1 Overview of Personal Assistance Services Overview of Personal Assistance Services (PAS) Peggy Mott FEMA, Individual Assistance Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Branch November 14, 2013

2 Overview of Personal Assistance Services Purpose  To provide an overview of the FEMA’s Personal Assistance Services contract, which is implemented during Presidentially declared disasters to assist people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs to maintain their independence in general population shelters.

3 Overview of Personal Assistance Services History  FEMA is required by law to provide equal assistance to people with disabilities and other access and functional needs support

4 Overview of Personal Assistance Services Concept  The PAS contract is intended to augment local/State Home Health Aide services or to provide support that an individual’s family/friends would normally provide to ensure that basic needs are met in general population shelters.

5 Overview of Personal Assistance Services Services Provided  PAS staff provide services 24/7:  Basic Personal Care: grooming, eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, walking, transferring  Higher Level of Care: changing dressing on wounds, administering medications, respiratory care – when permitted under State, Tribal, Territorial law

6 Overview of Personal Assistance Services Request Process  Following a Presidential Declaration of Emergency or Major Disaster:  State verifies unmet need for PAS support  State requests support from FEMA  State agrees to cost share  FEMA activates the PAS contract

7 Overview of Personal Assistance Services Time Frame for Deployment  Once a Task Order is issued and funding is secured, the contractor can deploy a maximum of 50 PAS staff in the first 24 hours  Minimum deployment time expands to 48 hours for jurisdictions outside of the continental United States

8 Overview of Personal Assistance Services Responsibilities of Contractor  The Contractor is responsible for providing PAS staff with: Transportation Lodging Supplies Supervision

9 Overview of Personal Assistance Services References  Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended  DAP Personal Assistance Services in Shelters, November 16,  Guidance on Planning for Personal Assistance Services in General Population Shelters, November df df  This PAS Guidance is an appendix of the Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters

10 Overview of Personal Assistance Services For Additional Information Younga Kim FEMA – Individual Assistance Division Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Branch Telephone: Cell: