Missouri has received a grant of more than $5.3 million to help the long-term recovery of individuals and families in communities affected by the disasters that hit the state this spring. Governor Jay Nixon says the grant from FEMA will be used to provide disaster case management for victims of disasters including severe storms and tornadoes that hit the St. Louis area, record flooding along the Mississippi River and across southern Missouri, and the devastating Joplin tornado.

“I’ve made it clear that the state of Missouri has a long-term commitment of being there to see that the needs of Missourians who suffered from these disasters are met,” Gov. Nixon said. “This $5 million grant will help Missourians with their long-term recovery and help strengthen our communities as they come back.”

Disaster case managers will help guide those who have survived the disasters to identify needs they have and to obtain the resources they need in the long term to recover. Those case managers will assist in the development of a specifically tailored disaster recovery plan that may include referrals, monitoring of services, and advocacy, when needed.

In July, the Missouri Department of Economic Development applied to FEMA for the grant to help with the long-term disaster recovery. The grant can be used to provide services for up to two years after the disaster declaration, which in this instance would be May 2013.