Help Available for Survivors of California 2018 Fire Disasters

Published:

SACRAMENTO – A newly launched assistance program offers help for people who need resources to recover from the wildfire disasters that struck late in 2018 in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP) is working to connect fire survivors with resources to help them recover. Trained case managers can help disaster survivors find assistance with food, clothing, health care, employment and more.

This program is available to those affected by two major wildfires:

  • The Camp Fire in Butte County, which began November 8, 2018, caused at least 85 deaths, and burned more than 153,000 acres, including most of the town of Paradise.
  • The Woolsey Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, which began the same day, caused three deaths, and burned nearly 97,000 acres.

This program is being operated by local nonprofits through a federal disaster grant, administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), in partnership with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

“Case managers help fire survivors develop a personalized plan for recovery,” said CDSS Director Kim Johnson. “The goal is to assist survivors to identify what support they need to recover from the wildfire, then link them directly to assistance for their unique situations.”

To request assistance, fire survivors should contact the nonprofit serving their region:

  • In Northern California, contact Northern Valley Catholic Social Services of Chico at 1-800-339-8336, or via email at Campfire-casemgt@nvcss.org.
  • In Southern California, contact Catholic Charities at 855-562-FIRE (3473).

DCMP case managers can identify resources and assist survivors to access a wide array of services and supports, including but not limited to:

  • Behavioral Health Services
  • Furniture and Appliances
  • Child and Youth Services
  • Health Insurance
  • Clothing
  • Housing
  • Durable Medical Equipment
  • Legal Referral Services
  • Employment
  • Senior Services
  • Financial Assistance
  • Transportation
  • Food

The Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire DCMP will be available through November 12, 2020.

For more information about DCMP, please contact the nonprofit serving as provider agency for your area of California:

Northern California (Camp Fire):

Northern Valley Catholic Social Service – Chico
10 Independence Circle
Chico, CA 95973
1-800-339-8336
Campfire-casemgt@nvcss.org

Southern California (Woolsey Fire):

Catholic Charities
1-855-562-FIRE (3473)

Further inquires should be directed to Adam Weintraub at 916-657-2268.

4 Comments

  1. Victoria

    Direct cash. That is the assist most need right now. Desperately.

    Reply
  2. John

    dont waste your time. I emailed them and boom got a response back

    “Thank you for your email. If you are contacting us to register for disaster
    case management services, we are currently not accepting new applications.
    Please contact Butte 2-1-1 by dailing 211 (if you are in Butte County) or
    by calling 1-866-916-3566, to be placed on the community queue to be
    assigned a case manager.”

    So I called the new number given and well its a 6 week wait to have someone call me back to take a app and then could be a few more months to wait more…

    One more complete waste of time.

    Reply
  3. Diana Dew

    Well the CASE MANAGEMENT gal that came out to my new Gridley FEMA housing site came on a thursday to my daughters unit but it was the wrong day I explained that thursdays are not possible for my daughter there have been a miscomunication. So she made appointment to come the following day, Friday with my daughter and my husband & myself right after. But no call no show. Later I received a text from her stating she couldn’t come all the way out here for only one person could she call me on Saturday. Well of course I texted back. But what about my daughter’s appointment ? and mine? that’s 2 of us right there. We never heard back. I really could use some help right now I’m feeling trapped, broke no income, stuck, I never know when I’m gonna have to move again. I need help I’m really getting discouraged and depressed. I want to talk to a counsellor. I’m crying everyday again and people don’t want to hear about displaced Camp Fire Survivors any more. I didn’t ask for this to happen to me. I don’t believe in begging or charity I just want to go home to what is mine again. This is such a nightmare. Don’t let me get started about the NIGHTMARES. Please contact me again. I need a case manager to help us.

    Reply
  4. Kelly

    California has made a fortune burning down our homes and forests. I’ve been asking for help from every place that received money to help fire victims. Im still homeless.

    Reply

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