|
|
|
|
|
As the needs of the communities in Western North Carolina become more evident in the days since the hurricane struck the area, APNC is working with our partners to ensure that we are getting information and resources out to the people who need them. Today, we are gathering information from the surrounding states to understand the processes for displaced people to access help in other states. We are also working with our community to find more direct and effective ways for people unaffected by the storm to donate funds and supplies.
As a reminder, we will be sending daily emails this week containing all the resources and information we have gathered to date. These emails will be archived and shared on our website so anyone can access them anytime.
Thank you so much for all you are doing to support our friends and neighbors during these unprecedented times. APNC is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of everyone in our community and North Carolina as a whole.
Sara M. Howe, APNC CEO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DHHS Emergency Resources:
|
|
|
|
This bulletin describes the extension of the flexibilities originally scheduled to end Oct. 2, 2024, for NC Medicaid Direct and NC Medicaid Managed Care. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.
The flexibilities in this bulletin are effective from Sept. 26, 2024, through Oct. 15, 2024 (unless otherwise communicated by DHHS).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tennessee to Allow Non-Residents Recovery Assistance
Tennessee issued an executive order allowing healthcare professionals with licensure from other states to assist victims without state licensure. Additionally, non-residents displaced by the hurricane can access state programs. Read the executive order here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.” |
|
|
|
Biden-Harris Continues Life-Saving Response Efforts in Response to Hurricane Helene
Today, President Biden is announcing 1,000 active-duty troops will be immediately deployed to assist with response and recovery efforts. Read the press release here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FEMA's efforts in North Carolina
Individuals residing in counties affected by the disaster can now apply for assistance with FEMA by visiting disasterassistance.gov<> or calling 1-800-621-3362. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The medical supply chain is facing increased strain following Hurricane Helene's damage to a Baxter International plant in North Carolina, which produces essential IV fluids for U.S. hospitals.
While no injuries were reported among the 2,500 employees, damage assessments are ongoing, and Baxter is mobilizing backup plants to resume production. The situation highlights the vulnerability of health care supply chains, as a single plant's shutdown can have widespread repercussions. Experts recommend hospitals assess their inventories and consider alternative care strategies while federal agencies prepare to expedite measures to alleviate potential shortages. The recent history of extreme weather events underscores the need for improved disaster preparedness in the health system, particularly regarding critical supplies like IV bags, which are cumbersome to transport. (Article here) – Note: Thanks to our friends at Third Horizon for sharing this story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you are trying to get in touch with a loved one, text PERSON to 40403 to add a loved one to United Way of North Carolina's (UWNC) search and rescue efforts. The form is also available online. United Way is also accepting donations for their UW Helps NC Fund; donations can be made online and designated to a specific United Way or designated for UWNC to allocate funds to areas of the greatest need. UWNC also operates NC 2-1-1, a multilingual health services help line.
For Southwest North Carolina:
Blue Ridge Radio and WFAE have also created lists of organizations that are giving out supplies and resources. Many of these organizations are also accepting donations, volunteers, and other means of support.
For Northwest North Carolina:
Feeding Avery Families is coordinating food distribution in Newland, North Carolina. W.A.M.Y. Community Action has efforts operating in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties. Hospitality House of Northwest NC is also providing updates on their operations on Facebook.
NC Tripping is also maintaining a list of resources and organizations spanning the Western region.
If you are based in Raleigh, Durham, or Cary:
Bond Brothers Beer and Crabtree Family Moving & Storage are coordinating a drop off drive with other Triangle-area businesses. All materials donated through this drive will go to Operation Air Drop, which is a group of independent pilots who are delivering essential supplies to areas cut off from resources. Find a drop off location and learn more about needed items here. |
|
|
|
Hurricane Helene Recovery Resources
NCDHHS is constantly updating their page of emergency resources, they can be found here. |
|
|
|
Resource Requests
Resource requests should be directed to county emergency management agencies. |
|
Financial Resources |
|
The Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan program is now available for nonprofits in declared disaster areas. Most members should qualify, though larger hospitals may not. Organizations can apply for relief from physical damage or operating losses. If this applies to you, we encourage you to explore the application process. Check out the North Carolina SBA Fact Sheet here.
Note: There are two separate deadlines: November for physical damage loans and June for economic injury (operating losses) loans.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance |
|
|
|
The North Carolina Community Foundation is currently raising funds for Disaster Relief. While it’s unclear how these funds will be deployed, we encourage your nonprofit members to stay informed about local community foundations and philanthropic partners for any special grant programs they may offer. The North Carolina Network of Grantmakers provides guidance for donors and can direct you to foundations accepting donations that will be turned into grants. I’ll keep you updated if more options become available.
https://ncgrantmakers.org/Resources/Resources-for-Grantmakers-%281%29.html |
|
|
|
|
|
Open Shelters
To find the most up to date version of this list, click here. |
|
First Baptist Church Swannanoa
503 Park Street, Swannanoa
WNC Ag Center
1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher
Oak Hill Methodist Church
2239 NC 181, Morganton
West Caldwell High School
300 West Caldwell Drive, Lenoir
Haywood County Government Armory
285 Armory Drive, Clyde
Athletics and Activity Center
708 S. Grove Street, Hendersonville
Edneyville Elementary School
2875 Pace Road , Hendersonville
Glenwood Baptist Church
1550 Old US 221 South, Marion
YMCA
348 Grace Corpening Drive, Marion
Polk County High School
1681 NC 108 Highway East , Columbus
West Wilkes Middle School
1677 North NC Highway 16, Wilkesboro
South Toe Elementary School
139 South Toe School Road, Burnsville
WEST YANCEY VFD
6557 US HWY 19, BURNSVILLE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Red Cross @RedCross:
Our teams in North Carolina are off distributing ready-to-eat meals and other relief supplies to areas hardest hit by Hurricane Helene. Some areas include shelters and communities in Forest City, Asheville, Hendersonville and Newland. Follow the @RedCross_NC on social media for the latest updates on shelter locations and local assistance. |
|
|
|
Senator Thom Tillis @SenThomTillis:
Today I got a firsthand look at the devastating in Western North Carolina and received a briefing on ongoing search and rescue efforts with @NCAgriculture Commissioner Troxler, @SenTedBuddNC, @RepDavidRouzer, and @RepGregMurphy. WNC is going to need significant federal resources to recover and rebuild. We need to begin that process without delay, and my top priority will be passing a comprehensive disaster assistance package as soon as possible. |
|
|
|
ASHEVILLE FIRE DEPT @AshevilleFD:
Free ice is currently available at the Home Depot (795 Fairview Road) until supplies run out. Ice is available in 7lb bags. This was an unexpected large donation that the City is unable to store. |
|
|
|
|
|
Crisis Intervention Strategies for SUD Professionals
October 15th, 12:00 - 1:00PM
Presented by: Geri Miller, Ph.D.
Description: SUD professionals need to learn and practice a calm and encouraging approach during a crisis. The theoretical approach and specific techniques of crisis counseling assessment and treatment can readily be integrated into the professional’s overall framework. Suggestions on beneficial approaches and techniques are provided.
Objectives:
-
Understand theories and techniques of crisis counseling assessment and treatment.
-
Describe specific techniques of crisis counseling assessment and treatment.
-
Apply approaches and techniques to one’s own SUD work setting.
This training is free to all- Please register here: https://cvent.me/vxgqDL |
|
|
First Responder Disaster Response Training
*LIVE* October 3, 2024, 10am -12:30pm EST
* Recording will be available to those who cannot attend live! *
Far too often, people in the first responder line of work are reluctant to engage in necessary mental health treatment out of a concern that clinicians won’t ‘get it’. This training aims to help therapists understand the nuances of working in public safety and a complicated healthcare system, especially both before, during, and after deploying for disaster response, and the compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma that often result.
This training is FREE for those working in effected areas, and $97 for people outside of the area. It is hosted by Mental Health Matters. Register here. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Disaster Recovery Survey |
|
Taking this survey will help APNC understand the state of the members of our community, and will allow us to better understand the needs of our communities. |
|
|
|
|
|
For those unaffected by the storm, but still looking for ways to help, you can donate to the official North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund here: |
| NC Disaster Relief Fund |
|
|
|
|
If you’re looking for ways to give, here are four funds you can support. These funds are getting urgently needed resources to people directly affected and hardest hit by the storm, including communities with less access to philanthropic dollars:
- Appalachian Helene Response Fund: Donate directly to mutual aid efforts or a recovery fund facilitated by Appalachia Funders Network. Recovery fund donations go through Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky; donors can designate support for NC in notes.
- Emergency and Disaster Response Fund: Support relief efforts by frontline nonprofits in 18 WNC counties and the Qualla Boundary, administered by the Community Foundation of Western NC.
- Organizing Resilience: Provide direct relief through mutual aid and community groups, support economic recovery and small businesses, and promote systemic change to prevent future disasters.
- NC Counts: Donate to grassroots organizations doing recovery work in vulnerable communities. NC Counts Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to building a healthy, just, and equitable North Carolina through cross-sector partnerships that advance systemic solutions for communities facing systemic barriers, including BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+, low wealth, immigrant, and other communities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
APNC has created a Hurricane Helene Resource Hub on our website. This hub serves as a centralized location where you can find all of our messages, updates, and important resources related to disaster recovery efforts. We will be archiving our daily communications and adding key links to help support individuals and communities impacted by the storm.
You can visit the Resource Hub here: |
| Hurricane Helene Resource Hub |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
