SBA Official Explains New Disaster Recovery Policies and Empathy Training

SBA Funding and Disaster Preparedness

• 💰 The SBA requested $140 million in FY2026, with projections indicating sufficient funds currently, though mother nature's unpredictability necessitates ongoing assessment.
• ⚠️ Special funding is available through the appropriations process to assist Americans in need following disasters, as emphasized by Chairman Cole.

Enhancing Disaster Assistance Processes

• 📧 The SBA has moved away from the ORE principle (reaching out via email, text, or phone with a three-day window for response) to an "and" approach, ensuring all possible methods are used to contact disaster victims.
• ⏳ This change provides disaster survivors with necessary time and ensures the SBA makes every effort to connect with them, understanding the challenges they face.

Implementing Empathy Training for Employees

• 🧑‍💼 A new disaster training program requires all employees new to disaster scenes to deploy and interact directly with survivors.
• 💔 This initiative aims to foster empathy and passion by having employees hear survivor stories, witness the devastation firsthand, and understand the human element of disaster recovery.
• 🎯 The goal is to transform the perception of disaster victims from mere numbers to individuals facing immense challenges.

The Importance of Human Connection in Disaster Recovery

• 🔥 An anecdote illustrates the profound generosity and resilience of disaster survivors, who, even in their own hardship, sought to help those assisting them.
• 🤝 This experience highlights the critical need to bring the human element back into disaster recovery efforts, ensuring individuals can rebuild their lives.
• 🗣️ The speaker expresses respect for the SBA administrator and the official for leading with courage, conviction, and heart.