November 2012 Volume 2, SPECIAL ISSUE[banner.PNG] SPECIAL ISSUE: HURRICANE SANDY RECOVERY INFORMATION To all of our colleagues in New York and New Jersey areas who are affected by Hurricane Sandy, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please know that we are here to support your needs. Michelle Davis, Regional Health Administrator, US DHHS OASH Region II April Velasco, Deputy Regional Health Administrator, US DHHS OASH Region II Sandra Bennett-Pagan, Office on Women’s Health Justina Lawrence, Office of Minority Health Kristen Lepore, Office of the Medical Reserve Corps Angelica Ramirez, Regional HIV/AIDS Program Delores Stewart, Office of Family Planning Lakezia Carmichael, Public Health Advisor Frankeena Wright, Public Health Advisor Miranda Chung, Special Assistant Marline Vignier, Special Assistant HHS Offers Aid in the Wake of Sandy - HHS has personnel on the ground in New York and New Jersey, providing public health and medical assistance. Find information on: • Food Safety in an Emergency<http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/emergency/index.html> • Mental Health after a Disaster<http://www.phe.gov/emergency/events/Pages/sandy-midatlantic-2012.aspx#mental> • Staying Safe in Cold Weather<http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/> • Find a Red Cross shelter<http://app.redcross.org/nss-app/> currently open near you Learn more at www.hhs.gov/sandy<http://www.hhs.gov/sandy>. Sandy Recovery Services: Feedback Needed and Resource List - We are providing this list of resources and information below (see below): FOR INDIVIDUAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE For information on applying for disaster relief, please visit: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001fhWLET0tbW0edzs_sLCeIVmChqqah4n5nT479taCPXfewnqdTkLQaMxOd_mzAgAl_9IAuwp_1eZVwdaCPLsD4dW1H6RdEHW9ocAVnOKhkMPwhICXhPniu7OnBbgEddTXKR1X_KuieGUbEODfHgMSlP51zr0zHKVVdowe572Nq9JosvGm-2C9OEQYekRomnFsKJPXzTy4ejv6vT_uSRFb-Oj68bRujsjd9m9llsQD9Pxi33QDiUvIWkEjIkKDQaS5> and http://www.fema.gov/what-information-do-i-need-apply <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001fhWLET0tbW1iXeCRm9ggxPNZCC3Uf9axBprKgVdD-04rkWaRjErTFMPJa1c9puPZTdnc6GJjapnEVhLYkB4_nAEFe7fIEP34gbhb69EFb0GSOOBJLPYHo4Q92S8gux04lo92_Og1EzvASOCy3Uw3N9Z7QgpBmRJk0yrn1xxNvGWd0i7D22gr25fNMZ5Zuv5MtoAc3RuAgGoC6BKM4gGuCoUe5JBTxNaGm7Mqfoi-3Xd8F2emPsCfYctQHzauS4rIJr2sYWHHVr_mG97BeERRKuWGXqiHUW8c> or call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. For information on FEMA and immigration status, please visit: http://www.fema.gov/news-release/questions-and-answers-undocumented-immigrants-regarding-fema-assistance<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001fhWLET0tbW2XnvY0W9yBMcbIPmWAQwA98vq333k7oWEh3M3beiOl3LKOVuVXGJeiMTiADkTMr2jRlt-aqvSFt7T-QGxFbHkEYnW57WQYkv7mGyCB3SVVLStVagesO-1w5aFoMGjbSpejBiTFQO8ddnXVt9vRPiFph_dLF5bW1nnGfPeqRIWuYfM_XJDamgD7RQaW2JQrr6rH7jxbQ0qV0jWttB7lKTT4LfQ0me5yhL1vLBqO9B4iEcbhcA1Nxx0jBGztt1k18sC0i0yCgtxffrP0VvWOR6Mc67vABblP_ZXU7xuZWZV1h66M0f3cTuGV0R4pDfxwlVKXWKEOnxgOqtaxnKm0QLvN> For more information about Small Business Administration’s disaster assistance programs, visit www.sba.gov/disaster<http://www.sba.gov/disaster>, call our disaster assistance center at 1-800-659-2955, or email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> If you are in an area within a disaster declaration you may be eligible to apply for disaster assistance from SBA<http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants/small-business-loans/disaster-loans>. Learn more at http://www.sba.gov/content/2012-hurricane-and-tropical-storm-recovery-assistance-information. [Photo: Flooded homes] Returning Home after a Disaster: Be Healthy and Safe Stay safe from hazards a storm may leave in your home. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/Features/afteraflood/ for more information. HHS information on protecting health immediately after a hurricane or to prepare for disasters is available at www.phe.gov/emergency<http://www.phe.gov/emergency>. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has health tips available by texting SANDY to 87000. For assistance contact http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call the FEMA Helpdesk at 800-745-0243. New York Blood Center (NYBC), serving more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, projects a total cumulative shortfall of up to 12,000 units in the next 30 days because of storm damage to locations where blood is collected. To counter this shortage, NYBC urges donors to visit www.nybloodcenter.org<http://www.nybloodcenter.org/> to find locations where they can give blood. For New Jersey you can also visit http://www.state.nj.us/health/njsave3lives/centers.shtml. Resources for those Affected by Hurricane Sandy Here<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001aaWHjAKGaItZfAvRd1nrzsnDGC5-NJsyOcLOOge-kk95VLmkOq0w-I2Rxt61I0fz4nE7V2mdA9mGRkks-W0_Ih4MVxyKYS7t3iBBUyFqf8_g0ron33W-4Pv4jkFrJTYcPUijVrRDk_XqRT8R3CFnWIpAm1q0MYwin44onM7wYDJV74ACPLvT50MjI02tA4NASP0kwD51Afbj0eF68aalCH-ONhx0DNbx> are some helpful resources and links as you and your clients deal with the aftermath of Sandy. We'll do our best to keep the information updated. Or visit http://www.empirejustice.org/issue-areas/civil-legal-services/articles/legal-resources-for-those.html Access to Disaster Benefits for Immigrants Without Status There is an exception to the general rule that immigrants must be in a legal status to be eligible for federal public benefits and that is in the case of "short term, non-cash, in kind emergency disaster relief." Thus emergency shelters for victims displaced by Hurricane Sandy, warming centers, and of course food pantries and soup kitchens are open to all. [This article<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001aaWHjAKGaIuyv8qgPgrzSkO3OuH86_NlY-7Kv_R0CxbWotxt3aKzQXWLPCyu7OBJPI7xe4tjyhDjlYAEZpHZgHAPyQLq02kb7CH2_DgDp6YvPa0gbO_px4BOyZaAWCDKeu3Y5Xt-OZHuHmw8rZJcN9W_V70PymThE1hR-G_tbA8d1YpJVG7N82HiH5zToFHDC0m8QHz0W-sFJNGsoVcdQbpFJUDJ9p_9EEUUaDQDwHRB9ygKELYzUugw15GAc6W3fiij8d1nLrRUhLK9MkEE8w==> also