For Immediate Release
June 12, 2020
Contact: Cristina Valdivia Aguilar, cristina.valdivia@cv.ca.gov, (916) 508-9018
California Volunteers Launches New Program
to Provide Critical Support to Camp Fire Survivors
SACRAMENTO – California Volunteers, Office of the Governor today announced $1.1 million in state and federal funds to provide disaster case management services to individuals impacted by the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County. California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and California Volunteers collaborated with local community groups to assess the needs of the Camp Fire survivors and created a unique solution to address gaps in essential services.
“This is another example of the power of service,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “We will never forget the communities devastated by the Camp Fire and will continue to have their backs as they rebuild and recover.”
Administered by the Butte County Department of Employment and Social Services in partnership with the Camp Fire Long Term Recovery Group, and other community organizations, the AmeriCorps Disaster Case Management Program will recruit and deploy up to 57 AmeriCorps members to provide disaster case management services to at least 1,400 individuals impacted by the Camp Fire. The California AmeriCorps program is administered by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, and sponsored in part by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
AmeriCorps members will help expand the capacity of organizations to support more survivors in need by completing client intake, making eligibility determinations, assessing needs, developing a disaster recovery plan, providing referrals to community resources, providing client advocacy, monitoring progress towards completion of recovery plan goals, maintaining documentation, and developing an after-care plan prior to case closure. Members will serve at sites in Paradise, Chico and Oroville and are anticipated to start on July 13, 2020 and will serve through June 30, 2021.
Those interested in becoming an AmeriCorps Member Disaster Case Manager to help Camp Fire survivors can apply at https://go.usa.gov/xwRd3.
“Our office is focused on solving community issues using the power of Californians,” said Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “We are able to provide services to these impacted communities because of the collaboration with the Governor’s Administration, community organizations and local legislators.”
“California continues to be dedicated to assisting the survivors of one of the worst fires in our state’s history,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci. “The public service these AmeriCorps members provide to the community is another vital part of the recovery mission we all serve.”
In addition, the North Valley Community Foundation has contributed a grant of nearly $1.3 million.
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California Volunteers, Office of the Governor is tasked with empowering Californians to take action to improve their communities.