Colorado Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (COVOAD) is the Colorado state
chapter of National Voluntary Agencies Active in Disasters (NVOAD). COVOAD
consists of organizations active in disaster response that work together in an effort
to facilitate more efficient service delivery to people affected by disasters in
Colorado. In addition to voluntary organizations, COVOAD membership includes
government agencies, businesses and other organizations active in disaster
response.
COVOAD works to support its membership by facilitating planning and coordination
efforts among response and recovery agencies. By working together before
disasters strike, COVOAD member agencies are better positioned to provide more
effective services and minimize duplication.
COVOAD can facilitate access to much needed resources available through its
network of disaster relief agencies with minimal or no cost to your community. The
following are just some of the types of services available through COVOAD
members:
 Management of unsolicited donations
 Management of spontaneous unaffiliated volunteers
 Debris removal
 Construction
 Mental Health
 Spiritual care resources
 Mass care (sheltering/feeding)
 Donations/volunteer support in EOC
 Financial aid
 Child care
 Animal evacuation and sheltering
 Veterinary services
 Food banks
 Transportation
 Information and referral call centers
 Communications
 Case management
 Long-term recovery
It is important to note that COVOAD itself is not a provider of disaster and recovery
services. Its role is to support its members so that they may be more effective in
their efforts.
Over the past year, COVOAD has been busy implementing a newly developed
three-year strategic plan to increase the overall effectiveness of COVOAD so that it
can better support its network of agencies and ultimately facilitate more efficient
service delivery to communities affected by disasters. As a result of the strategic
planning process, four priority areas, or ‘strategic themes’, were identified:
strengthening internal governance; building stronger partnerships with government
agencies and the private sector; improving communication and technology; and
planning and preparedness.
To ensure the goals, objectives, and tasks outlined in the strategic plan are
successfully executed and achieved, sub-committees have been formed for each of
the four strategic themes.
If you are with an agency or organization that is active in disaster response efforts
and would like to learn more about COVOAD, please contact us to find out how your
agency can become involved.
We also encourage interested agencies to attend the next COVOAD meeting on
Friday October 7, 2011, from 1:00 to 2:30, at the American Red Cross, 444
Sheraman St., Denver, CO, 80203:
Contact information for COVOAD:
Deborah Foote, Chair
DeborahFoote@cvmf.org
Jen Poitras, Coordinator
poitras_consulting@me.com
General COVOAD contact info:
coloradovoad@gmail.com
20C-OLO-VOAD