ASSISTANCE
T.I.R.S.E.K.
(Tornado Interagency Recovery of Southeast Kansas)
Thanks to Kip Kennedy for attending our October 5, 2003 meeting
about the rebuilding of Franklin. Kip provided us with valuable information
about help that is available to residents. Following are links to a
letter that was sent to Southeast Kansas Residents, an application form and
the May 16, 2003 issue of Recovery Times which has much valuable information
for disaster victims.
Disaster Recovery Center Open
(This is no longer available in Arma.)
Crawford County, Ks. - To further assist individuals
and businesses affected by the severe tornadoes that began May 4, the State
of Kansas and the Federal Emeergency Management Agency (FEMA) are opening
a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Crawford County. The loction
is the Arma Community Center, 508 East Washington Street, Arma, Ks.
Effective Monday, May 12, 2003 the hours of operation will be Monday through
Saturday from 9 am - 6 pm until further notice.
Disaster Recover Centers are designed to provife personal assistance
to those who have already applied for help and may have further questions.
The centers are staffed by state, federal and voluntary agencies,
including loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
PLEASE NOTE: Financial assistance is not directly provided from these
centers.
DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Apply by Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
Please have the following information available when you call:
- A phone number in case we ned to call you back.
- Social Security Number
- Current Mailing Address
- Address of the Damaged Property
- Brief Description of Damages
- Insurance information (if you have insurance)
If you are eligible for disaster assistance, you may choose
to have the assistance check deposited direvctly into your bank account.
Provide bank account information only when YOU call the number above.
Government disaster assistance covers basic neefds only and will
not normally compensate you for your entire loss. I fyou have insurance,
the goernment may help pay for basic neefds not covered under your insurance
policy. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid bak, while other
forms of help may come in the form of loans.
Disaster Child Care offering free services
for many area residents
(Please check with the United Methodist Campus Center
to see if this is still available)
Starting today, free child care will be provided for southeast
Kansas and Carl Junction, Mo., area residents who were impacted by the
May 4 tornadoes.
Care will be available from noon to 8 p.m. for children aged 6 and
younger at the United Methodist Campus Center, 201 E. Williams.
Disaster Child Care is a program of Emergency Response/Service Ministries
of the Church of the Brethren General Board, based at the Brethren Service
Center in New Windsor, Md.
"While their parents or guardians work with clean-up and other activities
related to the disaster, they may bring the children to us," said Lorna
J. Grow, project manager.
She said that a crew of five persons, all volunteers, will come in
from Iowa to serve as staff. "All of the caregivers are trained and certified,
and have undergone background checks," she said.
Grow said that Disaster Child Care was established in 1980. "Our national
disaster coordinator at the time realized that children weren't being cared
for during times of disaster," she said. "He went to the national office
and worked with a child development specialist to develop this program.
In 1980 we provided our first child care, at a flood in Kalamazoo, Mich."
While this is a Church of the Brethren ministry, Grow said that the
program is ecumenical, with volunteers from many denominations and faith
communities.
They are trained to provide personal attention, comfort and acceptance
to children whose homes and families have been impacted by a disaster,
as well give these children the opportunity and encouragement to express
their feelings through appropriate play activities. They can also provide
information, counsel and comfort to parents, other disaster workers, churches,
schools and the community concerning the impact of disaster on children.
Volunteers sometimes have to provide these services in difficult situations.
"We've done child care under stairwells, in closets and garages,"
Grow said, adding that she is very grateful to have the use of facilities
at the United Ministries Center.
Disaster Child Care works in cooperation with the American Red cross,
and also networks with other agencies.
Grow said that no time line has been set regarding the presence of
Disaster Child Care in the area.
"This will be dictated by the need," she said. "If there aren't any
children who need care, we'll pack up and go home. If there are, we'll
be here."
