University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, University of Houston and Texas Children’s Hospital

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

University of Houston and

Texas Children's Hospital

Public Assistance and Mitigation Services

August 2001 – December 2004

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSCH), Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) and the University of Houston (UH) suffered millions of dollars of damage following Tropical Storm Allison in June, 2001. During the immediate recovery phase James Lee Witt Associates (JLWA) was contracted to provide mitigation services, oversee recovery efforts, determine losses, review long-term goals and enhance the ongoing recovery effort.

Overall, JLWA reviewed project worksheets to estimate the costs of recovery and assisted each entity in gaining a better understanding of the disaster recovery process and how to maximize their funding from insurance and federal disaster programs. This was achieved by:

• Suggesting and identifying hazard mitigation projects for damaged facilities

• Identifying additional eligible items for reimbursement on the approved scope of work

• Providing documentation for eligibility for FEMA regulations and

• Providing a clear interpretation of FEMA regulations to ensure the maximum eligible funding amounts.

In Houston, JLWA developed and processed over 400 projects for approximately $145 million; identified and received approximately $63.5 million dollars in discretionary mitigation funding; and secured an additional $13.5 million dollars in other mitigation grants for the two universities.

The UT Health Science Center at Houston Accomplishments:

JLWA assisted the University with their review of long-term goals and assessed how they might improve the recovery effort by providing assistance and advice with the following:

• Development of a methodology and strategic action plan

• Development of options analyses

• Selection and justification of optimal scenarios

• Development of the implementation plan consisting of project identification, project claims processing, project preparation, project reporting and project management.

JLWA provided expert advice to comply with FEMA rules and regulations in application for disaster assistance funding. This advice also included counsel about floodplain management, the National Environmental Protection Act and the National and State Historic Preservation Act.

Through JLWA's efforts and guidance, FEMA awarded UTHSCH more than $87.7 million for 137 projects. In addition, FEMA approved Section 406 Hazard Mitigation projects totaling approximately $60.7 million and Section 404 Mitigation for a total of $10.5 million. UTHSCH utilized JLWA project worksheet documentation to submit their insurance reimbursement claim, which totaled $59.0 million.

The University of Houston Accomplishments:

JLWA helped UH develop a recovery strategy in compliance with FEMA hazard mitigation preventive measures and arrange specific Section 406 mitigation grant measures. FEMA awarded the University of Houston more than $86.5 million for Section 303 projects. In addition, FEMA approved projects for $4.5 million in Section 406 mitigation.

JLWA integrated the tracking of the costs of the project worksheets with the UH financial system to effectively monitor all costs and simplify the closeout process. Similarly to the UT Health Science Center, JLWA provided expert advice to comply with FEMA rules and regulations in application for disaster assistance funding.

For example, FEMA offered to reimburse the University of Houston approximately $42.5 million to repair the Law Complex buildings. However, after JLWA discussed the issue with FEMA and identified other reimbursable costs, FEMA boosted the funding to more than $47 million.

The Texas Children's Hospital Accomplishments:

JLWA identified hazard mitigation projects for damaged facilities and assisted in the development of the scopes of work for the Section 406 mitigation projects.