State Disaster Relief Program

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) Disaster Recovery Branch (DRB) provides training, guidance, and technical assistance for various disaster assistance programs designed to support both public entities and private individuals following officially declared disasters. These programs are implemented to provide supplemental relief and recovery support in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters within the state of Ohio. The DRB is responsible for administering multiple major assistance initiatives, including the FEMA Individuals and Households Program, FEMA Public Assistance Program, the State Individual Assistance Program, and the State Disaster Relief Program. These programs target two primary groups: governmental and nonprofit organizations for infrastructure and operational recovery, and individuals and families for housing and personal property restoration. One of the key roles of the DRB is to coordinate with local governments to process requests for financial and technical aid in the wake of state or gubernatorially declared disasters. This coordination ensures that the affected communities receive timely support and that appropriate assessments are conducted to determine eligibility and needs. The DRB also offers a suite of training programs in damage assessment and disaster recovery for various stakeholders, including government agencies at the state, county, and local levels, as well as voluntary organizations and members of the general public. This training strengthens local readiness and improves efficiency in recovery operations during actual disaster events. Additionally, the branch provides ongoing technical assistance to public officials. This includes education on available emergency management resources and the intricacies of applying for and administering disaster aid. By maintaining open communication channels with local jurisdictions, the DRB ensures that assistance processes remain accessible and understandable. For more detailed inquiries or to seek assistance, the primary contact is Laura Adcock, the Disaster Recovery Branch Chief. She can be reached via phone at (614) 799-3667 or by email at ladcock@dps.ohio.gov.