There was a lot to be discussed at Wednesday’s Boundary Flood Recovery Update Meeting. The long awaited Case Managers were one big discussion. Five hand picked community members will champion for the unmet needs of individual residences, acting as advocates.
Boundary Family Services Executive Director Darren Pratt says the initial assessments took place in July and August. “They came into your homes and heard your trauma and your narrative and you shared that with them, unfortunately that data is all stale now. So as we work forward trying to get more services in the community weather it’s for wellness, economics, mental health, physical health, the Province once again says we need more data and that comes from the Case Managers.”
The Case Manager Deputy Team Leader is Rachel Warriner, and the rest are Teresa Taylor, Temeeka Guy, Petra Nielsen, and Christopher Stevenson. One avenue these Managers will be able to assist in is regarding mental health.
Boundary Family Services Executive Director Darren Pratt says we have to look out for each other. “Please if you feel that you have yourself or somebody in your circle that requires more immediate attention, please either call the Flood Recovery Centre or Boundary Family Services and we will connect you with a case manager ,we are dong this on a priority basis so if you have a concern like a neighbour who has been isolated for weeks”
Discussions around potential buyouts became heated, but it was agreed efforts to lock-down timelines would continue. Another hot topic was Keystone housing appraisals. Flood impacted residents can expect to be contacted for housing appraisals and should update their contact information with the Recovery Team if necessary.
Recovery Manager Graham Watt says they’re expected to begin in a few weeks. “What there will be is basically a questionnaire about your home and what it was before the damage, what the improvements are and that kind of thing. There will be a site visit followup, and if the site is not safe to be on or that kind of thing they’ll want to talk to you on the phone, in person, and this will probably be happening in two to three weeks from now.”
The purpose is to assist in determining the pre-flood and post-flood value of homes, but you’re urged to wait until the Recovery Team gives the go-ahead, and releases further information. A paper version of questionnaires will be available at City Hall. The next Recovery Update goes Thursday, December 13th, at The River Valley Community Church. Also, The Red Cross Flood Support Centre that was located at 7425 5th Street has moved to the Flood Recovery Centre at 7291 Riverside Drive.
To read about the last Update Meeting click here.
To learn more click here.