Catholic Charities USA, HHS Team Up to Help Hurricane Gustav Victims.

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Catholic Charities USA this week launched a new pilot program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services aimed at helping victims of disaster quickly access critical services and resources and provide the ongoing support and care they need to recover.

"This program is designed to help the most vulnerable rebuild their lives suddenly uprooted by disaster," said Kim Burgo, senior director of disaster response for Catholic Charities USA. "People may have lost their jobs or their homes severely damaged. They may need crisis counseling, medical care, or help navigating the often daunting maze of federal and state aid paperwork. Whatever their need is, our case managers will help them access resources to address it."

For some families, their needs may only require short-term help from the case managers. For others, whose needs are more complex, case managers will work with individuals and families in creating and implementing personal recovery plans that will move them toward self sufficiency.

According to U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services Michael O. Leavitt, people need different things to bring their lives back together. "Every life is individual, every life is unique," said Sec. Leavitt in announcing the program.

The federal agency turned to CCUSA to coordinate the effort because of its proven track record in providing case management services to tens of thousands of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita survivors. The programs is an expanded model designed to deploy rapidly anywhere in the United States following a disaster.

CCUSA, in partnership with other nongovernmental organizations, will provide the necessary number of case managers to help thousands of victims of Hurricane Gustav and future disasters.

Catholic Charities USA is collecting donations to support its Hurricane Gustav recovery efforts. To contribute, call [phone]; visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org; or send checks to Catholic Charities USA, 2008 Hurricanes, PO Box 17141, Baltimore, MD 21297-1141.

Catholic Charities USA's members--more than 1,700 local agencies and institutions nationwide--provide help and create hope for nearly 8 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For more than 275 years, local Catholic Charities agencies have been providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from day care and counseling to food and housing. Visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.