Below is a list of local
and national phone
numbers and Web sites. You can find continually updated
information
and resources for survivors of Hurricane Katrina and their friends and
families.
Most of these resources are available whether persons were affected
by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita.
Subscribe to Resource Talk, Crisis Clinic’s free e-newsletter, to
receive critical resource updates
for King County. Please visit
http://www.crisisclinic.org/newsletters/signup.html
Latest Resources Updates (August 21, 2006)
Since our last update providing the list of disaster relief counseling programs, we have received a master list of
Katrina Aid Today agencies—a national consortium of case management agencies assisting Katrina survivors.
These case managers are available for non-crisis callers who have been affected by Katrina.
Callers looking for resources or needing help applying for aid can speak with one of KAT’s case managers.
Please see the attached PDF document entitled “Katrina_Aid_Today_Agencies_Master_List.pdf” for a list
sorted by State and agency category. In addition to the KAT directory, you will also find the PDF version
of the disaster relief crisis counseling programs Click Here to view a copy.
And a new, print-ready PDF version of a PSA and/or flyer to address difficulty coping with recent disasters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
American Red Cross
"What's the Next Step?" - Assistance from the American Red Cross is meant to provide for your short-term needs until you
receive help from FEMA and other sources. This guide has been created to give you information about the next steps in
receiving help for you and your family. Click Here to view a copy of this guide online.
FEMA - (Guide Last Updated on 12/20/2005)
This Relief and Recovery Assistance Guide put out by FEMA offers extremely useful information regarding multiple issues.
Click here for the HTML version, or Click here for the MS Word version.
Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event
This page, located at the Centers for Disease Control's Web site, includes information on general strategies
for promoting mental health and resilience that have been developed by various organizations based on experiences
in prior disasters. While each individual is affected differently by a disaster, certain groups may share common experiences
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth
Department of Health and Human Services
Offers a toll-free hotline for people in crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. By dialing (800) 273-TALK (8255),
callers will be connected to a network of local crisis centers across the country that are committed to crisis counseling.
Callers to the hotline will receive counseling from trained staff at the closest certified crisis center in the network.
The network is run by HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and involves more than
110 certified crisis centers. People who are in emotional distress or suicidal can call at any time from anywhere
in the nation to talk to a trained worker who will listen to and assist callers in getting the mental health help they need.
People will be provided with immediate access to local resources, referrals and expertise.
GovBenefits.gov
Access government assistance programs and new eligibility requirements for hurricane evacuees.
The special evacuee status applies to the full range of federal benefits administered by the states,
including HHS programs that provide services through Medicaid, family assistance through TANF,
child care support, foster care assistance, mental health services and substance abuse treatment services.
http://www.govbenefits.gov
Next of Kin
Do you know if there are any unidentified persons in your nursing home facilities?
We have pictures on our website of a few of the people we are looking for at www.cajunaaa.org.
Any help would be appreciated.
American Red Cross (800) 229-8190 , (866) GET-INFO or (866) 438-4636
1-877-LOVED 1S (1-877-568-3317) or go to Katrina Safe on the Internet at www.katrinasafe.org.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Katrina/Rita Missing Persons Hotline
at (888) 544-5475 or go to www.Missingkids.com on the Internet.
National Next of Kin Registry Contact loved ones affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio
Network (SATERN)
Provides a missing persons service online. Click on the key for
Health and Welfare Information Request at
www.satern.org. (847) 709-6700
Katrina List
Powered by the community of volunteers from the Katrina People Finder Project.
http://www.katrinalist.net
WWL-TV in New Orleans has links to online forums for people to post names
if they are searching for someone or to announce that they are ok. They also have
streaming video of their broadcast. http://www.wwltv.com
Hospice Foundation of America has established a Hospice Patient Locater
Message Board at www.hospicefoundation.org in response to Hurricane Katrina.
