbridge P.C.: Utilizing Government Contracts For Disaster Relief and Hazard Mitigation 2017 Update

INSURANCE ISSUES

• New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): Basic Advocacy: NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
• Seminar by Martin L. Mayo & Associates, P.C.: Flood Insurance Claims 
• Lawline: Federal Disaster Relief and the National Flood Insurance Program
• United Policyholders: Insurance Issues After a Disaster (Segment from Webinar)
• Insurance Information Institute: Which disasters are covered by homeowners insurance?
• ABA Section of Litigation 2012 Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee Seminar: A Disaster Waiting to Happen:
  Insurance Coverage Issues for Catastrophic Losses
• LA Legal Help: Flood Proof
• Center for NYC Neighborhoods: Rising Tides Rising Costs- Flood Insurance and NYC's Affordability Crisis
• Trauma Stewardship Institute: Beyond the Cliff, with Laura van Dernoot Lipsky

IMMIGRATION

• When Disaster Strikes: Promising Practices - Immigrants, Ethnic Minorities and Non-English Speakers by MDC
• Texas - Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
• National Immigration Law Center: Disaster Assistance for Immigrants

GOVERNMENT BENEFITS

• Bay Area Legal Aid: Helping Disaster Survivors Retain or Qualify for Government Benefits

EMPLOYMENT

• Minnis & Smallets LLP: Protecting the Rights of Employees and Employers After A Disaster (Segment from Webinar)

FOOD SECURITY

• Food Research & Action Center: Maintaining Food Security

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY 

• Open Society Foundations: Education in Emergencies: Exploring Innovation, Opportunities, and Challenges
• IT Disaster Planning 101 by LSNTAP, Just-Tech, Puerto Rico Legal Services, and Pro Bono Net
• National Technology Assistance Project: Creating a Technology Disaster Plan

IDENTITY THEFT & FRAUD

• National Identity Theft Victims' Assistance Network: Disaster Related Identity Theft Victimization and Fraud
• Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and AARP: SNAP in the Aftermath of Disaster- Advocacy and Outreach Best Practices

HOUSING & MORTGAGES/FORECLOSURES

• Hurricane Matthew Disaster Recovery and Resilience Initiative: Recovering Affordable Housing in Eastern North Carolina Post-Hurricane Matthew: A Strategy Forward
• Housing Assistance Council: Picking Up the Pieces: Restoring Rural Housing and Communities After a Disaster
• Housing Assistance Council: SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT to Picking Up the Pieces: Restoring Rural Housing and Communities After a Disaster
• Legal Services of North Florida: Representing Consumers and Tenants when Hurricanes or other States of Emergency Happen (CLE Training) 
• National Consumer Law Center: What to know if you are facing foreclosure after a natural disaster
• NeighborWorks America & FDIC: Navigating the Road to Housing Recovery is a comprehensive guide to resources and steps to take for those affected by natural disasters. 
• National Consumer Law Center, Alys Cohen & Margot Saunders - Obtaining Mortgage Relief for Victims of Disaster
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Statement on supervisory practices regarding financial institutions and consumers affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
• Fannie Mae (Hurricane Harvey): Lender Letter LL-2017-03 Servicing Policies for Mortgage Loans Impacted by Hurricane Harvey, Disaster Assistance
• Freddie Mac (Hurricane Harvey): Temporary Servicing Requirements Related to Borrowers Affected by Hurricane Harvey, Servicing Guide Bulletin and Additional Information Regarding Hurricane Harvey, Freddie Mac to Suspend All Evictions and Foreclosures in Hurricane Harvey Major Disaster Areas, Freddie Mac Confirms Disaster Relief Policies as Hurricane Harvey Approaches Texas
• Ginnie Mae: Special Assistance Programs
• John F. Kennedy University College of Law: Landlord-Tenant Rights After a Disaster (Segment from Webinar)
• National Housing Law Project, Home Savers Project, Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County: Issues Faced by Residents of Mobilehome Parks and Foreclosure and Repair Issues for Homeowners After A Disaster (Segment from Webinar)

ELDER RIGHTS

• Quick Tips to Help Older Homeowners Access Insurance Benefits after a Disaster by National Consumer Law Center & National Center on Law & Elder Rights
• National Center on Law & Elder Rights: Legal Services and Disaster Assistance for Older Adults 
• Justice in Aging: Medicare and Disasters: Information for Advocates

CONSUMER RIGHTS

• Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection: Preparing, recovering, and rebuilding after disasters and emergencies
• National Consumer Law Center: National Consumer Law Center Resources to Help Communities Cope with Financial Devastation after a Natural Disaster Strikes
• Bay Area Legal Aid: Consumer Rights, Responsibilities and Protections After a Disaster (Segment from Webinar)
• NCRC: Picking Up the Pieces Post Disaster Webinar Series - Avoiding the Pitfalls, Part III

SOCIAL MEDIA & OUTREACH

• Crisis Management: Controlling the Chaos by Pierpont
• Forbes: Using Social Media Analytics during Disasters: Lessons from the 2015 Chennai Floods
• LawHelpNY.org: Leveraging Social Media and SEO for Online Disaster Outreach
• LawHelpNY: Ten Trends in Online Disaster Outreach
• ABA-YLD, FEMA: Disaster Legal Services Program
• FEMA: White House Innovation for Disaster Response and Recovery Demo Day
• Pro Bono Net: Disaster Legal Services in NY and NJ Post-Sandy : Collaboration and Communities

EDUCATION

• Open Society Foundations: Education in Emergencies: Exploring Innovation, Opportunities, and Challenges

RECOVERY

• LSU: Views of Recovery- Ten Years After Katrina and Rita
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: Long Term Recovery Guide
• NCRC: Picking Up the Pieces Post Disaster Webinar Series - Triage, Part I
• NCRC: Picking Up the Pieces Post Disaster Webinar Series - The Path to Recovery, Part II

ETHICS 

• “Ya gotta have a plan” by Dennis A. Rendleman, Ethics Counsel, ABA Center for Professional Responsibility
• ABA releases new ethics guidance on dealing with disasters by ABA Journal