News Summary
West Virginia is experiencing a severe shortage of disaster case managers, which is hampering long-term recovery efforts for communities affected by recent natural disasters. During a legislative committee meeting, Lora Pierce from Catholic Charities of West Virginia highlighted the urgent need for these professionals, emphasizing that hundreds of unmet needs persist. Funding challenges and a lack of adequate training resources contribute to this issue, putting communities at risk as they seek support for rebuilding their lives after disasters.
Charleston, West Virginia – The State of West Virginia faces a critical shortage of disaster case managers, significantly impeding long-term recovery efforts for communities grappling with the aftermath of natural disasters. This urgent concern was brought to light during a legislative committee meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
Call for Action on Long-Term Recovery
Lora Pierce, a Disaster Services Specialist with Catholic Charities of West Virginia (CCWVa), addressed the legislature’s Committee on Flooding, emphasizing that while immediate responses to natural disasters are handled effectively, comprehensive long-term relief remains severely lacking. She highlighted the absence of sufficient disaster case managers as the primary obstacle preventing affected residents from returning to safe and secure homes. Pierce confirmed that hundreds of unmet needs persist across West Virginia communities.
The deficiency of these specialized professionals has become particularly evident following recent major disaster events in the state. In 2025 alone, West Virginia experienced significant flooding in its southern coalfields in February, followed by a violent flash flood in Ohio and Marion counties during Father’s Day weekend. Pierce noted that recovery in the northern panhandle is progressing faster than in the southern coalfields, attributing this difference to a greater availability of volunteers in the northern region.
Role of Disaster Case Managers and Funding Challenges
Disaster case managers are crucial in guiding affected families through the complex processes of federal and state recovery programs. They assist in accessing funds from voluntary organizations, developing personalized recovery plans, and acting as advocates for clients, particularly when challenging adverse decisions from federal entities, state bodies, or private insurers. A notable example of their impact was seen after the 2016 floods, when case managers affiliated with the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD) helped victims secure approximately $40 million in federal assistance through appeals that were initially denied.
Historically, WV VOAD provided these essential case management services. However, the organization’s structure has evolved in recent years, leaving a significant void that has not been adequately filled. Pierce pointed to the consistent uncertainty surrounding federal funding from FEMA for disaster recovery, stressing the necessity for the state to identify and leverage its own resources to fund disaster case management. She urged lawmakers to allocate funds to the Disaster Recovery Trust Fund, which was re-established a few years prior. Senator Kevan Bartlett expressed confidence that West Virginians would contribute if they were better informed about the critical need.
Catholic Charities of West Virginia is actively working to address this gap. The organization currently holds a grant to train disaster case managers and has conducted training sessions in Wheeling and Charleston. A forthcoming meeting is scheduled for McDowell County next month to continue these efforts. Despite these initiatives, Pierce cautioned that the number of individuals they are able to train represents only “a drop in the bucket” compared to the actual demand for such services.
Broader Context of State Recovery Efforts
West Virginia has a long history of vulnerability to natural hazards, with the state receiving 77 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster declarations since 1954, including 32 floods and 31 severe storm incidents. In response to devastating floods in 2016, the State Resiliency Office (SRO) was established in 2021 with the aim of updating the state’s flooding plan and enhancing preparedness. However, the state legislature has not provided funding for this plan or its updates, leading the SRO to focus on smaller, grant-funded projects and collaborations.
Many of the local long-term recovery groups that emerged after the 2016 floods have since ceased to exist, further exacerbating the challenge of sustained recovery. Discussions within the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding have also touched upon the fluctuating nature of federal support and a potential shift of more recovery responsibilities to states, which could place additional strain on West Virginia’s resources. Concerns about FEMA’s assistance denials and evolving thresholds have also been raised by state officials in previous legislative meetings.
While the state has implemented initiatives like the West Virginia Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver Demonstration, which focuses on enhancing behavioral health services and supporting recovery for individuals with substance use disorders, this program is distinct from the immediate need for disaster case managers following natural catastrophes. The Medicaid waiver addresses social determinants of health and supports long-term recovery in the context of behavioral health, including recovery housing and employment support.
The West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WV EMD) plays a key role in coordinating guidance and support for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery across the state. However, the testimony before the Committee on Flooding underscores a persistent gap in the human resources required for effective, sustained recovery following the physical devastation of natural disasters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main issue highlighted regarding West Virginia’s disaster recovery efforts?
- The State of West Virginia is facing a critical shortage of disaster case managers, which significantly hinders long-term recovery efforts for communities affected by natural disasters.
- Who brought this issue to the attention of lawmakers?
- Lora Pierce, a Disaster Services Specialist with Catholic Charities of West Virginia, presented this concern to the legislature’s Committee on Flooding on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
- Why are disaster case managers important?
- Disaster case managers are crucial for guiding affected families through complex federal and state recovery programs, helping them access funds from voluntary organizations, developing recovery plans, and advocating on their behalf. They were instrumental in securing significant federal assistance for victims of the 2016 floods.
- What are some of the reasons for the shortage of disaster case managers?
- The West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD), which previously supplied case managers, has changed its structure, leaving a gap. Additionally, there is uncertainty regarding federal funding from FEMA for disaster recovery.
- What is being done to address the shortage?
- Catholic Charities of West Virginia has a grant to train disaster case managers and has conducted training sessions, with more planned. Lawmakers have been urged to allocate funds to the state’s Disaster Recovery Trust Fund.
- How does the West Virginia Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver Demonstration relate to disaster recovery?
- The West Virginia Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver Demonstration focuses on behavioral health services and supporting recovery for individuals with substance use disorders, including recovery housing and employment support. While it supports long-term recovery in a general sense, it is distinct from the immediate need for disaster case managers following natural catastrophes.
Key Features of West Virginia’s Disaster Recovery Landscape
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Disaster Case Managers | Professionals who guide affected families through recovery programs, resource access, and advocacy. Current state: Significant shortage impacting long-term recovery. | State-level |
| Long-Term Recovery Efforts | Comprehensive support needed after immediate disaster response to help communities and individuals rebuild. Current state: Lacking due to case manager shortage. | State-level |
| Catholic Charities of West Virginia (CCWVa) | Organization actively involved in disaster services, including training case managers and providing long-term recovery support. | State-level |
| Disaster Recovery Trust Fund | State fund revived a few years ago; lawmakers urged to allocate funds to address recovery needs. | State-level |
| WV VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) | Previously supplied case managers for West Virginia; changed structure has created a gap in services. | State-level |
| State Resiliency Office (SRO) | Established in 2021 to update the state’s flooding plan and enhance preparedness; legislative funding for the plan has not been provided. | State-level |
| West Virginia Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver Demonstration | Focuses on behavioral health services and substance use disorder recovery, including recovery housing and employment support. | State-level |
| FEMA Disaster Declarations | West Virginia has received 77 federal declarations since 1954, highlighting ongoing vulnerability to natural hazards. | State-level |
| Emergency Shelter | Designed for short-term use in an emergency, not as a long-term alternative to affordable housing. | Nationwide |