Emergency
Prescriptions Filled Free for Evacuees With No Money
Evacuees with emergency medicine needs and no money may go to any
Wal-Mart pharmacy to have their prescriptions filled free of charge,
even if they do not have a copy of their prescription. People who
have been displaced and are temporarily residing in other areas may
receive a seven-day supply of free medication. Nurses and doctors
who have authority to write prescriptions and are treating patients
in special needs shelters as part of the recovery effort can send
their patients' prescriptions to Wal-Mart stores to be filled.
Pharmacists are also prepared to handle situations where people do
not have their prescriptions with them. Anyone with questions
may contact the Mississippi
Department of Health at (866) 458-4948 or the Louisiana Pharmacy
Board at (225) 925-6496.
http://www.walmartfacts.com/community/article.aspx?id=1331
KatrinaHealth
KatrinaHealth.org is a new, free and secure online service. It
provides Katrina evacuees, their authorized doctors and pharmacists
with a list of the treatment medications evacuees were taking prior
to evacuating.
People with Disabilities
Visit
http://katrinadisability.info/
for information for People with Disabilities and people who want to
help them. This page is not just about Katrina-it’s about any
disaster people with disabilities experience! This page will include
information for people with disabilities who need help and also
information for those who want to help people with disabilities and
need to know how.
Hurricane Katrina Relief Assistance for People with Disabilities
Offers listings of phone numbers, Web sites, and other resources for
individuals and organizations.
http://www.ilru.org/html/whatsnew/announcements/katrina.html
AutismCares
is a nonprofit agency committed to helping families affected by the
gulf region hurricanes who have children with autism. Registration
for these families is available online. Has over 150 families in
their database that need help after the Gulf Hurricanes with
housing, clothing, food, medicines, beds and other necessities.
Their online site includes a list of children affected by the
hurricanes and some of their needs and wishes. Please visit
http://66.148.5.47/autismcares/adoptachild.htm
and share your generosity this holiday season with a child in need.
Employers can list jobs and survivors can look for employment and post their resumes.
http://www.jobsearch.org/katrinajobs
http://www.jobs4recovery.com
The Department of Labor’s National Contact Center
Provides information about Unemployment Insurance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
(866) 4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365)
Community Voice Mail provides free
voicemail numbers to people displaced across the country.
Visit
www.cvm.org
for more information.
See also Resources by State.
Financial Management Support Services
Click here
to see a summary of the provisions
of the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act, which was recently passed by
the US House and Senate and signed into law on Sept. 23, 2005 by President
Bush.
Hope Coalition America
Offers a variety of free services including
obtaining lost or destroyed personal identification and Social Security
numbers, emergency budget counseling, emergency credit management,
assistance with deferring mortgage payments, assistance with working with
your creditors, assistance with obtaining copies of destroyed financial
documents, insurance claims assistance, etc. (888) 388-4673,
www.operationhope.org
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Offers information 24 hours daily regarding
accessing your bank accounts, lost checking and savings records, ATM cards,
direct deposit, how to reach your bank, etc. (877) 275-3342,
www.fdic.gov
The Red Cross Provides those affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita with one-time emergency
financial assistance to meet urgent needs until state and federal aid is available.
To qualify for financial assistance, one must have a pre-disaster address that is verified
by the Red Cross to be in an affected area. Register 24 hours daily by calling (800) 975-7585.
Tax Relief
Information/IRS Disaster Assistant Contacts
IRS offers
tax information
for those impacted by
Hurricanes
Katrina
and Rita.
Click here for tax relief information or
here for IRS disaster
assistant contacts.
See also Resources by State.
Legal Aid Resources
Katrina Legal Aid Resource Center
Offers resources for people affected
by the hurricanes, for legal aid and defender programs helping them,
and for private attorney volunteers.
www.Katrinalegalaid.org
See also
Resources by State.
http://www.dhronline.org
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD has established a single toll-free housing hotline: 1-888-297-8685
Claims can be filed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Because phone lines remain down in some areas and disaster response officials are overwhelmed,
officials are asking that callers be patient. FEMA (800) 621-FEMA
See also Resources by State.
Public Assistance
If you were receiving public assistance before the disaster, or need to apply now,
the following numbers can refer you to the appropriate state agency.