covers:] * FEMA Benefit Programs * Nutrition Assistance Programs - Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) and replacement SNAP benefits * School Meals Program * WIC You can also visit http://www.empirejustice.org/issue-areas/immigrant-rights/access-to-public-benefits/misc/access-to-disaster-benefits.html#.UKapTGf-JIw [http://cts.vresp.com/c/?SubstanceAbuseandMen/6c298ac1bc/a11d2acfb6/c025170f66]<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?SubstanceAbuseandMen/6c298ac1bc/a11d2acfb6/c025170f66> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 19, 2012 CONTACT: SAMHSA Press Office (240) 276-2140 The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 will continue to provide immediate crisis counseling during Thanksgiving and beyond to people affected by Hurricane Sandy A disaster or tragedy is unexpected and often brings out strong emotions. The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 can provide immediate counseling to anyone who needs help in dealing with the problems related to Hurricane Sandy. The Helpline is a 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a natural or man-made disaster or tragedy. The Helpline has been operating from the outset of the storm and will continue to be available to people in need of its services – including during the Thanksgiving holiday. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Helpline immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers. The Helpline staff will provide confidential counseling, referrals and other needed support services. “When disaster strikes, people react with increased anxiety, worry and anger. With community and family support, most of us bounce back. Some may need extra assistance to cope with unfolding events and uncertainties,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “People seeking emotional help in the aftermath of a disaster can now call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 and begin the process of recovery.” The Disaster Distress Helpline is a national hotline dedicated to providing disaster crisis counseling. The toll-free Helpline is confidential and multilingual and available for those who are experiencing psychological distress as a result of natural or man-made disasters, incidents of mass violence or any other tragedy affecting America's communities. The Helpline complements the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other disaster response capacities, and is available immediately anywhere within the United States. The Helpline can also be accessed at http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?SubstanceAbuseandMen/6c298ac1bc/a11d2acfb6/43e61a7e3e>. # # # SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. [Behavioral Health is Essential to Health - Prevention Works - Treatment is Effective - People Recover] INDIVIDUAL RESOURCES Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) www.medicalreservecorps.gov<http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/> MRC is a national network of local groups of volunteers committed to improving the health, safety, and resiliency of their communities supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services but programs (“units”) are locally administered. Volunteers are credentialed, provided the necessary training, and then deployed as part of a given local/state response as needed. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources. To learn more about becoming an MRC volunteer visit: https://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/volunteerFldr/AboutVolunteering. You can also find a unit in your area by visiting: http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/FindMRC. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/ The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. The program is supported by FEMA, and administered locally. To locate a CERT program in your area visit: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/listCouncil.do?submitByState&stateOnly. Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) A DMAT is a group of professional and para-professional medical personnel (supported by a cadre of logistical and administrative staff) designed to provide medical care during a disaster or other event. These individuals/teams are supported by the National Disaster Medical System, US Department of Health and Human Services. DMATs are designed to be a rapid-response element to supplement local medical care until other Federal or contract resources can be mobilized, or the situation is resolved. To apply for a DMAT position visit: http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/responders/ndms/teams/Pages/recruitment.aspx. ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) http://www.nvoad.org/ National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership based organization that serves as the forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle—preparation, response and recovery —to help disaster survivors and their communities. Visit the VOAD homepage to locate your state/regional affiliate. Citizen Corp Councils http://www.citizencorps.gov/citizencorps/councils/councilindex.shtm Citizen Corps Councils and their members continue to make a difference in communities around the United States. The Councils, which are federally sponsored and locally administered, seek to develop a more resilient nation by promoting increased awareness of preparedness measures though public education and training, knowledge of volunteer support for response efforts, and fostering whole community support for comprehensive emergency planning. Visit the Citizen Corps home page to find a council in your area. [cid:X.MA4.1353556723@aol.com] <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the NFS-L List, please send an E-mail to: "[log in to unmask]". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF NFS-L".