Role of the Case Manager: The case manager supports the client’s progress in developing a recovery (or self-sufficiency) plan by sharing information, helping the client understand the available options and structure an achievable plan of action, referring the client for specific services, providing crisis intervention if necessary, offering strategies to manage challenges and advice on negotiating bureaucracies, and advocating on behalf of the client. Thus, the case manager is often the central figure in the web of services which help a client recover from major disaster. It is often the case manager who makes it possible for the client to access and make the best possible use of other direct services such as mental health services, legal advice, health care, employment services, and financial assistance.

Through the process outlined above the case manager identifies areas of unmet needs that would help the client fulfill their plan and become self-sufficient. If no other resources are available for the client to fulfill their plan for sustainable recovery, the case worker should bring their client’s case to the Roundtable for discussion with the donors and professionally present the areas of unmet need in their clients’ self-sufficiency plan.

When presenting a request for funding at the Roundtable, the donors trust that the caseworkers have conducted thorough research into a client’s case to determine: financial need, document client’s connection to 9/11, what unmet needs the client has that existing aid and the client’s resources cannot provide, what other funding has the client received and, if applicable, reasons why the client case rejected for other existing aid. Case workers should have a review of their case presentation with their supervisor before presenting at the Roundtable. Case manager and supervisor signatures verify that the case management agency is presenting a full and complete picture of the clients’ situation.