Alabama: (888) 658-6585
Florida: (866)
76ACCES (1-866-762-2237)
Georgia: (866)
752-3442
Louisiana: (888) LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578)
Mississippi: (800) 345-6347
Texas:
Call 2-1-1 in Texas
Replacing
Important
Papers
The Red Cross distributes this pdf document which directs persons
how to replace important paperwork as birth, death and marriage
certificates; citizenship and naturalization papers; driver’s
license; vehicle registration and vehicle title; income tax returns;
insurance policies; military discharge papers; passport; property
deeds and titles; social security; savings bonds/notes; divorce
papers; and checkbooks and credit cards.
http://www.redcrosstbc.org/REPLACING_IMPORTANT_PAPERS.pdf
See also
Resources by State.
Students
Katrina College Students
Maintains a clearinghouse and message board for information from
about accommodations for students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. http://www.KatrinaCollegeStudents.org
The Board of Trustees
of
Highline Community
College in Des Moines,
WA has authorized a full tuition waiver for students from Louisiana,
Mississippi, Alabama and Florida who were displaced as a result of
the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and who seek entrance into
Highline Community College.
The waiver will
extend from fall quarter 2005 through summer quarter 2006.
The tuition waiver
applies to all academic credit courses which apply toward a transfer
or technical degree. Services and activities (S&A) fees and building
fees are not waived.
Prospective
students may call Laura Westergard, Director of Admissions/Entry
Services, for more information at (206) 878-3710, ext. 3693 or visit
www.highline.edu/stuserv/registration/tuitionkatrina.htm.
See also
Resources by State.
Pets
Petfinder.com
Offers a comprehensive Animal Emergency Response Network helping companion animal victims and their caretakers
during disasters. Displaced hurricane victims can post the locations of their pets so that rescuers can go in and save them.
Rescuers can post the descriptions and photos of pets they find making them available for distraught pet parents to find them.
Volunteers can post their offers of foster care which displaced hurricane victims can search to find temporary care for their pets.
http://www.petfinder.com/disaster
http://www.PasadoSafeHaven.org
http://www.BestFriends.org
In Louisiana: e-mail katrina@ldaf.louisiana.gov, call (800) HUMANE-1 or e-mail outreach@aspca.org
In Mississippi, call (888) 722-3106, call (800) HUMANE-1 or e-mail outreach@aspca.org.
See also Resources by State.
Transportation
Amtrak will give free one-way trips to Hurricane Katrina victims to
anywhere serviced by Amtrak. Amtrak needs a letter from FEMA to
authorize the trip, then Amtrak will make the reservation.
Katrina victims will need a card from FEMA and must book with an
agent at the station.
FEMA: (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Amtrak: (800) 872-7245
FEMA’s Facilitated
Re-location Program
(800) 621-FEMA (3362); 7am-9pm, Central Standard
Time
The Help Line will make referrals to the call center as travel needs
are identified.
The focus of this program
is to provide transportation to housing. To be eligible for
a one-way ticket to help reunite Katrina clients or applicants with
their family, friend or move them from a shelter to an alternate,
safe location as a result of Hurricane Katrina,
they must
-
Be qualified FEMA disaster
registrants, and have their FEMA Registration number to request
travel assistance.
-
Be the person in whose name the
registration is made. The registrant will be able to make travel
arrangements for their dependents.
-
Have been evacuated from Louisiana,
Mississippi, or Alabama. (Katrina)
-
Be able to provide or coordinate
their own transportation to and from the airport, train station,
or bus depot.
-
Be able to give the address and phone
number of the family member, friend or temporary housing unit
where they will be staying when they relocate. This accommodation
must be available for 90 days. This accommodation shall not be a
hotel/motel.
-
Be able to pay for, or arrange for
costs for excess baggage if necessary.
See also
Resources by State.
· Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (601) 352-9100; 24-hour emergency line,
(800) 222-MEMA -or- (800) 222-6362
Washington
For holiday program resources in King County, please call the Community Information Line
at (206) 461-3200 or (800) 621-4636. You may also search for holiday specific resources under
“Winter Holidays” at http://www2.ci.seattle.wa.us/crisisclinic/search.asp#search.
