Since January 1st of 2009, the Colorado Volunteer Mobilizer (CVM) System has grown 29 % from 1400 approved volunteers to 1802 members. Administrators for the system now exist for all 64 counties in the state of Colorado. This increase in volunteers may be attributed to the addition and training of local administrators and clarification of legal protections volunteers have in Colorado statute.
Recently the Division of Mental Health within the Human Services Department of Colorado added 27 mental health groups through the Colorado Crisis Education and Response Network (COCern). COCern is a collaborative effort of mental health, substance abuse and behavioral health responders. With a community of over 600 trained behavioral health responders our CVM census will expand rapidly.
Since the first of the year state and local administrators have sent 97 alerts to volunteers for drills, quarterly test alerts, the H1N1 outbreak in late April/May of 2009. During the week of October 12th another alert was sent to program administrators for advising volunteers on preparedness for the fall flu season. The CVM program will continue to grow by reaching our projected year-end goal of 2000 volunteers in mid-November 2009. Currently, 652 individuals registered within the CVM are members of one of the state medical reserve corps with the remaining 1150 approved volunteers in general volunteer, licensed and certified professional or the public and environmental health groups.
With the new ESAR-VHP grant for September 30, 2009 – September 29, 2010 a new and professional image will be developed for the CVM and MRC programs. Contact with a professional exhibit design group will assist the program with branding and marketing to our specific target audience with materials that appeal to their professional goals and objectives within the Colorado community.
Already in development the completion of the CVM/MRC Response Volunteer Trailer will assist the programs with continued presence in the community and provide credibility for the state upon arrival for drills, training and/or real events.
