The TRIAD Service AmeriCorps Program was featured on the latest Disaster Brief, an national e-newsletter through the Corporation for National & Community Service. 

 

CNCS Disaster Brief Update 3/14/2013

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) Disaster Services Unit (DSU) has agency-wide responsibility for coordination of CNCS disaster services activities. The DSU provides expertise, ongoing support, and access to a network of dedicated volunteers. CNCS subscribes to the belief that all disasters are local. Our focus is on enhancing and adding value to what already exists in communities and infrastructure -- working in partnership with State Service Commissions, local government, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations.

 

 

USM's TRIAD AmeriCorps Members Help with Tornado Clean-Up University of Southern Mississippi's Training, Resources and Information for the Advancement of Disability (TRIAD) AmeriCorps members recently served USM to help clean up debris.  On February 10th, an EF4 tornado ripped through the campus, leaving debris and damaged buildings. TRIAD Service AmeriCorps focuses on assisting students with disabilities in the transition to adulthood.  This transition includes national service, employment, post-secondary education, adult healthcare services and more.

 

Mississippi Tornadoes and Severe Weather

Volunteer Mississippi Update:

Volunteer Hattiesburg, the state’s newest Volunteer Center, is spearheading a Joint Volunteer Response Center (VRC) in the Hattiesburg Train Depot. The VRC will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, and will be closed on Sundays until further notice. Volunteers will be registered and deployed to help at various sites managed by local organizations. Any relief organization needing additional volunteers can submit a request at the physical location of the VRC, or by emailing Dena Parker at r3smdena@megagate.com.

This is a tremendous feat, made possible by collaboration between Volunteer Hattiesburg  and R3SM,Inc., the USM Center for Community and Civic Engagement, Lamar County and Forrest County Emergency Operations, the United Way of South Mississippi Volunteer Center, Mississippi VOAD partners, Volunteer Mississippi, AmeriCorps programs and other city, community and faith-based organizations. Please share your volunteer photos, videos and stories with us via Twitter and Facebook.

Volunteering

Volunteers wishing to help with disaster relief can go to the VRC located at the Hattiesburg Train Depot (308 Newman Street).

Want to help with Hattiesburg area recovery, but don’t want to do manual labor?Volunteer Hattiesburg will be training volunteers to assist in operating the Volunteer Response Center at the Hattiesburg Train Depot. After training, you can quickly make use of your new-found skills registering volunteers.

Donations

Items: If you are a company or an organization with access to large volumes of items and would like to donate them to disaster relief efforts or other humanitarian efforts, please visit AidMatrix Mississippi.

Financial Donations: You may also donate funds to the Governor’s Disaster Relief Fund, support Salvation Army Disaster response by texting STORM to 80888, and text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Current Programs on the ground include:

• NCCC-FEMA Corps
  15 members have been deployed to Mississippi to support FEMA response operations in affected areas.
• AmeriCorps NCCC Southern Region
  9 members have deployed to Hattiesburg, MS to support Recover, Rebuild, Restore Southeast Mississippi’s (R3SM) with Volunteer Recovery Center support, needs assessments and training other emergency management organizations to utilize the VRC database.  The team will conclude their deployment on 4/14/13.

Hurricane Sandy

In response to Hurricane Sandy, CNCS Disaster Service Unit is coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the American Red Cross, Points of Light, Hands On Network, and state and local authorities, among others to provide much needed services to Sandy impacted areas.

As ordered by the President of the United States, CNCS is one of several government agencies designated to work with HUD Secretary Donavon on the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force.

• More than 2,400 national service participants have deployed in response to Hurricane Sandy,
• Currently, 205 national service members are on the ground providing Volunteer Reception administration and support, mucking and gutting and debris removal services.

NEW JERSEY
Currently more than 32 national service members are supporting response and recovery efforts.  Overall, more than 808 national service members have responded to support disaster response and recovery operations.

Members are working in Atlantic, Monmouth and Ocean counties with county FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons, Weekend Warriors, municipalities, and faith-based organizations such as the Southern Baptists and the United Methodists to administer Volunteer Reception Centers, recruit and train unaffiliated volunteers and leverage these volunteers to support homeowner identified work orders for mucking, gutting and debris removal. 

