Our Mission
The Long-Term Flood Recovery Group is a collaborative team of community leaders, local and state officials, representatives from affected communities, FEMA, non-profits and others who manage the Foothills Flood Relief Fund. This group will assess the greatest unmet needs of individuals in Boulder and Broomfield counties and determine priorities for funding recovery efforts. The collaboration is designed to strategically align all available resources, including volunteers, material donations and alternative funding into a “one-stop shop” for residents.
To be eligible for assistance, residents must have suffered losses in the 2013 Flood. Residents must meet with Long-Term Flood Recovery Group case managers, who will assess situations, identify resources and refer residents to possible sources of assistance, including any funds available from the LTFRG. The group will continue fund raising efforts in order to meet anticipated community needs.
Foothills United Way, in coordination with many local entities distributed and committed approximately $1 million dollars from the Foothills Flood Relief Fund to immediate and intermediate flood relief needs in Boulder and Broomfield counties. Immediate needs included food, housing, childcare and relief for nonprofit organizations unable to provide health and human services to people impacted by the 2013 Flood. Foothills Flood Relief Fund investments are listed on Foothills United Way website.
Goals and Objectives
The LTFRG is currently working on implementing a system to determine unmet needs throughout the two counties and develop a case management program in partnership with national Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD). One of the major responsibilities of the group is setting up logistics and planning for the recruitment, training and supervision of long-term recovery case managers who will identify resources and refer residents to possible sources of assistance, including funds available from the Foothills Flood Relief Fund.
Financial assistance is not the only type of aid the group intends to provide. Identifying current housing options for residents with immediate housing needs is an important aspect of the group as well as working with local agencies and volunteer groups to determine where, and how, donated or reduced-cost building materials and labor may be used by affected residents. The LTFRG also plans to help with rebuilding assessments of damaged homes. Volunteer help is a major asset to families needing help rebuilding, removing debris or other major projects. Being the logistical link between local or national volunteer groups and the residents who need donated physical labor is part of the group’s goals. This group will be charged with identifying volunteer needs and pairing them with available volunteer groups.
Securing resources throughout the area to help residents affected by the floods to find mental and emotional support while rebuilding and recovering is of the utmost value and will be addressed in this group.
Finally, creating a sense of community resiliency and engagement is an important role after a disaster of this magnitude. Creating a vision for how to rebuild our communities stronger and better including cultural landmarks, business community, nonprofits, parks and other community infrastructure is part of the long-term recovery plan.