KAHULUI, Hawaii — On Saturday, the Hawaii Department of Human Services hosted an event in Kahului for wildfire survivors to learn more about the Disaster Case Management Program. 

The DCMP connects wildfire survivors with Disaster Case Managers who assess their needs and create a recovery plan, connecting them with resources, providing guidance and more. The DCMs assist survivors for up to five years. 

Last month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided an additional $7.9 million to expand the DCMP, bringing its total funding to $26.8 million and allowing the program to double its reach and serve about 3,000 households at a time. To date, the DCMP has helped more than 5,000 individuals.   

DHS teamed up with 25 community partners for Saturday’s event at the University of Hawaii Maui College. More than 700 people attended, including Maui community members and wildfire survivors. DCMs answered questions and enrolled more than 100 survivors in the program, according to a release.

“The DCMP is making a difference for people every day, and we are actively expanding the program,” said DCMP Director Jen Monaghan in a statement. “We encourage any survivors in need of supports and resources to attend these kinds of outreach events or simply call 211 to enroll in the program immediately."