NCD Letter to FEMA regarding NCD research into institutionalization of people with disabilities during and after disasters

November 28, 2018

William B. Brock Long
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW.
Washington DC 20024

Dear Administrator Long:

The National Council on Disability (NCD) entered into Cooperative Agreement # 18-03 on July 16, 2018 with the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (Partnership) - a national coalition of individuals and organizations whose mission is equal access and full inclusion for the whole community before, during and after disasters - to research and complete a report evaluating the institutionalization of people with disabilities during and after disasters. When complete, it will be provided to the President, Congress, and federal agencies potentially impacted by NCD’s recommendations.

I am writing as follow-up to the request by Partnership for FEMA to provide a description of its role in providing funding and reimbursement to grantees and contractors and any available data and information regarding admissions to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities and other long-term care facilities during and after the 2017 and 2018 disasters, with dates beginning August 25, 2017 through the present. Such data is needed in order to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in the cooperative agreement.

NCD is an independent federal agency, and is statutorily authorized to review and evaluate on a continuing basis–policies, programs, practices, and procedures concerning individuals with disabilities conducted or assisted by Federal departments and agencies…in order to assess the effectiveness of such policies, programs, practices, procedures, statutes, and regulations in meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities.” 29 U.S.C. § 781(a)(5). NCD is also required to “assess the extent to which such policies, programs, practices, and procedures facilitate or impede the promotion of the policies” that “guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities… and empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.” Id. § 781(a)(6) (referencing 29 U.S.C. § 780(a)(2)).

The cooperative agreement between NCD and Partnership states, in relevant part, that:

“This cooperative agreement is necessary to the discharge of NCD’s duty to “review and evaluate on a continuing basis new and emerging disability policy issues affecting individuals with disabilities at the federal, state, and local levels, and in the private sector, including… Access to personal assistance… Access to health care, and policies that operate as disincentives for individuals to seek and retain employment.” 29 U.S.C. § 781(a)(10). Under this cooperative agreement, the Parties will produce a research product on the institutionalization of people with disabilities before during and after disasters. As required by the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act, “substantial involvement is expected between the executive agency and the… Recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated in the agreement.” 31 U.S.C. § 6305(2).

Pursuant to the above, Partnership will need the requested questions and data provided to develop NCD’s report in a timely manner to ensure FEMA’s roles and responsibilities are accurately recorded in the report. I appreciate your prompt consideration and cooperation in assisting NCD with the questions and data collection previously requested. You may provide the data directly to Amy Nicholas, Attorney Advisor, National Council on Disability at anicholas@NCD.gov. Ms. Nicholas can also be reached at (202)-272-2008.

Sincerely,

Neil Romano
Chairman

 

cc:  Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies