"Meeting the unmet needs of individuals and their families during the time of declared disasters."

About Seminole HEART

During and immediately following disasters, it is critical that a collaborative effort be established between government and the private non-profit community. Volunteer organizations, interfaith groups, social service organizations, community action agencies and locally based state agencies all come together to define a complete assistance package for those impacted by the disaster.

The HEART in Seminole HEART stands for Home-based Emergency Assistance Response Team. Seminole HEART helps survivors of declared disaster through case management, preparedness, and recovery assistance. 

History

Following the spring tornadoes and summer fires of 1998, Seminole County faith, non-profit, and government organization leaders came together to create the Long-Term Recovery Committee, Seminole HEART. The group’s mission was to serve the residents in the time of a federally declared natural or man-made disaster. Seminole HEART set out to aid people in need and provide relief for the “body, soul and person.”

Seminole HEART aided in the COVID-19 response by providing food to those in isolation and hosting testing and vaccine sites. Currently, Seminole HEART is assisting in recovery efforts for Hurricanes Ian and Nicole to resolve unmet needs by tapping into local volunteer organziations, coordinating resources, and utilizing available disaster grant funding.

Seminole HEART coordinates and provides access to resources at the local level and utilizes an organizational structure of local member agencies to access non-local resources

Meetings

Seminole HEART meets quarterly from 6:00-7:00pm.  These meetings bring together non-profit, faith-based, and local government organizations in preparation for all disasters. The Seminole HEART Board of Directors meets directly before the meeting from 5:00-6:00pm.

The meetings are workshop-format, focusing on different topics, and are held at Seminole County Emergency Operations Center. For meeting details, please call Seminole County Emergency Management at 407-665-5102.