School Meal Finder
Select your state and/or provide your address below to find meal sites while schools are closed. This site currently has data for Louisiana, Tennessee, Virginia, and Texas, provided by state education agencies, plus some data from California and Alabama provided by local districts
https://schoolmealfinder.hoonuit.com/
TX: https://txschools.gov/
LA: https://cnp.doe.louisiana.gov/ServingSites/
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
- Text TalkWithUs to 66746
- Use your preferred relay service to call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990
- TTY 1-800-846-8517
Spanish Speakers
- Call 1-800-985-5990 and press “2”
- From the 50 States, text Hablanos to 66746
- From Puerto Rico, text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663
- En Español
Coronavirus Rumor Control
The purpose of this FEMA page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. Do your part to the stop the spread of disinformation by doing 3 easy things; don’t believe the rumors, don’t pass them along and go to trusted sources of information to get the facts about the federal (COVID-19) response.
Information
Coronavirus Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures
Consistent with the President’s national emergency declaration for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on March 13, 2020, FEMA urges officials to, without delay, take appropriate actions that are necessary to protect public health and safety pursuant to public health guidance and conditions and capabilities in their jurisdictions. FEMA provides the following guidance on the types of emergency protective measures that may be eligible under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program in accordance with the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration in order to ensure that resource constraints do not inhibit efforts to respond to this unprecedented disaster.
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FEMA Podcast, Episode 83
The FEMA Podcast is an audio series available to anyone interested in learning more about the agency, hearing about innovation in the field of emergency management, and listening to stories about communities and individuals recovering after disasters.
Listen Now
FEMA Podcast Episode 70: The 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
July 26 marked the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This sweeping civil rights legislation expanded on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by federally funded entities. To mark the 30th anniversary of the legislation, the FEMA podcast features a discussion with the director of FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration, Linda Mastandrea. The discussion focuses on how emergency management has worked to serve people with disabilities over the past 30 years and how the agency is looking ahead in the coronavirus pandemic environment to ensure we’re best serving all disaster survivors. To learn more about the ADA, including the full text of the law, visit ADA.gov. Visit the FEMA blog to read about 30 ways FEMA supports emergency preparedness, response and recovery for people with disabilities or to read a message from the director of the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, Linda Mastandrea.
CDC has launched a new website, Natural Disasters, Severe Weather, and COVID-19, that includes information on preparedness and recovery during the COVID-19 response and what the general public can do to keep themselves safe.
Long-Term Disaster Recovery Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities
The Long-Term Disaster Recovery Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities addresses long-term recovery needs for individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs, post-disaster. This toolkit is designed for Long-Term Recovery Committees/Groups (LTRC/LTRG), disaster case managers, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), educators, school personnel, offices of emergency management, community-based organizations, disability-related organizations, and individuals with disabilities and/or access and functional needs.
Information
Coping with Grief After Community Violence
This SAMHSA tip sheet introduces some of the signs of grief and anger after an incident of community violence, provides useful information about to how to cope with grief, and offers tips for helping children deal with grief.
Download
Mass Violence/Community Violence
This SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS) installment is a collection of resources about common reactions to incidents of mass violence, community violence, and terrorism; tips for coping with such incidents; and ways to support children and youth in coping.
More Information
The Impact of Disaster and Mass Violence Events on Mental Health
This online article from the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) describes common reactions that disaster survivors may experience. While most reactions lessen over time, some may turn into long-term and severe responses, such as PTSD.
More Information
Updated EOP ASSIST Software and Interactive Workbook
Several years ago, the REMS TA Center created two school emergency operations plan (EOP) generator tools that education agencies can download and install/use for FREE to create a customized EOP. These tools were designed according to best practices and years of work in school emergency management. Both tools were recently updated.
EOP ASSIST software application. Interactive Workbook. EOP Interactive Tools Flyer. SITE ASSESS
FEMA Releases Updated Community Lifelines Toolkit
The “Community Lifelines Implementation Toolkit 2.0” and the “Incident Stabilization Guide,” which provide updated information and resources to better understand and implement Community Lifelines throughout the emergency management community.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.S. Department of State Release Guide to Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
The guide provides a step-by-step approach to developing, implementing, and refining related policies and programs for a range of stakeholders, including experts in security, counterterrorism, crisis management and emergency response. The guide acknowledges that the effectiveness of critical infrastructure protection is greatly enhanced when based on an approach that considers all threats and hazards.
Information
Texas General Land Office – Training
As a partner in the recovery process, the GLO is committed to providing Technical Assistance and Training to its subrecipients. With current CDBG-DR allocations spanning impacted counties with over 75% of the state’s population, the number of communities participating as subrecipients continues to grow. The GLO continues to conduct kickoff and informational meetings with subrecipients regarding 2015 and 2016 Floods and Hurricane Harvey funds. The GLO will be developing training materials on the most important topics for administering CDBG-DR funds. These topics include:
- Uniform Relocation Act
- Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
- Davis Bacon
- Financial Management
- Procurement
- Program Income
- Section 3
Information
What Is a Grant
The What is… Blog Series is designed to serve as an entry point for readers who are new to federal grants, or who might just need a refresher. This series includes: What is a Budget Narrative, what is a Need Statement, and many more topics.
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Publication – The 2019 Annual State of Grantseeking Report
The State of Grantseeking Survey spotlights recent developments in funding so that organizations can be more strategic in their grantseeking. This free report serves as a valuable benchmark for organizations to review their grantseeking efforts, report on performance, and plan for the future. This leading-edge information is a key analytics tool for all organizations.
Download and see PUBLICATION-The_2019_State_of_Grantseeking_Report_(2019)
Resource: Bridging Apps and Technology Improving the Lives for People with Disabilities
Bridging Apps is a program of Easter Seals that supports the use of technology to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. The have collected a range of apps that related to preparedness and emergencies. You can find them here: Link Bridging Apps will be adding apps to this list throughout hurricane season and will continue to do trainings with groups on these apps, both in person and virtually. Please direct any questions to Cristen Reat: CReat@eastersealshouston.org.
Grant Guide: FEMA Publishes New Disaster Guide
FEMA published the New Recipients of Disaster Grants Guide, a centralized resource document for state, local, tribal and territorial governments. This guide provides streamlined guidance on the essential elements of Public Assistance (PA), Individual Assistance (IA), and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and required actions to request, initiate and receive FEMA disaster assistance grants.
Information
The Long-Term Disaster Recovery Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities
The Long-Term Disaster Recovery Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities is a resource for supporting people with disabilities and other access and functional needs recovering from disasters.
Information
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