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Release Date: April 30, 2011
Release Number: FNF-11-001

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Operation HOPE, Inc. have renewed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen and expand the financial counseling resources available to help individuals and families prepare for disasters and recover in the shortest possible time.

“FEMA is only part of our nation’s emergency management team,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “By partnering with Operation HOPE– another key member of this team –we will be able to assist disaster survivors with financial counseling more effectively and efficiently. Today’s signing was an important step forward not just for FEMA and Operation HOPE, but for the many Americans who may need financial counseling when a disaster strikes.”

 “HOPE helps individuals and families prepare for disasters and regain their financial health and economic stability after disasters and emergencies. We’re pleased to renew this agreement with FEMA to help disaster efforts across the United States.” said Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant.

In coordination with FEMA, Operation HOPE’s HOPE Coalition America (HCA) division will provide pre-disaster financial preparedness and educational workshops as well as free financial counseling and information to disaster survivors, to include financial and debt counseling and case management services.  The Agreement also provides a framework for cooperation between FEMA and HCA related to disaster training and exercise opportunities and partnering in public awareness efforts such as development of publications, manuals, seminars and brochures.

This partnership between FEMA and the Operation HOPE leverages the resourcing strengths of the federal government and the financial counseling experience and services of Operation HOPE. Operation HOPE, an organization skilled at mobilizing volunteers from the financial services industry, offers highly versatile and rapidly-deployable resources to help people needing financial guidance before, during and after disasters.

This Agreement renews the framework that provides FEMA and Operation HOPE the ongoing ability to mobilize Operation HOPE financial services volunteers at Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs), locations where disaster survivors can meet one on one with trained staff to learn more about state and federal disaster assistance programs.

FEMA will continue to work closely with numerous other voluntary organizations active in disasters to support states and local governments for the emergency assistance, housing and human services responsibilities within Emergency Support Function 6 of the National Response Framework. 

About Operation HOPE

Founded in 1992, social empowerment nonprofit Operation HOPE's mission is to expand economic opportunity in under-resourced communities through financial literacy education. HOPE has raised more than $500 million and has helped direct and restructure nearly $500 million more in mortgages and economic support from the private sector. Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant currently serves as a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability.

Last Modified: Sunday, 01-May-2011 15:23:52

 

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