Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Panel calls for improved data sharing, trusted portals and local capacity in disaster case management
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Summary
SAMHSA, Red Cross and United Way speakers urged better coordination between crisis counseling, casework and 2‑1‑1 systems, recommended shared (limited) data and interoperable resource maps, and highlighted legal and privacy hurdles to exchanging identifiable case records.
Byron Mason of OSEPR opened a session on disaster human services case management that emphasized four elements: who is served, navigating post‑disaster human services, the providers who deliver services, and cascading displacement impacts.
Representatives from SAMHSA, the American Red Cross and United Way explained how their programs intersect. Captain Eric Herholzer (SAMHSA) described crisis counseling as an outreach and psychoeducation program that collects de‑identified, aggregate data and can identify higher‑risk individuals for referral. "We inform people about what resources may be available... and encourage them to access those resources," Herholzer said.
Kimberly Wachaus (American Red Cross) described shelter‑based casework and the challenge of making referrals into longer‑term disaster case management programs; she noted data‑sharing concerns and the need for controlled, consented exchanges so frontline teams avoid duplication. Heather Black (United Way/2‑1‑1) outlined 2‑1‑1's national surge network and an API‑fed, locally curated resource database (1.7 million resource locations) that can speed referrals and assessments.
Panelists agreed on three priorities: (1) expand interoperable local resource maps and make 2‑1‑1 a recognized access point; (2) define limited, consent‑based data‑sharing protocols that protect privacy while enabling referrals; (3) invest in local resilience (Community Adaptation Program examples) so communities can sustain services after federal teams demobilize.
Why it matters: Case managers and crisis counselors are often the first link between survivors and long‑term recovery services. Panelists warned that without better data practices and funding to sustain local partners, survivors can be re‑traumatized by repetitive intake processes or fall through gaps when the initial response ends.
Next steps: OSEPR and partners said they are pursuing technical discussions and future panels focused on data‑sharing models, privacy controls, and how to operationalize 2‑1‑1 as a no‑wrong‑door entry for survivors.
