Disaster Assistance To Counties (DAC)

Purpose:

The Disaster Assistance Unit is responsible for the statewide coordination of disaster mental health responses to major disasters in support of local mental health government. This includes disaster assistance to local mental health in their emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts to assure the disaster mental health needs of California citizens are met following major natural, manmade, and war caused disasters.

Objectives:

To enhance the state's ability to respond to the emotional aftermath of a major disaster, the objectives of the Disaster Assistance Unit are to implement the rules, policies, regulations, and guidelines of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as related to mental health, adhere to the Standardized Emergency Management System, provide local mental health technical assistance, assist counties obtain federal funds to support crisis counseling and training programs, and collaborate with federal, state, and local governmental departments and the private sector with respect to mental health needs in the pre-impact, impact, and post-impact phases of disaster response.

Priority Action Areas:

The Disaster Assistance Unit's top priority is to be ready 24 hours a day to respond to major disasters throughout California. Priority action areas include the administration of ongoing FEMA funded crisis counseling programs, coordination with other Disaster Response Agencies, and the provision of technical assistance to county mental health.

Legal Authority:

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Recovery Act, P.L. 93-288, as amended; Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 4051; the Standardized Emergency Management System, Government Code 8607; and Executive Order W-9-91.