Transitional Recovery Action Center  ~  comprehensive, long term recovery

What is TRAC?
The Transitional Recovery Action Center, or TRAC program, which was once staffed by more than 30 qualified hurricane evacuees, now provides comprehensive long-term assistance to hurricane evacuees and others in need, helping them transition from destitution and dependence to self-sufficiency and stability.

How does it work?
Case managers work one-on-one with displaced individuals and families to assess their needs and establish an Individual Service Plan (ISP)/Family Action Plan (FAP) to address each need, including, but not limited to, housing, employment, transportation, mental health, substance abuse, education/skills training & childcare.

For each identified need, the case manager connects the individual to available federal, state, local governmental and private resources, often advocating and expediting assistance with the service-providers. Specialized case managers are assigned to individuals needing assistance with mental health, substance abuse or co-occurring disorders.

Who makes up TRAC staff?
In addition to case managers, the TRAC team includes housing and employment specialists to provide the missing link between the available (and ever-shifting) housing and job market by establishing relationships with landlords and businesses and connecting evacuees to housing & jobs that are appropriate and sustainable.

What if resources aren't available?
Direct assistance is provided by the Outreach Center if unmet needs remain after all other avenues have been exhausted and when meeting the need facilitates transition to dignity and self-sufficiency. Examples of this might include providing eyeglasses to allow someone to work, mental health medication to allow someone to properly care for their children, transportation funds for evacuees who have a home and job out of the immediate area.

Direct assistance for unmet needs is linked to comprehensive needs assessment and case management to ensure resources are not wasted or duplicated. Funds are dispersed directly to the service providers i.e. rental deposits given directly to landlords, etc to ensure the actual service is provided as needed.

Who else is involved?
Collaborative partnerships with volunteer professionals, organizations, and community groups will continue to be developed to provide additional client services. For example, the Outreach Center is the community collaborative partner with the bar association to provide legal services on-site several days/week.

How are services tracked?
The Outreach Center serves as the lead agency for HUD’s Region IV Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and all TRAC service activities and outcomes are recorded and reported in HMIS by data entry professionals. All program expenditures are managed with significant internal controls and are fully audited by an independent accounting firm.

What is the TRAC philosophy?
The TRAC program is based on an empowerment philosophy where case managers and counselors walk hand-in-hand to help people rebuild their lives and has received a third-party recommendation from a leader in the social service sector to the LA Governor's Office as an example of best practices.

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