The Board of Trustees of Highline Community College in Des Moines, WA has authorized a full tuition waiver
for students from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida who were displaced as a result of the devastation
of Hurricane Katrina and who seek entrance into Highline Community College. The waiver will extend from
fall quarter 2005 through summer quarter 2006. The tuition waiver applies to all academic credit courses which
apply toward a transfer or technical degree. Services and activities (S&A) fees and building fees are not waived.
Prospective students may call Laura Westergard, Director of Admissions/Entry Services,
for more information at (206) 878-3710, ext. 3693 or visit www.highline.edu/stuserv/registration/tuitionkatrina.htm.
Washington State Clearinghouse Number
Evacuees can call (800) 941-2930 to get direction on where to find help based on their needs
Offers a document online in Adobe Acrobat format titled
“Recommended Actions For Katrina Evacuees Spontaneously Arriving in Washington State
Who Have No Where to Go” at http://www.emd.wa.gov/6-mrr/mit-rec/pa/katrina/seq-of-assistance.pdf.
Web site is maintained by Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division (EMD).
http://www.emd.wa.gov/
Washington State Disaster Assistance Help Line is activated as the statewide information
and referral line during disasters. (800) 688-3469
Department of Social and Health Services
(DSHS)
Throughout Washington state, Department of Social and Health
Services has offices available to help people displaced in the
state by the destruction of their property and disruption of their
lives in the Gulf Coast states by Hurricane Katrina. What their
home states may call a public assistance or welfare office is
called a Community Services Office (CSO) here in Washington State.
CSO staff members help eligible people sign-up for food stamps,
medical coverage and income assistance. Call for information on
relaxed eligibility restrictions on Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP and
Federal Food Stamps for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. By entering
the zip code or the county in which one lives, one can find one’s
local CSO in Washington state at
https://wws2.wa.gov/dshs/onlinecso/findservice.asp.
If one does not have access to the internet, call (800) 865-7801
between 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
Louisiana Birth
Certificates for Evacuees
Hurricane Katrina evacuees born in Louisiana can obtain their
Louisiana birth certificate from the King County Vital
Statistics Office. Louisiana birth certificates are needed by
many evacuees to enroll children in school, get identification and
receive much needed benefits during this time. Hurricane Katrina
evacuees must go in person to the King County Vital Statistics
Office at 500 Fourth Avenue, Room 214, Seattle, during normal
business hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Special
birth certificate request forms must be completed and signed by
the evacuee, with specific identification documents presented and
inspected by Vital Statistics staff. The request forms are
electronically sent to Louisiana Vital Records in Baton Rouge.
Within several days, a birth card (limited birth record) is
expressed mailed to the King County Vital Statistics Office for
distribution via mail or in-person delivery to the evacuee. No
fees are collected for this emergency service. This procedure is
also being enacted at the State Department of Health Center for
Health Statistics at 101 Isreal Rd SE, Tumwater, WA during normal
business hours of 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday. The phone
number is (360) 236-4300. Questions on how evacuees in King County
can obtain Louisiana birth certificates can be directed to Jon
Nakagawara, Vital Statistics, at (206) 205-1139.
The
Community Action Partnership (CAP)
is a network of agencies throughout Washington State that provide
services to families in transition, including housing, food and
financial aid, among others. King County CAP agencies are: Central
Area Motivation Program, El Centro de La Raza, Fremont Public
Association, Hopelink, Multi-Service Center, Neighborhood House
and Seattle Conservation Corps. For information about these
agencies and their services,
visit
Community Resources Online
or call
Crisis Clinic’s
Community Information Line
at (206) 461-3200 or (800) 621-4636.
