Louisiana Office of Community Development - Disaster Recovery (LOCD-DR)

From all of us at the Louisiana Office of Community Development – Disaster Recovery, Merry Christmas! Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season.

The holiday spirit is alive and well at LOCD-DR! Our team went all out for this year's Christmas Cubicle Contest. From National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation to The Grinch, from the magical Polar Express to Elf - our team showcased their creativity by turning Christmas classics to life. Congratulations to our Finance and Reporting Department for taking Best Overall with their amazing Home Alone-themed display!

NEW TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Welcome to the team, Nicolette Brown! Nicolette joins LOCD-DR’s Legal Division, working primarily with the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program. Previously working for the U.S. Small Business Administration, she brings invaluable experience in the disaster relief field. Outside of work, Nicolette loves spending time with family and friends, shopping, attending live concerts and collecting vinyl records. We’re so excited to have you, Nicolette!

In November, the Louisiana Watershed Initiative celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the Horseshoe Canal Hardening Project, a $1.9 million flood risk reduction project aimed at improving stormwater drainage routes and water flow. The project, which will reduce potential flood-related property damage and the need for elevated homes along the Horseshoe Canal, joins more than 75 projects funded in recent years by LWI to reduce flood risk throughout Louisiana. Since the completion of the project, the city experienced rain events in which the additional culvert has helped to improve flow of the water and drainage in the area. LWI looks forward to continuing to see its projects make impact in flood risk reduction across Louisiana. #OnsiteWithLOCDDR

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Meet LOCD-DR’s Shavonda Chriss! Finance Analyst Shavonda Chriss dedicates her weekends to watching her son Zeon play football for the University of Houston Cougars. A proud mother, Shavonda balances her work on LOCD-DR’s finance team with supporting her son's athletic pursuits, often traveling to Houston to cheer him on from the sidelines.

LOCD-DR’s Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program is helping homeowners throughout the state rebuild and recover while implementing resilient building practices to strengthen homes against future disasters. To do this, LOCD-DR adheres to FORTIFIED Gold building standards for all Restore Louisiana program-managed reconstruction projects, making homes more resistant to high winds. Following Hurricane Francine, homeowner Rose Guillot is grateful for how her brand-new FORTIFIED home – built through the Restore Louisiana program which LOCD-DR launched in response to 2020-21 disasters – stood up during the storm. Learn more about the Restore Louisiana program: https://lnkd.in/gYmJcZt7 Learn more about FORTIFIED standards: https://lnkd.in/dA6j3Uww

Happy Thanksgiving from LOCD-DR! Earlier this month, our team gathered for a Thanksgiving potluck, where we shared delicious homemade dishes. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday filled with joy, warmth and good company!

Congratulations to LOCD-DR’s Layla Argrave for her recent promotion to Compliance Specialist! Previously serving as Compliance Analyst, Layla has made a significant impact on the LOCD-DR team. Outside the office, Layla enjoys reading, playing beach volleyball, and competing in rugby. We look forward to her continued excellence and leadership in this new role!

LOCD-DR is committed to creating a safer and stronger Louisiana by implementing resilient practices to mitigate future disaster impacts. Through the launch of the Restore Louisiana Buyout Program (voluntary), we’re helping eligible residents with properties in floodways to move to safer ground while creating natural flood barriers to protect our communities. Learn more about the Solution 4 program: https://lnkd.in/g-QZSYrT

A big congrats to LOCD-DR team member Izzy Dillard for being promoted to Compliance Specialist! Previously, Izzy served as a Compliance Analyst learning the ins and outs of the disaster recovery world. Outside of work, Izzy loves to read, volunteer at her dad’s church and spend time with family. Congratulations, Izzy! We’re lucky to have you.