Douglas County Reponders First Foundation

Fund Reimbursement Guidelines & FAQ

What is the Douglas County Responders First Foundation?

The Douglas County Responders First Foundation was formed in December 2015 as a result of the Umpqua Community College event on October 1, 2015. It was developed to have a locally controlled and separate organization to be responsible for how donations would be distributed to support out of pocket mental health care costs for our local first responders. Board members created the organizational documents for the Foundation after consulting with national experts and conducting research on what other communities faced following mass tragedies. The Foundation kept three important lessons learned from other communities in mind when developing its structure and mission. This included reserving funds for long-term, unforeseen needs, keeping local control over the distributions, and infusing the process with public input. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Who is eligible to apply for funding?

The following groups of people are eligible for financial assistance for qualified expenses

• Priority will be given to First responders, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement personnel, 911 dispatchers, and their immediate families, involved in the response to the tragedy at the Umpqua Community College (UCC) campus on October 1^st, 2015.
• If additional funds allow, First responders, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement personnel, 911 dispatchers and their immediate families, that have been involved, on the job, in significant traumatic events will also be eligible for funding.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Applicants may be asked to provide documentation from the organization that employed them on 10-1-15.  Please note that these requirements are in place in order to be compliant with IRS regulations governing non-profit organizations. The Foundation will only consider bills for services after October 1^st, 2015.

What type of financial assistance can I receive?

1. Health and mental health care not otherwise covered
2. Rehabilitation, medical devices, home modifications and related needs associated with physical recovery
3. Travel and personal needs costs associated with caring for victims (as defined above) and their families
4. Compensation for other direct costs will be considered on a case by case basis and must be explained in the application process
5. Training, support and capacity building for first responders, such as critical incident crisis response training. This category of financial assistance may be utilized after employer funds have matched or been exhausted.

What documentation must I provide to have eligible expenses paid and where should I submit the information?

Eligible applicants must fill out and submit the DCRF Request form.  The form is easily accessed on the DCRF webpage (www.dcrespondersfirst.com).  Additional documentation may be requested and required.

Applications may also be accessed and sent via mail:   DCRF, PO Box 1166, Roseburg, Oregon 97470

How much financial help can I receive and for how long?

The amounts available per calendar year, per qualified individual) are set by the board annually, based on utilization and fund balance and are subject to change. Amounts for 2016-2017 are up to $1000 per individual.  This is not a guaranteed amount per person and may be decreased or increased on a case-by-case basis.

The amounts available for training are also set by the board annually.  Priority funding will be given to individual needs and training needs and costs will be evaluated by the board on a case-by-case basis. Evaluation of employer support, scale and scope of training and usefulness

How long does it take payments to be processed?

Once the application is completed and received, the application will be presented at the next DCRF Board of Directors meeting.  The board meetings monthly and will make the final decision on funding. If approved, the funds will be processed within two weeks.

What if I have extenuating circumstances and/or financial hardships and still need assistance once my limit has been reached?

For individuals with extenuating circumstances or financial hardships, a review process is in place through the Foundation to consider support once limits have been met.  Cases will be reviewed by the full DCRF board.  Inquiries should be directed to the Board Chair, Greg Marlar (541) 440-7622.

I want to donate money, time or in-kind items to the foundation, who do I talk to and how do I donate?

We are grateful for your donation.  Please visit the website to donate via paypal or contact our board chair, Board Chair, Greg Marlar (541) 440-7622 to talk about how to ensure the most streamlined donation process based on your desires.

For further information about the Foundation please visit our website at:  www.dcrespondersfirst.com