Recovery Times FEMA Louisiana December 20, 2005 Vol. 1, Issue 7 Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/ FEMA and the State of Louisiana For disaster-related information, visit www.fema.gov www.louisiana.gov Apply by phone (800) 621-FEMA(3362) TTY:(800) 462-7585 Call 24 hours a day seven days a week Temporary Housing Assistance Several programs are available to help displaced Louisiana residents adjust to temporary housing and surroundings. This issue contains several programs including the Louisiana “Call for Assistance” number, 2-1-1, the Louisiana Economic Development business assistance center, as well information about what to expect at a temporary living center, a list of issues that government and voluntary agencies can help with and details about the Louisiana Recovery Corps, which delivers humanitarian service to displaced Louisianians throughout the state. Be sure to save page four which has important phone numbers and websites where information can be accessed. Helping Children Cope After the Disaster In the aftermath of this year’s hurricanes and flooding, there are a number of things parents and caregivers can do to reduce children’s fear and anxiety: * Take children’s concerns seriously. If they can’t talk about their feelings, encourage them to draw pictures or make up stories or poems to express how they are feeling. * Let them know you want to help. Be a patient listener, no matter how tough it may be. Be honest and open discussing the incident in age-appropriate terms. * Reassure children; never ridicule their fears. Acknowledge that being frightened is okay. * Prepare children before visiting your hurricane-damaged home and neighborhood. Explain, in age-appropriate terms, before the visit, the destruction they may see. Be sure of the structure’s soundness before entering and steer clear of broken glass and other debris when moving through the home. * Make children feel they are a part of the effort to return things to normal. Include them in conversations about what needs to be done. Enlist their help in tasks that are doable for them. Don’t ask them to take on more than they are able to accomplish successfully. Keep to your usual routines as much as possible. * Communication, reassurance and patience are keys to helping children emotionally recover from the disaster. You are not alone. If you feel sad, stressed or angry about what has happened to you, Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for more information. Help for Businesses The Louisiana Economic Development (LED) has established Business Assistance Centers for small businesses impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita. The centers, staffed by volunteer economic development professionals, federal and state government representatives, local economic developers, and private volunteer consultants provide a central location to receive sustainable business planning assistance and recovery information. Services are free. LED is there to help business people who own or represent businesses in LED areas with everything from federal aid packages to SBA applications, and from business relocation tools to business contracts. For more information about LED, call 866-310-7617 or visit www.LEDforward.louisiana.gov. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Business Assistance Center Locations Baton Rouge, Covington Houma, Lake Charles, Metairie New Orleans led.louisiana.gov 1-866-310-7617 Temporary Housing Update More than 1.2 million people are displaced because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As Recovery Times went to press, the number of temporary housing units ready for occupancy was more than 40,000 throughout the affected Gulf states. In Louisiana, 30 parishes have temporary housing in the form of travel trailer (RV) parks. As of Dec. 13, nearly 17,000 travel trailers and mobile homes on private industry, group and commercial sites were occupied. Specific service trailer parks are designated for workers who provide essential services such as law enforcement and fire suppression. In addition, in some locations, homeowners can place trailers on private property while they clean or rebuild. Temporary housing is also available in 2,320 cruise ship units; 10,888 hotel rooms; and 2,881 units of federal housing provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Facilities have been established on several industrial sites to house employees and their families in travel trailers provided by FEMA. This type of housing is crucial to disaster recovery as businesses try to resume work. As of Dec. 13, there were 3,537 units at industrial locations. These sites, like any other RV park, must adhere to environmental review before being approved. More information on securing an industrial site is available through the Louisiana Economic Development, 1-866-310-7617 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Undocumented Immigrants and FEMA Assistance Undocumented immigrants may be eligible for FEMA assistance programs such as crisis counseling, disaster legal services, and/or other shortterm, non-cash, emergency aid as a result of the recent hurricanes storms and flooding. Undocumented immigrants are not personally eligible for FEMA cash assistance programs (Individuals and Households Program), but may apply on behalf of their U.S. citizen children, or Undocumented Immigrants and FEMA Assistance another adult household member who may qualify the household for assistance. Even if you or your family does not qualify for the FEMA Individuals and Households Program, call FEMA at 1-800-621- 3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY for hearing/speech-impaired) for information and to be referred to other programs that can assist you regardless of your immigration status. Factors considered when matching housing needs to available housing options: * The age and number of people in the primary family * The medical and educational needs of family members * The employment needs and specific skills within the family * Pre-storm status (homeowner, renter, public housing) * Whether related family members should be colocated to assist in the relocation and recovery Call 2-1-1 for Disaster-related Assistance The one-stop number for disaster- related assistance is 2-1-1. Referral specialists work from a database of services available from private and public health and human service agencies that are matched to callers’ needs. Information is available for services for everyone from babies to seniors. Referrals include health and human services, job training and other educational programs, financial and transportation assistance. FEMA for Kids Web Site Entertains and Educates Play games, enjoy stories, put together puzzles, go through mazes, watch videos – welcome to FEMA for