GovBenefits.gov
(Washington State)
Access government assistance programs and new eligibility
requirements for hurricane evacuees. The special evacuee status
applies to the full range of federal benefits administered by the
states, including HHS programs that provide services through
Medicaid, family assistance through TANF, child care support,
foster care assistance, mental health services and substance abuse
treatment services.
http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits/benefits/state.jhtml?dispatch=list&state=WA
Evacuees who
are HIV Positive
HIV positive evacuees who are at or below 200% of FPL can qualify
for Ryan White services in King County. If they are seeking
medical care, they should call the
AIDS Care Access Project (ACAP)
at (206) 284-9277 and they can be linked to and scheduled for an
appointment with a primary
medical care provider, as well as get information about accessing
other services in the County.
Washington State Employment Security –
Unemployment Insurance
(206) 766-6063 is the new Hurricane Katrina Unemployment Claims
Line.
Individuals coming to Washington
State after Katrina and needing
veterinary help
for their pets can call the Washington State Veterinary Medical
Association (WSVMA), which is headquartered in Bellevue
and can be reached at (425)-454-8381. The WSVMA has contacted all
members in the state and has gotten a tremendous response from
veterinarians willing to provide free or low cost services for the
pets of evacuees. The WSVMA will triage calls and refer to local
veterinarians. Another resource, especially for temporary pet
housing help, would be the Humane Society for Seattle-King County
at (425)-641-0080.
Information is provided here in this Adobe PDF document to assist individuals and families who have come
from disaster-declared areas looking for temporary refuge or help resettling permanently in Seattle/King County.
Funding is available to provide temporary transportation assistance (up to four months) to agencies and organizations
that are providing direct aid to individuals and families who have relocated to King County as a direct result of Hurricane Katrina.
More information can be found here in this Adobe PDF document.
The
King County Housing Authority (206) 574-1200 and the
Seattle Housing
Authority
(206) 239-1737 are both providing housing to Katrina evacuees.
Free Clothing and Essentials -
Mount Zion Baptist Church (1604 19th Ave, Seattle)
offers free clothing and essentials to Hurricane Katrina/Rita evacuees every Saturday
from 10am-2pm or by appointment. Please call the
church office at (206) 322-6500
and leave a message for Leslyn Jones-Petitt or e-mail
lpetitt@qwest.net.
The following
Children’s Home Society of Washington services in King County
are available to the community
with priority to Katrina evacuees.
South King County
Early Head Start – Home Visiting Services and family advocacy
(connection to other community services such as emergency
assistance) to families with children 0-3 or pregnant living
anywhere in South King County. A Home Visitor will come to the
home and work with the parents and children on early education and
care; hook them up with health, dental and emergency services.
Contact Leah Capili at (253) 854-0700.
Child Care Centers
Provides quality full-time child care for working families and
students. Services offered include developmental screening,
services for children with special needs, fun early learning
environment, nutritious meals and healthy snacks. Kent and Green
River Child Development Centers. Contact Leah Capili at (253)
854-0700.
Auburn Family Resource Center
Offers parenting classes, parent support group, and parent and
child activity groups. Also provides Emergency Food Program
vouchers, diapers, used clothing and information and resources for
community services. Contact Sue McDaniel (253) 854-0700
North Seattle Family Center
Offers parenting classes, ESL classes, parent and child
activities, and WIC. Provides help for working families, emergency
groceries, used clothing, household items, furniture and community
information and resources. Contact Ann Fuller (206) 364-7930.
Eastside Healthy Start
Parent Mentors provide home-based services to families at risk.
Contact Karen Wilson at (425) 895-9813.
United
Way (to donate)
United Way
(to volunteer)
United Way of King County’s Hurricane Relief Adopt-A-Family
King County non-profit organizations and schools that are serving families impacted
by Hurricane Katrina now have the ability to post online their wish lists for in-kind items
utilizing United Way of King County’s volunteer referral site.
Go to http://www.volunteersolutions.org and register your agency
to start posting items for the “Hurricane Relief Adopt-A-Family” section.
If you are already registered you will have this option on your home page and you can
begin the process and post specific items needed by the family or families you are serving.
The more specific you can be the better, for example, “clothing for 15-year old female,
size 10” will ensure you receive items the family can use.
(This Page was last updated
on
Thursday August 31, 2006 at
05:23 PM
) |
