$6.1 million in funding available for families impacted by the wildfires

BAY COUNTY, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis announced yesterday additional state resources through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to support families impacted by the wildfires in Northwest Florida.

“We are taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to support Northwest Florida,” said DeSantis.

“These resources for residents and businesses will help the resilient people of Northwest Florida get back on their feet as fast as possible. We will continue to provide all available state resources for as long as necessary to ensure the community’s full recovery.”

DEO and Community Action Agencies serving Bay, Calhoun, and Gulf counties have made more than $6.1 million in funding available for families impacted by the wildfires.

This funding will support eligible families with costs associated with temporary relocation including housing, food, and transportation.

DEO is also activating the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of the recent wildfires on businesses in Northwest Florida. Businesses can complete the survey online at FloridaDisaster.biz. By launching this survey, DEO will be able to determine the availability of additional resources, including low-interest loans and grants.

DCF has opened a Family Resource Support Center to assist families impacted by the fires.

DCF’s Family Resource Support Center will serve as a central hub for the community to access much needed resources and supports. DCF staff on hand, including Care Navigators, will connect families with community resources and help them apply for home repair and replacement benefits.

In addition to DCF staff, the Northwest Florida Health Network has mental health professionals on hand to address the mental health needs of the community, including peer support for first responders.

Floridians can call their hotline at 1-888-95-GetHelp (1-888-954-3843) for 24/7 access to a provider in their community or call the Life Management Center Mobile Crisis Team at 1-888-785-8750. The DCF Family Resource Support Center is located at the Bay County Fairgrounds, 2230 East 15th Street, Panama City, Florida 32405.

Available funding for Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is disbursed to local Community Action Agencies by DEO. DEO is working with the Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in Bay, Calhoun, and Gulf counties to provide CSBG and LIHEAP assistance to help impacted individuals and families meet their immediate needs.

For more information about the Community Services Block Grant Program, click here. Information about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is also available here.

Available Resources From DEO:

• $1,298,825.00 in CSBG funding is available to assist eligible income-qualified households in Bay, Calhoun and Gulf counties with attaining the skills, knowledge and motivation necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. Services may include the following:
  • Emergency health
  • Food
  • Housing
  • Debris Removal
  • Repair electrical wiring or gas lines
  • Personal documentation (Driver’s License, ID Cards)
  • Medical Supplies
  • Day Care
  • Transportation Assistance
  • Housing Counseling
  • Financial Management Assistance
  • Nutrition Programs
  • Community Gardening Projects
  • Food Banks
  • Job Counseling
  • Placement and Training Services
  • Homeless Prevention Programs

• $4,868,101.00 in the LIHEAP is available to assist income-qualified families in Bay, Calhoun and Gulf counties with home heating and cooling costs. Services may include the following:
  • Home heating and cooling costs
  • Utility relocation setup and deposits
  • Disaster-related temporary housing
  • HVAC Replacement
  • Generator Purchase
  • Electrical Power Cable Connection

• If you believe you may be eligible, you may contact the CAA serving the county in which you live to learn more about assistance programs.
  • For CSBG assistance, Bay County residents may contact the Tri County Community Action Agency, 302 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, Florida 32425, PH: (850) 547-3689
  • For LIHEAP assistance, Bay County residents may contact the Bay County Council on Aging, 1116 Frankford Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32401, PH: (850) 769-3468
  • Calhoun and Gulf County residents may visit the Capital Area Community Action Agency, 309 Office Plaza Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, PH: (850) 222-2043