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LESSONS of RECOVERY, A REViEW of Tin 1997 COLORAdo Flood DisASTER Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program J When the scope and long-term nature of mental health problems among flood victims in Larimer County became obvious, the Colorado Department of Human Services, Mental Health Services, applied for and received a $104,416 grant on behalf of Larimer County. A subcontract was provided to the Larimer County Mental Health Center and the nine-month crisis counseling effort -- christened as Project Rebound to foster a positive approach to the difficult task of providing outreach mental health services to flood victims -- began on November 17, 1997 with six paid staff members and a student intern. FEMA funded 100 percent of the Project Rebound budget and provided ongoing technical support in coordination with Colorado Mental Health Services (MHS) and the National Center for Mental Health Services. The MHS Disaster Coordinator helped to write the grant application and consulted with the Project Rebound coordinator and staff on a regular basis. Project Rebound staff members provided a variety of services, including outreach, individual crisis counseling, group crisis counseling, screening, education and information, and referrals to more intensive mental health therapy and to other services. Project Rebound surpassed its initial goals by contacting and providing some type of service to 3,281 individuals. Although family and friends of those killed and the former residents of the mobile home parks were a primary focus, the staff also provided services to schools, CSU faculty and students, the business community, and other area residents. Project Rebound staff also sponsored a reunion of mobile home park residents and provided consultation to City of Fort Collins staff on the one-year anniversary commemoration. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program I The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, or HMGP, (Section 404 of the Stafford Act) provides for a post- disaster mitigation fund equal to 15 percent of the total federal share of grant assistance provided for a specific disaster. The program is administered at the state level and supported by 75 percent federal funding of the eligible costs of local and state mitigation projects (the 25% state or local match may be in-kind, cash or a combination of the two). The principal objective of the program is to facilitate the implementation of hazard mitigation measures in the immediate recovery phase following a disaster. Individual projects must be cost-effective and designed to substantially solve an identified problem, rather than just analyzing or studying the hazard. FEMA retains the authority for final review and approval of state-recommended projects. The Flood Control and Floodplain Management Section of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) administered the grant program in coordination with the State Hazard Mitigation Officer, Colorado Office of Emergency Management (OEM). CWCS staff provide engineering technical assistance to local governments beginning during the response phase and continuing through the process of identifying and implementing recommended projects. The process followed by CWCS and Colorado OEM after the 1997 floods is as follows: (1) conduct applicant briefing to explain the program to local officials, (2) solicit applications from interested local jurisdictions, and (3) establish a review committee to prioritize and recommend projects for FEMA approval. Unlike other federal disaster programs, eligibility for HMGP was not limited to declared counties (all 63 counties were potentially eligible for HMGP assistance). , COlORAdo OFfiCE of EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 23