Kids, the Web site that is all fun and games…sort of. Along with all the fun is good information that makes children and their families better prepared in the event of a disaster. Meet Herman the Spokescrab and tag along on his search for a disasterproof shell. There’s Julia and Robbie, the Disaster Twins, who get into trouble wherever they go. This brother and sister get into and out of all sorts of close calls, learning along the way how to prepare for and avoid danger altogether. The Web site shows that disasters come in many shapes and sizes. Teaching about the many kinds of disasters and how to prepare for them is the goal of the site. The site also has information about keeping family pets safe. Stories from young people who have been through a disaster are highlighted and children of recent disasters can share their stories. FEMA for Kids is a tool for preparedness as well as for recovery. In addition to learning through fun and play, there are resources for teachers and parents. Educational materials are available for classroom or at home. To access the website, go to www.fema.gov/kids and click on FEMA for Kids. Recovery Corps Coordinates Aid from Nonprofits The Louisiana Family Recovery Corps (LFRC), an independent nonprofit, mobilizes and coordinates a network of Louisianabased nonprofit organizations to deliver comprehensive humanitarian service to displaced Louisianans throughout the state. LFRC contracts with Louisianabased nonprofits to deploy trained individuals who work one-on-one with impacted individuals and families and maintain ongoing relationships with families in need. LFRC ensures services are not duplicated with those already available through current state and federal resources. A system of referral services provided under the Louisiana state and federal government programs are comprehensively managed through the LFRC centalized coordination center. For more information, contact LFRC at 225-387-6126; toll-free 877-387-6126; www.recoverycorps.org. Household Hazardous Waste Requires Special Treatment More than one million pounds of household hazardous waste has been collected in Louisiana, the result of damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Materials collected include cleaning products, fuel, paint, garden products, pesticides and herbicides. Although safe when stored under normal circumstances, these products cause environmental problems when not disposed of properly. Curbside collection and/or drop-off locations have been established in affected parishes. Citizens should put electronics, batteries, computer hardware, paint, cleaning solvents and lawn and garden products curbside in separated piles. Leaking containers should be put into plastic bags to prevent spills. Items that will not be picked up include animal manure and carcasses, human waste, and other biological items, needles, spoiled food or damaged items. The Environmental Protection Agency hotline provides tips on household hazardous waste, 1-800-401-1327. Report environmental hazards or incidents at 1-888-763-5424; (Baton Rouge: 225-219-3640). Visit the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Web site at www.deq.louisiana.gov. Make sure disaster aid goes to those who deserve it. If you know of someone making false claims for disaster assistance or attempting to gain money illegally from disaster victims, please call the Hurricane Fraud Hotline: 866-720-5721 Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, contact FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) TTY: 800-462-7585 or contact the state equal rights office. Disaster assistance is still available. Application deadline is Jan. 11, 2006. Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); TTY: 1-800-462-7585 or visit www.fema.gov. Important Contacts FEMA (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or (800) 462-7585 (TTY) www.fema.gov SBA Disaster Helpline (800) 659-2955 Crisis Counseling (800) 273-8255 or (866) 615-8700 Housing Assistance Hotline (800) 762-8740 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST American Red Cross (866) 438-4636 American Red Cross Financial Assistance (800) 975-7585 Salvation Army (800) 725-2769 Disaster Legal Services (800) 310-7029 Department of Social Services Disaster Support Line (888) 524-3578 Find Family National Call Center (866) 326-9393 U.S. Postal Service (800) 275-8777 Social Security (800) 772-1213 (800) 325-0778 (TTY) For information on … Shelters, food, clothing, baby items, health and dental care dial 2-1-1 Important Louisiana Web Sites City of New Orleans Information Hotline: (877) 286-6431 ......................................................................... www.cityofno.com City of Lake Charles ................................................................ www.cityoflakecharles.com Office of the Governor ............................................................ www.gov.louisiana.gov Hurricane Katrina Web site ..................................................... www.katrina.louisiana.gov Department of Agriculture and Forestry ................................ www.ldaf.louisiana.gov Office of the Attorney General ............................................... www.ag.state.la.us Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism .................. www.crt.louisiana.gov Department of Health and Hospitals ...................................... www.dhh.louisiana.gov Department of Revenue ........................................................... www.revenue.louisiana.gov Department of Natural Resources .......................................... www.dnr.louisiana.gov Office of the Secretary of State .............................................. www.sos.louisiana.gov Department of Social Services ................................................ www.dss.louisiana.gov Department of Transportation and Development .................. www.dotd.louisiana.gov Department of the Treasury .................................................... www.treasury.louisiana.gov Department of Wildlife and Fisheries .................................... www.wlf.louisiana.gov Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness ................ www.ohsep.louisiana.gov Office of Youth Development ................................................. www.oyd.louisiana.gov Division of Administration ..................................................... www.doa.louisiana.gov Department of Corrections ...................................................... www.doc.louisiana.gov Department of Civil Service ................................................... www.dscs.louisiana.gov Department of Education ........................................................ www.doe.louisiana.gov Department of Public Safety ................................................... www.dps.louisiana.gov