FEMA Funded Program Reaches Out to Louisianians
Second Largest Crisis Counseling Grant in FEMA History
Release Date: August 17, 2006
Release Number: 1603-524
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the State of Louisiana will receive $34.7 million for crisis counseling for Hurricane Katrina victims, the second largest crisis counseling grant ever awarded by FEMA. The amount is second only to the grant provided to New York in the aftermath of 9-11.
Dr. Fred Cerise, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) and Jim Stark, director of the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office are in agreement that the $34.7 million awarded by FEMA will benefit persons in Louisiana needing crisis counseling due to the stress resulting from this destructive hurricane.
"Stress and depression are constant companions for many hurricane affected residents. They have been through a great ordeal and we want everyone in Louisiana who was impacted by the storm to take advantage of this grant funding crisis counseling for Hurricane Katrina affected residents," said Jim Stark.
The purpose of the crisis counseling program is to help people understand their current situation and their emotional reactions to it. In doing so, it helps victims grieve their losses, reduce stress, review their options, and develop coping skills that will allow them to make the necessary adjustments needed to move forward with their lives. It also encourages links to others in their community, and helps identify and refer people who may need services outside the scope of the crisis counseling program.
The $34.7 million approved for Hurricane Katrina is the second largest Regular Services grant in FEMA history. The largest was $132 million approved by the agency for the emotional impact of those affected by the World Trade Center attack.
Dr. Cerise said, "We are very excited about the difference this grant will make in the complete recovery of residents of Louisiana. Many adults and children in Louisiana are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, and other related problems due to the huge impact this hurricane had on our lives. This grant enables Louisiana Spirit to provide free crisis counseling to all affected persons."
"Having someone to talk to and help them with coping skills will benefit adults and children alike," said Cerise.
The State of Louisiana first received a crisis counseling grant of $17,685,272 for the Immediate Services program. Together, through the Immediate Services program and the Regular Services program, Louisiana will receive a total of $52,437,107.
The Immediate Services program enables the state or local agency to respond to the immediate mental health needs with counseling techniques, as well as outreach services such as public information and community networking. The Regular Services program is designed to provide up to nine months of crisis counseling, community outreach, consultation, and education services to people affected by a Presidentially declared disaster.
FEMA provides the funding for the Crisis Counseling program to the DHH, Office of Mental Health Services. The state turns to professional, qualified agencies and personnel to provide this help. Louisiana Spirit provides counseling services to Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Louisiana Spirit is the organization charged by DHH with connecting Katrina-affected residents to crisis counseling. Residents should call 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255 to speak with someone or get an immediate referral to a crisis counselor.
Dr. Anthony Speier, disaster mental health director for DHH's Office of Mental Health, is the principal program director for Louisiana Spirit. Speier said," We recognize that people who are experiencing the trauma of hurricanes Katrina and Rita can recover from this devastating event. We are working with social service agencies throughout the state to assist people who are now experiencing stress and feel overwhelmed."
"We want to assure those who need crisis counseling or just someone to talk to that no medical record in will be created in their name when they call 1-800-273-TALK ," said Speier. Anyone experiencing stress as a result of the hurricanes should call and receive help from this FEMA funded program.
Everyone who was in the hurricane-affected area has been impacted by the stress of being subjected to the wrath of Hurricane Katrina, whether they are aware of it or not. Adults and children may be experiencing a general uneasiness or malaise after their lives were assaulted by the hurricane. Even listening to repeated news programs about the hurricane can cause an individual to be depressed or blue. It is normal to feel depressed or anxious after a traumatic event. Whether the hurricane survivor is a man, woman or child, rich or poor, or of any race-depression, anxiety, and stress make no distinction.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 17-Aug-2006 12:11:48