Community Programs
The Massachusetts Coastal Coalition provides several services for communities and their stakeholders. We got our start in community outreach, and is still a place we excel. To schedule any of these programs in your community, reach out to us at outreach@knowflood.org.
Community Outreach And Workshops
Bring flood risk information to your community.
Whether it be a pre or post disaster outreach, informational meeting on flood insurance, or a CRS public meeting, the MCC organizes it all. For about the last 10 years, the MCC has specialized in community outreach to communicate flood hazards, flood insurance, floodplain management issues and more. The MCC can also perform flood workshops, where the MCC and its partners help the residents of a community understand their flood policies, flood risk and answer individualized questions.
Pre and Post Disaster Outreach
The MCC set a precedent in 2018 by hosting pre and post disaster outreaches across Massachusetts in response to the flooding from the winter storms. These outreaches focused on the financial resources available after an event, navigating the claims process, and how to elevate a home. For both pre and post disaster outreaches, the MCC brings in experts including state officials, other non profits and experts in claims and recovery. The outreaches help guide stakeholders through what can be a very difficult time and topic.
New Flood Maps
The MCC has become specialists in guiding a community through changing flood maps. The MCC is nationally recognized in this space, and is called on by communities all over the country to help better understand the implications of what new maps mean. A MCC new flood map outreach helps residents understand the general and specific impacts of a map change, why it happens, and resources to answer specific questions. Similar to the pre and post disaster outreaches, the MCC brings experts in several areas to assist, and each outreach is customized for the community.
General Outreach
Sometimes a community just wants stakeholders and residents to better understand flood risk. This can be an hour long meeting or a full day workshop. The MCC has specialized in this space for almost a decade, and will customize the outreach per the communities needs.
NOTE: Outreach services outside Massachusetts are welcomed and encouraged, but must be scheduled HERE and speaking donation requirements apply
Community Rating System (CRS) Users Groups
Expanding CRS and bringing communities together for better floodplain management.
CRS Users Groups are for those community officials involved in, looking to be involved in, or just interest in learning about different topics relevant to CRS. This includes coming together to talk about CRS best practices, training on specific topics (such as elevation certificates) and more.
Currently, the MCC organizes the South Shore CRS Users Group. The MCC is working to establish a North Shore CRS Users Group. Those interested to participate in a Users Group, please fill out the form HERE or reach out to info@knowflood.org.
What is CRS? The Community Rating System is, in short, according to the CRS User’s Manual, “to support the NFIP. To do this, the CRS provides flood insurance premium rate reductions to policyholders in recognition of the fact that their communities implement activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements and that work toward the three goals of the CRS. Included in this support are measures that credit protection to life and property during a flood”.
CRS has several main goals:
· Reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property.
· Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP.
· Foster comprehensive floodplain management.
CRS both reduces flood premiums for those in the community that implements CRS, and also makes a community more resilient against flooding events.
Hazard Elimination and Loss Prevention (H.E.L.P.) Program
Finally, a one stop shop to elevate a communities most vulnerable structures.
The Hazard Elimination and Loss Prevention program, also known as H.E.L.P., is meant as a full implementation of the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs. The MCC is the team lead for the H.E.L.P. alliance, which consists of the MCC, The Elevated Studio, and Blue Ocean Analytics. Communities that contract the H.E.L.P. alliance to implement the HMA programs (either FMA or HMGP) get a full implementation: Community outreach, stakeholder application completion and screening, community application, and overseeing each grant projects full post award implementation.
HMA requires the community be on board and willing to contract the H.E.L.P. team. For individuals who want to elevate their home without a grant, and independent of the community, or for communities who want parts of the H.E.L.P. program (and not the full implementation), the MCC has a H.E.L.P. "menu" where you can pick which parts you would like assistance with. The H.E.L.P. website and menu is coming soon and a link will be found below.
Continuing Education Programing
The MCC offers continuing education (CEU) courses for real estate and insurance professionals.
The MCC now offers continuing education (CEU) courses for real estate and insurance professionals. The Continuing Education programs vary in length and credits, but are a great addition to an event or stand alone educational need. Here you will find upcoming CEU opportunities, registration links, and courses that can be offered to you and your organization. The MCC only asks for a suggested donation (donation form found here). To request a CEU class, fill out the form below or email us at outreach@knowflood.org.