Learning Tools

Thursday, March 19 | 5–8 PM

Insurance Claims/Contractor Guidance presented by Annie Barbour, United Policyholders (UP)

Workshop Topics Include:
Best Practices when hiring a contractor and fund control
Scope of Loss
Survivor 2 Survivor

United Policyholders (UP) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource and a respected voice for consumers of all types of insurance across the United States. UP provides guidance on purchasing insurance, navigating claims, and advocating for policyholder rights. The organization does not sell insurance or accept funding from insurance companies.

Annie Barbour is the Liaison and Recovery Coordinator for United Policyholders. She lost her home in the Tubbs fire in 2017 and is grateful that she gets to continue helping survivors so they can have a better outcome on their recovery.

Saturday, March 21 | 1–4 PM

Fire Contamination, Cleanup, & Safe Recovery presented by Jane Lawton Potelle, Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU)

Workshop Topics include:
Wildland-urban interface fires vs. Wildfires 
Fire-related soil contamination
Why a home can look clean and still be unsafe
Pros and cons of independent testing
Reoccupancy and waivers

Jane Lawton Potelle is the founder and executive director of Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU), a community advocacy non-profit addressing environmental hazards after the Eaton Fire. EFRU, which includes scientists and data experts, is leading a mapping project analyzing independent contamination testing and advocating for stronger remediation in the LA Fire impacted communities.

Tuesday, March 24 | 5–8 PM SESSION FULL

Disaster Loans‍ ‍& Guidance presented by Kim Wetherby, Small Business Administration - Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience (SBA)

Workshop Topics Include:
Overview of SBA disaster loan programs for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits
What expenses can SBA disaster loans cover during recovery
How to apply for SBA disaster loans and what documentation is needed

SBA offers low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters not covered by insurance or other recovery funds.

Kim Wetherby is a Public Affairs Specialist for the SBA Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience. Kim’s current deployment is in Presidential Declaration CA 20953, covering the fire-torn communities of Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu.  Prior to that, she served 3 months in Texas for the damaging floods that devastated the Texas Hill Country over the July 4th weekend, and prior to that was the fire-torn area of Oklahoma.  As a PIO, Kim's primary goal is to deliver crucial on-the-ground support to those coping with the immediate and lasting effects of disasters.

Thursday, March 26 | 5–8 PM

Overview of Homeowner, Tenant, and Consumer Rights presented by Legal Aid Organizations: NLSLA • LAFLA • Bet Tzedek • Public Counsel

Workshop Topics Include
Homeowner Mortgage and Foreclosure Issues
Post-Disaster Tenants’ Rights
FEMA Appeals
Understanding Rebuild Contracts and Avoiding Contractor Issues
How can estate planning support my recovery?

NLSLA has been providing free legal help to disaster survivors for over 50 years and assists with FEMA, housing, workers rights, public benefits, consumer/bankruptcy, health, education, immigration, and family law/domestic violence issues.

For almost 100 years, LAFLA has been protecting and advancing the rights of vulnerable communities through direct legal representation, systemic advocacy and community education.  

Bet Tzedek Legal Services is a Los Angeles–based nonprofit legal aid organization that provides free, comprehensive legal services, education, and policy advocacy to low-income individuals and families facing discrimination, disparities, and exploitation.

Tuesday, March 31 | 5–8 PM SESSION FULL

Emotional & Mental Wellness in Recovery presented by Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

Workshops Topics Include
Supportive space to focus on emotional wellness during recovery
Reflection on where we are emotionally—without pressure about where we “should” be
Information about trauma, loss, and coping with the longer-term aftermath of disasters
Discussion, gentle activities, and practical tools to support wellbeing
Participation is optional—you are welcome to listen if you are not comfortable sharing

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has served Los Angeles for over 80 years with compassionate, whole-person mental health care, crisis intervention, substance-use support, and suicide prevention services. They have recently expanded their reach through wildfire recovery services, offering therapy and resources for affected individuals and therapy. Trauma-informed support is designed for all forms of recovery, whether someone lost a home, is supporting others, was displaced, or is experiencing stress, grief, or anxiety.