Already regionally renown for its flood recovery work, SALT earned nationwide attention last week.
Three national leaders in disaster recovery visited Schoharie Area Long Term to observe and learn from the Schoharie Valley's example.
Meeting with SALT leaders were Pastor Joseph Chu, associate program director of Lutheran Disaster Response; Rev. David Myers, director of the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnershps; and Zachary Wolgemuth, associate director of Brethren Disaster Ministries.
The trio toured the area to see the wide-ranging recovery work by SALT, which has been in place for more than a year following Irene's destruction.
Besides touring, the group studied SALT's management efforts. The organization coordinated work and resources between many smaller groups working on recovery in their towns.
SALT wasn't concentrated only in Schoharie. It's been working to get people back in their homes from Prattsville to Esperance.
It was in all of those Valley communities that SALT coordinated recovery work.
"We knew there were so many working in their communities," said SALT Director Sarah Goodrich. "We thought, 'Why reinvent the wheel?' We can support and coordinate workers and money."
She also pointed out that as a larger organization, SALT has been successful in securing more funding than the smaller groups might have done on their own.
The national leaders were impressed.
"Rev. Myers used words like 'wholly dedicated,' 'creative' and 'enterprising,' " Ms. Goodrich said.
"Mr. Zachary called it one of the most well-organized groups he had seen."
And Rev. Chu said "he had never seen such an effective networking group, as effective as any in the nation," Ms. Goodrich added.
SALT has been recognized locally as a leader in recovery. Being praised by national figures in disaster work takes recognition to another level.
"We were very pleased," Ms. Goodrich said. "We felt very reinforced and positive about what we're doing every day."