St. Croix Long-Term Recovery Group

In this reporting period, we were so PLEASED to be able to have our first in-person gathering in almost two full years. More than fifty of our members and faith leaders came together to begin updating our Community Asset Map, discuss the plans for the Community Resiliency Hubs, and plan preparedness workshops that are now taking place throughout the island. We have continued expanding into more businesses (public and private sector) as we deliver Continuity Planning, are still striving to build strong volunteer teams, and increase First Responder Awareness among community organizations and varying neighborhood locations.

We continue to work with our sister islands to strengthen the work of the VI Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). This year, we have applied for two grants with the intention to also apply for a Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Response and Mitigation (CDBG-DR & CDBG-Mit) to support the Community Resiliency Hub pilot program and our Disaster Case Managers (DCMs).

We are grateful for the support of the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development for their support as a fiscal sponsor and our wonderful partners at GlobalGiving and the Island Spirit Fund for their continued financial support. And to Episcopal Relief and Development for underwriting a territory-wide Unmet Needs grant, we extend our sincere appreciation.

We are now in the process of transitioning from our Long Term Recovery Group status to the St. Croix COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) as we turn our focus to preparing for all hazards that could impact our island. We have moved into new office space and are even more accessible to community members.

With gratitude for allowing us to serve the St. Croix community and our sister islands,

The staff of the St. Croix Long Term Recovery Group
Jay Rollins, Executive Director for National & Regional Relationships
Delia Richardson, Executive Director for Community Engagement
Christina Joseph, Executive Assistant
Rosalie Javois, VISTA

DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT and UNMET NEEDS
During this reporting period, the Disaster Case Management program continued its usual activities serving, supporting, and advocating for program enrollees recovering from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Almost all await reconstruction or repair through the Envision Tomorrow Program (ENT).  ENT continues to be plagued with delays caused by staffing changes, major disagreements over costs with VIHFA (VI Housing Finance Authority), lack of qualified personnel, reliance on off-island environmental inspectors, delays in contracting a construction management company, and many other challenges. Although some clients are completely vetted through the entire approval process none have received timelines for beginning home repair or re-construction. Two clients received mandated pre-construction evaluation but no follow-up has taken place since then.  We continue to work with our clients in locating alternative resources with limited results given many clients’ aversion to loans, numerous national natural disasters in the interim, the pandemic, inflation, and the continuous crisis affecting everyone since 2017.

In January we were preparing to start much-needed hurricane repairs for an elderly client with funds from the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) approved through the Unmet Needs Committee of the Virgin Islands Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VI VOAD) when the client abruptly passed away.  Needless to say, the entire team was devastated, since so much effort, partnership and time were invested in what in all respects was on the brink of becoming a very successful outcome.  Our DCM is now assisting another client, without resources, who is 84 years old and will hopefully meet the criteria for this funding so she can resume abiding in her home.

Overall, in the aftermath of COVID-19, hopefully, re-construction activity will get fully underway and the 200 homes slated for repair will be completed through the ENT program.   We continue to maintain ongoing contact with clients, providing support, referrals for needed services, assistance with documentation, and advocacy.  We provide an outlet for clients to express their frustration and annoyance with hurricane recovery and rebuild entities while gently shifting their attention to smaller goal attainment and self-advocacy skill development that can make their lives easier in the interim.

DATE: June 1, 2022
REPORTING PERIOD: February 1, 2022  – April 30, 2022           

Client Case Load Metrics
Total clients to date: 118
Total Cases Closed: 83
Total Active Cases: 35
New Enrollment: 2
Number of cases closed: 5
Clients served: 40
Numbers of repairs, estimates, and construction activities: 11
Total hours for construction and repair estimates: 326