Current Programs on the ground include:

• Minnesota-Iowa Conservation Corps
  8 members have deployed to support Volunteer Reception Centers under FEMA Mission Assignment.
• Southwest Conservation Corps
  7 members have deployed to support Volunteer Reception Centers under FEMA Mission Assignment.
• Texas Conservation Corps at American YouthWorks
  10 members have been deployed to support Volunteer Reception Centers under FEMA Mission Assignment.
• Washington Service Corps
  4 members have been deployed by the American Red Cross to support Client Casework Management in Toms River, North Jersey and North Brunswick.
• Washington Conservation Corps
  3 staff members have deployed to administer Volunteer Reception Centers under FEMA Mission Assignment.
• CNCS Disaster Cadre
  1 CNCS staff member is deployed to support FEMA Mission Assignment deployed program throughout the state of New Jersey.

Additional support in NJ has also been received from the following programs:

• AmeriCorps VISTA
• AmeriCorps New Jersey State programs
• AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps
• Minnesota and Iowa Conservation Corps
• AmeriCorps St. Louis
• Great Oak Charter School AmeriCorps
• American Red Cross of Greater Columbus
• AmeriCorps Together We Prepare
• Washington Service Corps
• College of New Jersey VISTA Program
• New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Violence AmeriCorps
• American Red Cross Preparedness and Response Corps deployed to NY, NJ, and PA

NEW YORK

More than 173 national service members are supporting response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy in New York.  Overall, more than 1,300 national service members in New York have responded to support disaster response and recovery operations.

Current Programs on the ground include:

• NCCC-FEMA Corps
  161 members have been deployed to New York to support FEMA response operations
• AmeriCorps NCCC North Central Region
  9 members have been deployed by the American Red Cross to support Client Casework intake in New York City.  This team will conclude their deployment on 4/1/13.
• Washington Service Corps
  3 members have been deployed by the American Red Cross to New York City to support Client Casework Management.

Additional support in NY has been received from the following programs:

• American Red Cross of Greater Columbus
• RSVP of Westchester
• Massachusetts Service Alliance, Barnstable County AmeriCorps 
• Washington Service Corps
• AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps
• Community Service Society NYC RSVP
• Service Society VISTA
• Habitat for Humanity
• VISTA
• YouthBuild and many more…

CONNECTICUT, MARLAND, RHODE ISLAND, & WEST VIRGINIA

More than 460 national service members from the following programs have support disaster response and recovery operations since the landfall of Hurricane Sandy:

• Massachusetts Service Alliance
• AmeriCorps VISTA
• Ready to Learn Providence AmeriCorps
• Eastbay Community Action AmeriCorps
• AmeriCorps Together We Prepare
• Council of Southern Mountain RSVP
• West Virginia’s Promise AmeriCorps VISTA
• Washington Service Corps
• American Red Cross of Greater Columbus
• Teach for America
• RSVP
• Waterbury AmeriCorps
• Northwestern Connecticut Area Health Education AmeriCorps
• Health Service Corps
• Public Allies
• United Way of Southeastern Connecticut AmeriCorps
• Bridgeport Foster Grandparent
• AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps

NEW DISASTER EVENTS

For information on new disaster events, please visit FEMA’s daily situation report.

RESOURCES

How to Volunteer or Donate to Hurricane Sandy Response Efforts

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) regularly updates volunteer information at the online hub for national service response to Hurricane Sandy: http://www.nationalservice.go/sandy OR check into one of the Volunteer Reception Centers operating in New Jersey and New York:

New Jersey VRCs

Atlantic County VRC

(609) 508-2189

Brigantine Community Center, 265 42nd Street, Brigantine, NJ 08203

acamericorpsresponse@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/acamericorpsresponse

www.twitter.com/AC_Americorps

 

Monmouth County VRC

(609) 508-2500

Monmouth County VRC

Croydon Hall Gymnasium

900 Leonardville Road

Middletown, NJ

americorpsmonmouthcounty@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/americorpsreliefmonmouthcounty

www.twitter.com/AC_monmouth

 

Ocean County VRCs

732-804-9859

115 6th Ave., Ortley Beach, New Jersey

And

775 East Bay Avenue, Stafford Township

oceancountyamericorpsresponse@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/ocaresponse       

www.twitter.com/OceanCountyAmeriCor

New York VRC

http://newyorkcares.org/volunteer/volunteer_opportunities/search_projects/projcodesearch.php?projcode=hurricane+sandy&location=&neighborhood=&dow=&x=0&y=0&pass=1&page=1

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD) has posted information on how individuals can give their time or resources to those affected by the storm.  For more information, please visit: http://www.nvoad.org/help

American Red Cross Disaster Relief - Become an American Red Cross Spontaneous Volunteer by contacting Leslie R. Fletcher, Director of Volunteer Administration, at leslie.fletcher@redcross.org or (215) 405-8558 or (267) 246-4521.

