Rebuilding homes and hope in Louisiana

In the heart of Louisiana, our Baton Rouge-based disaster management team is helping build more resilient communities in areas at risk for or devastated by natural disasters. Catastrophic events with well-known names like hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and more recently Laura and Ida, as well as wildfires, flooding, and other events. Events that are becoming more common and extreme due to climate change.

In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found Louisiana to be the state most impacted by costly natural disasters since 1980.

For 20+ years, our nearly 40-person team, which can swell to 100 during a disaster declaration and activation, has been instrumental in supporting recovery and mitigation efforts across the state. Helping the Louisiana Office of Risk Management quickly and compliantly disburse grant funding—from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Disaster Recovery Block Grants—to people and communities in need through 175+ state agency partners. And using the latest technologies, including drones, 3D imaging, and our proprietary cloud-based grants management platform disasTRAX^®, to deliver this work.

But their work isn’t just about rebuilding infrastructure. It’s about restoring lives and livelihoods, often including their own or those of their neighbors, friends, and families. In fact, many of the staff joined the team after they or their communities were impacted. And they’ve grown their careers supporting them through every step of the recovery process.

Joeann Jenkins, vice president for disaster management, leads the Louisiana-based team and has been a member since we started delivering programs for the state. She says, “Disaster recovery isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. It’s about being there for the long haul, helping communities navigate the complex journey of recovery.”

But what makes this team tick? For some, it’s their shared lived experiences being part of an impacted community. For others, it’s the purpose-driven nature of the work, the team’s collaborative spirit, or simply a desire to serve. From annual breast cancer, autism, and epilepsy awareness fundraisers to organizing food, water, and holiday toy and school supply drives to volunteering at local shelters, the team’s contributions extend far beyond their professional duties.

The Baton Rouge team was the top ICF team contributor to charitable donations in 2023 and is leading in our donation and volunteering efforts for 2024. They even launched a mentorship program for young people interested in a career the disaster management field.

“We believe in giving back to the communities we serve,” says Jennifer Simonet, grants administration director, who coordinates team-building activities and philanthropy efforts for the staff. But not all team members are based in Louisiana. They pull in experts—from North Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and more—to fill key program needs. These distant members are also encouraged to participate in volunteer programs and fundraising activities that support the communities where they live. Jennifer continues, “We have a collaborative culture that not only extends to our work but to our philanthropy and team-building efforts as well. We try to create a family environment where everyone feels part of it.”

Sean Hall, senior director for disaster recovery adds, “When you’re working in a field like disaster recovery, it can be intense. So, we plan activities to keep up morale and stay engaged with each other, like virtual and in-person birthday lunches, dinners, and friendly competitions, often around Jennifer’s fundraising efforts.”

In their work and their actions, our Baton Rouge team truly demonstrates what it means to live ICF's purpose: to build and more prosperous and resilient world for all.