Published: July 22, 2008 10:26 pm            

Flood aid coalition seeking coordinator

TERRE HAUTE — A coalition that seeks to help Wabash Valley flood victims is searching for a coordinator, a temporary position that would last a minimum of 12 months.

The Wabash Valley Long-Term Disaster Recovery Coalition seeks a person proficient in various computer applications, able to understand related regulations for disaster recovery services and funds, and has ability to organize and communicate clearly, both in writing and verbally.

“We need someone who can give the time and attention. Most of us in this coalition are thinking about other full-time jobs most of the time,” said Beth Tevlin, executive director of the Community Foundation of the Wabash Valley and co-chairwoman of the coalition.

Tevlin said the salary range, based on experience, is $40,000 to $60,000. The newly formed coalition, which covers five counties declared as part of a statewide natural disaster in June, is eligible for $100,000 per county from the United Way of the Wabash Valley, plus further assistance starting in September. The funds are from the Lilly Endowment Inc., which last month designated $45 million to the Indiana Association of United Ways for flood relief.

Applications for director are available at the coalition’s new blog spot at wvltdrc.blogspot.com.

About 50 members of the coalition met Tuesday in Ryves Hall in Terre Haute, with the coalition forming five committees to provide assistance in areas such as volunteer, coordination, construction and donations; case management and housing; spiritual, emotional and mental health; communications; and a steering committee.

The coalition, which already has volunteers for Clay and Vigo counties, is seeking volunteers to be case managers in Vermillion, Parke and Sullivan counties to find out what services, such as rebuilding homes, are needed. The coalition also will seek a case management coordinator, a position that also may have to be hired, said Troy Fears, executive director of the Wabash Valley United Way and coalition co-chairman.

Gerald Harfoot, a Federal Emergency Management Agency volunteer agency liaison, said a case manager for the coalition could have access to the Coordinated Assistance Network that would link to FEMA records on who has been assisted. Those records are not public because of federal privacy laws.

Individuals or groups seeking to volunteer should call Jessica Wozny at the United Way of Wabash Valley at (812) 235-6287. Individuals needing assistance should call Vigo County Lifeline at 211 in Vigo County; people with Time Warner Cable telephones should use (812) 235-8333; and in other counties use 1-877-377-LIFE(5433).

Harfoot said that more than $27.9 million in small-business loans has been awarded in the Wabash Valley. Harfoot said about 4,000 applicants have been individually helped in the five-county area, with the most in Vigo County at 3,004. Vigo County residents have received $8.5 million in FEMA individual assistance, which has a maximum of $28,800. People can still apply for FEMA assistance through Aug. 11.

Sullivan County has 151 applicants that have received more than $220,000; Clay with 331 at more than $664,000; Vermillion at 231 with more than $381,000; and Parke County at 96 with more than $153,500.

Fears told coalition members that a workshop on long-term recovery tools and training is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1 at Ivy Tech Community College, 7999 U.S. 41 South, sponsored by the Church World Service, along with other agencies such as FEMA, Coordinated Assistance Network, Indiana Association of United Ways, Lutheran Disaster Response and Christian Reformed World Relief Committee.

The coalition will meet again at 9 a.m. next Tuesday in Maryland Community Church, 4700 S. State Road 46.

Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.

        

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