Jersey Cares - Anyone who wants to volunteer in NJ can call 1-800-JERSEY7.

Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990

The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, year-round crisis counseling and support.  The Helpline is staffed by trained counselors from a network of crisis call centers located across the United States, all of whom provide:

• Crisis counseling for those who are in emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster
• Information on how to recognize distress and its effects on individuals and families
• Tips for healthy coping
• Disaster-specific resources and referral information.

If you would like to learn more about how to prepare your family and/or community please visit www.ready.gov.

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The CNCS Disaster Services Unit can be reached at DSU@cns.gov and is staffed by:

Kelly DeGraff, Senior Advisor
Katrina French, Disaster Services Program Officer
Jen Prall, Disaster Services Program Officer

 

Please recognize AmeriCorps members as it is National AmeriCorps Week.  IDS has the TRIAD Service AmeriCorps Program.  To learn more about this program and see the members, visit http://www.usm.edu/disability-studies/triad-americorps-overview.  Learn more about AmeriCorps in general below . . .

 

 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/03/11/americorps-service-sacrifice-and-solutions

 

AmeriCorps: Service, Sacrifice, and Solutions

 

Each generation of Americans embraces the belief that no problem is too big for a determined group of people to conquer. This challenge is central to national service, which gives thousands of Americans a chance to unite with like-minded people and work toward improving the lives of our most-vulnerable citizens.

 

Each year, we take time to honor this American tradition of service as we mark AmeriCorps Week.

During this week, March 9^th – 17^th, we salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their service, thank AmeriCorps community partners, and communicate AmeriCorps’ impact on communities and on the lives of those who serve.

Since 1994, more than 800,000 AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1 billion hours in service to others across America. Currently, more than 75,000 AmeriCorps members are touching the lives of millions as they tackle challenges that improve lives, strengthen communities, expand economic opportunity, and bolster civic and faith-based organizations.

 

AmeriCorps may be one of America’s best assets, with members making an impact through organizations such as the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Public Allies, and Teach for America. In addition, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) and VISTA, the longtime anti-poverty program, are transforming communities every day.

 

Service is a proven solution for our nation whether national service members are providing disaster relief and recovery services in the AmeriCorps NCCC and its FEMA Corps unit; enhancing educational outcomes through teaching, tutoring, or mentoring efforts; or supporting veterans and military families with re-entry and employment services.

 

The following are just a few examples of how AmeriCorps members are “working for America”:

• In the past year, I met with and witnessed the work of the more than 2,400 AmeriCorps members who participated in relief and recovery efforts for Hurricane Sandy. Disasters require an immediate response to needs in the immediate aftermath of the storm as well as longer-term recovery efforts that benefit storm survivors.
• More than 17,000 veterans have served in AmeriCorps since its inception, helping other veterans and military families get benefits and services; obtain job training and conduct job searches; provide safe and affordable housing; and mentor and tutor children of service members.
• The Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service recently announced the formation of the School Turnaround AmeriCorps, a new program that will support a dedicated unit of national service members who will provide additional support and resources in the nation’s persistently underachieving schools.

Service initiatives like AmeriCorps do more than move communities forward; they serve their members by creating jobs and providing pathways to opportunity for young people entering the workforce. AmeriCorps places thousands of young adults into intensive service positions where they learn valuable work skills, earn money for education, and develop an appreciation for citizenship.

 

AmeriCorps is a program that’s right for the times in which we live and demonstrates what happens when our nation invests in “getting things done.”

Jonathan Greenblatt is Special Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation at the Domestic Policy Council

 

FEMA and NOAA Promote National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

March 3 - 9, 2013

 

Know Your Risk, Take Action, Be a Force of Nature

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are continuing their partnership to increase public awareness of the hazards posed by severe weather and the common-sense steps we can all take to be better prepared. March 3 marks the start of National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Severe weather affects everyone and FEMA and NOAA are asking for your help to increase awareness and to motivate individuals, families, businesses, and communities to know their risk, take action, and be an example through the Be a Force of Nature pledge campaign.

