The recently formed Caldwell County Long Term Recovery Group is looking for volunteers to serve as disaster case managers who can help our neighbors navigate the long-term recovery process following the December 10 tornado.
Officials with the Caldwell County group say Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Owensboro, which covers parishes in western Kentucky including St. Paul Catholic Church in Princeton, has stepped up to serve local tornado victims by handling case management for the newly formed local long term recovery group. However, community volunteers are needed to serve as case managers.
Director of Catholic Charities, Susan Montalvo-Gesser says in a release they are looking for organized, empathetic volunteers to be trained in Disaster Case Management. She says volunteers will be part of a team with Catholic Charities and possibly serve on a Long Term Case Management Team in your county.
Officials indicate volunteers will be provided free training, supervision and guidance on case management by Catholic Charities staff.
Once trained, officials say a volunteer disaster case manager will serve tornado survivors and their families through advocacy, information and referral, crisis intervention services and recovery services.
According to officials with the Catholic Charities, those interested must have a high school diploma or GED, good interpersonal skills and plenty of empathy.
Montalvo-Gesser says Caldwell County may have retired social workers or retired teachers who want to be trained as case managers, but she adds anyone can be trained for disaster case management. She says what really matters is that you have a heart for people and the time to listen and be there for them.
Officials say training is completed online, and Catholic Charities has scheduled its next training for Saturday, March 12. Those interested in training for disaster case management need to call Catholic Charities at (270) 683-1545 and speak with Alyssa, Charlotte or Alex.
Montalvo-Gesser says once you call them, they will give you a link to log in for training on March 12.
She notes if there is enough interest, Catholic Charities will host another online training in the coming weeks.
Montalvo-Gesser adds that several residents of Hopkins County have completed the Disaster Case Management Training to work alongside Catholic Charities in Dawson Springs and hopes to see the same volunteer effort in Caldwell County.
