CHARLES COOK: 
Following Hurricane Ike, the state of Texas was given a grant for Disaster Case Management. Many of the FEMA applicants residing in a temporary housing unit were not receiving the full range of services available through the disaster case management program. To assist in identifying those applicants, Texas submitted one letter under routine use "(H)(1)" requesting information to do outreach and casework.  

Once this data was transmitted back to the State Disaster Case Management program, they were able to conduct outreach and offer their assistance. DCM case managers were also able to provide access to Long Term Recovery Committees and other grant funding to applicants in need of permanent housing solutions. This initiative between FEMA and the agencies provided a shared mission that tied the organizations together.  The Routine Use was the bridge allowing communication to occur.