Disability Integration Specialist (DR4724HI)
· Provided some regulations on how Disability Integration is utilized during a disaster, and also maintaining the 504 ADA, Access Boards,
· Provided some policies and procedures to Hawaiian Emergency Management pre-events that needed some clarification of American Disabilities Act when is needed to for Accessible Functional Needs for individuals that attend these events.
· Provided s check list of Access and Functional Needs for Pre-Housing Inspections and also for Licensing Inn ( individuals).
· Assisting the Chief of Staff with directives during brief out meetings and also when the Cadre is given a chance to report out events and also other mission support programs also.
· Managed daily reporting of events, activities, supporting of mission and also assisting of the needed support of the disability integration cadres.
· Provide assistance to Individual Assistance during a Licensing Inn and also aid within the disaster when needed.
· Bridging cultural differences and gaps when needed within the FEMA Community and Local Community
· Building a bridge with Hawaiian Emergency Management Agency, Maui County, Maui Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, Small Business Loans, Army Corp, and also the other inter agencies, because of my understanding of the community.
· Provided assistance with the different Native Hawaiian’s, Tongan, Marshallese, American Samoan, The Compacts of Free Association ( COFA) are international agreements establishing and governing the relationships of free association between the United States and the three Pacific Island sovereign states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau., Portuguese, Argentina, Mexican, other Pacifica Islander Community within Maui and the surrounding Hawaiian Islands.
· Navigating between language services and assisting Individual Assistance to connect the different languages.
· Bridging a church event that consisted of over 200+ individuals and FEMA was invited to present and to ask questions.
· Guided individuals from the Community Partners to clearly understand Disability Integration Specialist's and Advisors roads when dealing with Un Met Needs of understanding Un Met Needs within the Community.
· Coordinated with stakeholders to ensure successful execution of disaster recovery processes.
· Analyzed some of the data that was collected from the disaster that is able to give data examples of the disaster.
· Building and maintaining relationships with community partners like: Council for Native Hawaiians of Advancement, Pacific Gateway, Families First, Catholic Charities, GEM, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Maui), Sacred Hearts Catholic Church( Lahaina), Kula Rotary Club, Lahaina Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, and Happy Valley Church(Wailuku).
· Guided Maui Disability Partners Task Force, local community members as known as : Jen ( Kelea foundation), Kathleen( Na'aloha), Brian Hauser ( Na'aloha), SBA, American Red Cross, ( other Disability Partners thru out Maui and also State Stake Holders and National Stake Holders.
· Assist with survivors to make sure there FEMA Forms have the correct information that is needed for survivors to move to different disaster phases (transition into Direct Housing/Rental Assistance)
· Assist survivors that need translation of FEMA Material and other programs that FEMA Assist with Individual Assistance and Public Assistances
· Deploys Disability Integration Advisors and Disability Integration Specialists to advise key leaders in Joint Field Offices (JFOs) and managers at the branch level to increase access and inclusion for survivors with disabilities in both the response and recovery missions
· We provide federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, the public sector and non-profit organizations with the tools, training, resources and strategies necessary to help ensure that people with disabilities can participate in, and benefit from, programs and services during all phases of emergency management
· Our office helps FEMA deliver the agency's shared mission of helping people before, during and after disasters in ways that maximize the inclusion of, and accessibility for, people with disabilities
· Provide technical assistance, training and resources to ensure FEMA's programs and services are accessible to, and available for, people with disabilities impacted by disasters
· Engage with state, local, tribal, territorial NGO, and private sector partners to provide information and referral, training and technical assistance on inclusive emergency management practices
· Analyzed business requirements to identify appropriate integration solution
· Works with FEMA program offices to develop strategies to promote the integration of the needs of people with disabilities into the design and implementation of new programs, as well as identifying potential barriers to access and developing strategies to eliminate those barriers
· Works with internal and external stakeholders to assess and increase disability competency and capacity to serve people with disabilities across the spectrum of emergency preparedness and response
· Provides data-driven, decision support tools to the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, the Disability Integration Cadre and agency leadership ( this data consists of survivors and also their Unmet Needs)
· This includes the Disability Demographics and Program Utilization Report, a series of research studies on the experience and utilization of FEMA programs among people with disabilities who applied for FEMA assistance.
· Evaluated daily standard procedures to identify areas of improvement in disaster recovery operations.
· Guided and provided procedures when an applicant needed to fill out a "Release of Information" when there are certain individuals that are needed to have certain assistance from individual's that are in need understanding of files and other needed documents.
· Analyzed current processes and procedures to recommend improvements to enhance efficiency in disaster response times.
· Created detailed reports outlining progress made towards achieving compliance with industry standards related to disaster recovery planning.
· Collaborated with internal teams on designing solutions for complex problems related to business continuity.
· Documented steps taken during incident response scenarios including root cause analysis and remediation efforts.
· Performed impact assessments on new projects or initiatives that may affect the organization's ability to recover from a disruptive event.
· Guided Housing Inspectors during walk through units, assessing for Accessible Functional Needs
· Provided guidance and direction on best practices for developing an effective Disaster Recovery Plan.
· Maintained communication channels between departments during an emergency situation or crisis management event.
· Stayed up to date on federal, state and local regulations governing emergency response plans.
· Inspected emergency facilities and equipment to maintain optimal functional capabilities in emergency situations.
· Updated emergency preparedness resource materials plan to comply with federal and state regulations.
· Studied successful plans from other locations to assess opportunities to improve program operation.
· Developed and deepened relationships with local municipalities, county departments and city agencies to facilitate smooth planning and coordination of emergency response.
· Enforced standards of care and developed structures to track and evaluate compliance with frameworks.
· Devised and implemented improved care models to increase throughput, patient experiences and staff onboarding.
· Identified practical and potential problems facing emergency services and implemented realistic and successful solutions.
· Communicated departmental, organizational and industry information to staff to help each person better carry out organizational goals.
· Created emergency situation status reports to discuss response and recovery efforts.
· Developed and implemented disaster management plans for vulnerable communities.
· Researched potential risks and threats to areas affected by natural disasters.
· Coordinated with local, state, and federal agencies on disaster relief efforts.
· Provided technical assistance to government officials in the aftermath of disasters.
· Collaborated with stakeholders to build capacity in emergency response operations.
· Participated in inter-agency meetings related to risk assessment and mitigation planning.
· Assessed damage caused by natural disasters and recommended remedial actions.
· Identified resources needed for recovery operations after a catastrophe has occurred.
· Maintained records of all activities related to emergency management initiatives.
· Designed communication resources between government bodies and the public during a crisis.
· Drafted reports detailing the impact of major disasters on populations affected.
· Facilitated individualized client assessments to identify strengths, needs and resources.
· Provided advocacy services to ensure clients are being provided necessary services in a timely manner.