Each year, individuals are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and other types of severe weather, despite advance warning. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries. Severe weather knows no boundaries and affects the whole community and because of this we are committed to supporting the safety of our communities and we’re calling on you to Pledge to Prepare and to help us Be a Force of Nature.

What can you do to prepare and help us spread the word?

Knowing your risk, taking action and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared:

• Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Every state in the United States has experienced tornadoes and severe weather, so everyone is exposed to some degree of risk. Check the weather forecast regularly and visit ready.gov/severe-weather to learn more about how to be better prepared and how you can protect your family during emergencies.

• Pledge and Take Action: Be Force of Nature by taking the Pledge to Prepare at ready.gov/severe-weather. When you pledge to prepare, you will take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes developing your family communications plan that you can email to yourself, building an emergency kit, and storing important papers and valuables in a safe place,

Stay informed about severe weather by having multiple sources for weather alerts. Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio and check to see if your cell phone is equipped to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts.  Sign up for weather alerts from local emergency management officials and visit www.weather.gov/subscribe for other sources.

• Be an Example: Once you have taken action and pledged to Be a Force of Nature, share your story with your family and friends. Create a video and post on a video sharing site, post your story on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, comment on a preparedness blog, or share through any other social media site. Technology, today, makes it easier than ever to be a good example and share the steps you took to help build a Weather-Ready Nation.

Our goal is to inform the public about severe weather hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take action. As part of National Severe Weather Preparedness Week we have developed a toolkit with templates designed to aid in informing the public about severe weather. Within the toolkit you will find a (1) Press Release, (2) Blog Post, (3) Opinion-Editorial, (4) Talking Points, and (5) Social Media Tools.

Join today and pledge to be prepared for the severe weather in your area. We also ask you to visit ready.gov/severe-weather or noaa.gov/wrn to pledge and learn more information on tornadoes and severe thunderstorms to be better prepared.

Contact:  FEMA’S Office of Disability Integration and Coordination at FEMA-Disability-Integration-Coordination@FEMA.DHS.GOV or by telephone 202-646-4100

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

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Seek and Destroy Mold - The Spoiler - Fast

Main Content

Release date: 

FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Release Number: 

4101-019

PURVIS, Miss. – As Mississippians clean up from the recent storms, tornadoes, and flooding, some will have to deal with mold before returning home. Mold can be a health hazard; it can also cause structural damage.

It’s important to recognize mold and to remove it safely before moving back into or repairing a residence.

Mold needs three things to spread: a food source (paper, wood, leaves etc.), moisture, and a place to grow. People can have severe reactions to mold. Those with asthma, allergies and other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold. People with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to infections caused by mold.

Mold also can cause structural damage. When wood gets wet and moldy and then dries, it can warp. Walls can crack and the building can weaken.

Quick action can minimize health risks and damage caused by mold – and stop its spread:

·         Open windows and doors and use fans to dry out the building.  If possible, use wet vacuums to remove water and use dehumidifiers in closed spaces.

·         Remove baseboards and soaked drywall to a foot above the watermark and discard. Drain walls by drilling holes or pulling non-porous paneling away from the studs. Check the inside of walls for mold.

·         Wash hard, non-absorbent surfaces (metal, glass, solid wood, plastic) with non-ammonia detergent and hot water. Scrub rough surfaces such as concrete. Disinfect all cleaned surfaces with a solution of water and bleach; rinse with water after 10 minutes.

·         Remove absorbent materials that have been wet for more than 48 hours and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. That includes carpets and padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation, leather, wood, paper, food and clothing.

·         When in doubt throw it out!

If the area to be cleaned is larger than 10 square feet or if assistance is required to complete cleanup, consult a professional contractor.

The basic rule is: if you can see or smell mold, eliminate the excess moisture then, cleanup and remove the mold.

Be safe during cleanup:

·         Never mix bleach with ammonia; the fumes are toxic.

·         Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.

·         Air out the working area by opening doors and windows and using fans.

·         Protect your lungs. Use an N-95 respiratory mask that can be purchased at most hardware stores for about $10.

For more information, see:

Mississippi Department of Health: http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/_static/43,0,230,331.html

Centers for Disease Control: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/

Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/mold/cleanupguidelines.html

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.