Emergency Resources for Families and Organizations
Emergency Resources for Families and Organizations
DISASTER RESOURCES
Many resources are available to assist families as they plan for a disaster. Below are links to some that may be useful in a planning process for families.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency web site has information on current and past disasters, applying for assistance, maps, and libraries of information and resources for disaster
planning, response, and recovery. They also have a special web site (www.fema.gov/kids/) just for kids.
www.fema.gov
American Red Cross is home to a broad base of information relating to planning and response to disasters. The site has resources as well as specific information for communities after a disaster strikes.
www.redcross.org/pubs/dspubs/cde.html
National Weather Service web site offers easy to understand information relating to weather and can be a resource to assist families in understanding and planning for natural disasters.
www.nws.noaa.gov/education.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on a variety of disasters and with planning and response guidance. It also has additional links to assist organizations helping families prepare and respond to disasters.
www.bt.cdc.gov/
Iowa Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health has disaster information targeted to families of children with special needs, including those with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. For more information, contact Iowa Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health at 1-888-400-6302 or (319) 462-2187 or (319) 821-0702 or e-mail lori@iffcmh.org.
www.iffcmh.org
RECOVERY RESOURCES
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org or 1-800-HELP-NOW
America's Second Harvest: www.secondharvest.org for hunger relief or 1-800-344-8070
Catholic Charities: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org or 1-800-919-9338
Church World Services: www.churchworldservice.org or 1-800-297-1516
Salvation Army: www.salvationarmyusa.org
Feed the Children: www.feedthechildren.org or 1-800-525-7575
Operation Blessing: www.operationblessing.org for hunger relief or 1-800-730-2537
United Methodist Committee on Relief: www.umcor.org or 1-800-554-8583
Noah's Wish: www.noahswish.org for rescue and shelter for animals during disasters or (530) 622-9313
Convoy of Hope: www.convoyofhope.org for general disaster relief or (417) 823-8998
Samaritan's Purse: www.samaritanspurse.org for general disaster relief or 1-800-567-8183
EDUCATION
Many state education agencies and local school districts are providing guidance to schools on enrolling children displaced by the hurricane. Contact your state education agency or go online to learn what resources are in place in the aftermath of the disaster.
FEDERAL PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION
www.hhs.gov
www.ready.gov
FOOD STAMPS
The Food and Nutrition Service, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, established the process and protocol for distribution of food stamps after a disaster.
www.fns.usda.gov
GENERAL DISASTER RELIEF
There are several agencies to contact to find out what assistance may be available for some one who is a victim of a Hurricane Katrina or any other natural disaster:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which provides assistance for people whose homes were damaged or destroyed by a disaster and assistance for people who lost their jobs as a result of a disaster. FEMA and other federal, state, local, and volunteer agencies offer disaster assistance in several forms.
www.fema.gov/press/2005/resources_katrina.shtm
To learn more visit the Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals:
www.fema.gov/about/process
To register see Register for Disaster Assistance online:
www.fema.gov/register.shtm
An online resource site for disaster information and assistance allows individuals to apply for disaster assistance PLUS has disaster preparedness guides, links to various disaster agencies and organizations, and much more.
www.disasterhelp.gov
American Red Cross:
www.redcross.org/where/where.html
The Salvation Army's Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) -- SATERN is usually activated to help individuals send a health and welfare request regarding family and friends they otherwise are unable to locate. You can access SATERN on the Salvations Army's Web site at:
www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
A wide range of hazards, including downed power lines and possible exposure to fungi or toxins, can exist after a disaster has occurred. Those involved in cleanup and recovery efforts, homeowners, and business owners may find the following information helpful. For general information, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have published information on hazards of natural disaster cleanup work and emergency response resources. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published information specific to cleanup after a flood. And the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have published information on workers' safety following hurricanes. National Institutes of Health is offering telephone consultation services for primary care providers of patients in the Katrina Disaster zone. Call 1-866-887-2842.
HIPAA INFORMATION
HIPAA Privacy Rule allows covered entities to share patient information to assist in disaster relief efforts, and to assist patients in receiving the care they need. This information you can readily access from the OCR web site.
www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
HOUSING
HUD generally has information regarding housing: www.hud.gov
INSURANCE ASSISTANCE
Consumers are encouraged to contact their insurance carrier for assistance with questions about claims or their policies. Individual Insurance Company Contact info:
www.disasterinformation.org/findins.htm
MAIL SERVICE
National Mail Service Updates: www.usps.com/communications/news/serviceupdates.htm
MEDICAID/MEDICARE SERVICES
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services try to assure that the Medicare, Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Programs will flex to accommodate the emergency health care needs of beneficiaries and medical providers in devastated areas. Many of the programs’ normal operating procedures will be relaxed to speed provision of health care services to the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities who depend upon them. Visit the CMS web site at www.cms.gov for the latest information regarding services. Updates are provided on the CMS web site daily.
MILITARY COUNSELING
Any military members or families in need of information and or counseling may call the Military OneSource: (1-800-342-9647) or www.militaryonesource.com user name: military; password OneSource.
PETS
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is equipped to respond to the needs of all animals including pets, horses, farm animals, and wildlife. For more, go to www.hsus.org/
SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS AND PAYMENTS
Go to the web site for information on SSI and SSDI: www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency/
For more information on the nearest open Social Security office, you can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
STATE SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Most states have Emergency Preparedness Programs that can be located from the state’s official web site. These sites provide critical, state specific information that will be useful for families.
