The fire not only destroyed forest and structures but the emotional security of the residents. Foothills United Way is spearheading an initiative to provide mental health support to the residents through a voucher program supported by its fundraising efforts.
Voucher Program
The Fourmile Recovery Fund at Foothills United Way is providing mental health vouchers for any individual directly affected by the Fourmile Canyon Fire. These vouchers can be used by anyone who lost a home or who lived in either Sunshine Canyon, Sugarloaf, Gold Hill, or Four Mile Canyon burn areas at the time of the fire (September , 2010). Foothills United Way’s intention is to help those with financial limitations receive the mental health services/emotional support they need.
The details of the program are as follows:
- Mountain residents are able to work with the mental health practitioner of their choice, provided their practitioner is willing to contract directly with Foothills United Way with a client/practitioner contract form (pdf) we provide.
- Mountain residents need to provide valid identification to verify they lived in the burn area at the time of the Fourmile Canyon Fire.
- Mental health services* must be provided by an established mental health practitioner. Practitioners must be formally licensed, or listed with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies as a registered practitioner and have an established practice. A list of practitioners can be found here.
- The mental health practitioner will contract directly with Foothills United Way and present us with an invoice for services rendered. It is possible that a resident may choose more than one practitioner. The total amount allowed through the voucher is not to exceed $500 per individual or $1500 per households with children. The individual can choose to pay for services independently thereafter.
- Patient and Practitioner information is completely confidential.
*Mental health services include trauma therapy modalities, one on one and family counseling. Due to the restraints of available funding, vouchers do not extend to massage therapists or chiropractors.
If you would like to receive a voucher, please contact Amy Hardy, Fourmile Recovery Resource Coordinator (ahardy@unitedwayfoothills.org or 303-895-3418) with your name and address (at the time of the fire), and the contact information of the practitioner(s) you would like to use.
This program is only valid while funds are available.
