Contact Assistance & Referral Program (CARE) Outline

Registration to the program may be completed by the individual themselves or a family member living outside the city. The program will be activated under the following conditions:

1. The Heat Index, combination of air temperature and relative humidity exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit for two consecutive days.
2. The air temperature falls below five degrees Fahrenheit for two consecutive days.
3. There is a snow accumulation of 6 inches within a 24 hours period.
4. Any other weather condition exists that threatens the health and safety of individuals.

To register for the program contact the Valparaiso Police Department at 219-462-2135 or download this registration form and return it to the Valparaiso Police Department at 355 S Washington St, Valparaiso Indiana 46383. For additional questions about the program contact Sgt. Michael Grennes at mgrennes@valpopd.com or 219-462-2135.

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Contact Assistance & Referral Program (CARE) Outline

1. Purpose

The purpose of this General Order is to establish the Contact, Assistance and Referral Program (CARE), and provide guidelines and procedures for contacting and assisting seniors and other individuals or groups that may be at risk due or may be more sensitive or vulnerable to extreme weather or other conditions. This program is designed to assist seniors and special needs individuals that do not have immediate family members to assist them if special needs arise during extreme weather conditions.

2. Policy

Once the program is activated, it will be the policy of the department to attempt communication with the individuals assigned to the CARE Program. This communication will be done through the telephone or in person, If a health or safety concern exists the appropriate organization will be contacted to assist in resolving the safety/health concern.  This may include using outside resources to locate fans or other means of cooling during periods of extreme heat, arranging for snow removal, transportation for appointments at health care facilities, or delivery of food, water, or medications. Referrals will be made to the appropriate agency for any level of assistance that cannot be directly provided by the department.

3. Procedure

The Community Relations Division will be responsible for maintaining an adequate number of worksheets in the records department. Worksheets will contain contact list information, the date and time of contact, and the results of contact. Upon completion worksheets will be forwarded to the Community Relations Division for filing.

When the program is activated the Community Relations Division, assisted by the VIPs Organization and/or other local organizations will be attempting to contact every individual or their alternate point of contact, emergency contacts. The worksheets will be passed on during shift changes as necessary to complete this process. If all attempts at contact fail, we will then send an officer to their residence to attempt to make contact with the person.

Using the department’s media contacts including newspapers, Valpo Alert System and local radio Valparaiso residents (must live within the city limits) who wish to participate in the Valparaiso Care Program will be required to register their information with the department. This will be done by completing a CARE Program worksheet and returning it to the Valparaiso Police Department. A worksheet may be completed and submitted by a family member or concerned organization. 

4. Activating the CARE Program

The CARE program will be activated anytime any one of the following conditions exist:

1. The Heat Index, a combination of air temperature and relative humidity exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit for two consecutive days.
2. The air temperature falls below five degrees Fahrenheit for two consecutive days.
3. There is a snow accumulation of 6 inches within a 24 hour period.
4. Any other weather condition exists that threatens the health and safety of identified individuals or groups. These may include but will not be limited to;
• Earthquakes
• Severe thunderstorms
• Ice storms
• Heavy rains/flooding
• Damaging winds
5. Other Conditions that may threaten the health or safety of the identified individuals or groups such as;
• Power outages
• HazMat spills/incidents
• Other natural or manmade catastrophic events
6. At the direction of the Emergency Management Coordinator during periods when the Emergency Operations Center has been activated.
7. At the direction of the Director of Public Safety/Chief Law Enforcement Officer, or any division Commander.
8. The Valparaiso Care Program will be coordinated through the Community Relations Division Coordinator.    

The Community Relations Division will be responsible for activating the program when these conditions exist.

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