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The 100 Most Frequently Asked Questions on the Education Rights of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations (NEW)
This document provides answers to 100 frequently asked questions on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the education rights of children and youth in homeless situations. The answers are general responses based on the law. It cannot be emphasized enough that these are general responses, and that answers could change based on the facts of a particular case. McKinney-Vento issues require a case-specific inquiry. The document is meant to provide basic information and tools to assist parents, youth, educators and advocates in understanding the McKinney-Vento Act.

After the Storm: Information for Parents on How Schools Can Help After Disasters
A handbook for parents.

Crisis Counseling Services are Widely Available to Hurricane Katrina Survivors
The program, administered by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, is funded by FEMA and available to Alabamians of eleven disaster-declared counties and evacuees. Project Rebound Personnel continue to visit communities throughout the state, working in partnership with a range of agencies, both public and private, to bring services to individuals suffering from disaster-related stress, and to receive referrals. Alabama residents and evacuees in need of counseling can call the toll-free Help-Line, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number is 800-971-7401.

Working with Trauma Survivors: What workers need to know
This site describes the symptoms and treatment of PTSD that disaster workers often see in victims and in themselves.

Mississippi's Project Recovery Available To All Affected By Hurricane Katrina
Project Recovery, funded by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and facilitated with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will provide crisis counseling services to anyone affected directly or indirectly by Hurricane Katrina. The Project Recovery Helpline has been established and is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-866-856-3227.

Tips for Helping Children and AdolescentsAfter Disasters
A spreadsheet of behaviors, responses, and examples of things to do and say to help your preschooler after a disaster. This is aPDF file.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) Fund
A gift of $500,000 for the relief of people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities who survived the ravages of Hurricane Katrina and other recent hurricanes, has just been made to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA). Applications Available.

Katrina Health
People affected by Hurricane Katrina who have run out of medications or cannot remember which prescription drugs they need take or how many pills a day or are have been unable to contact their regular doctor, clinic, or hospital can get help. Katrina Health, an on-line service allows you along licensed doctors and pharmacists anywhere in the United Stateshelp you get information about your own prescription medicines.

Health and Safety After A Hurricane
The FDA has important information about the safety of food, water, medication and medical devises that may have been affected by a Hurricane.

Information for People Who Have Disabilities
Persons with Disabilities will find many helpful resources covering a number of important topics both general and specific to a particular disability

Hurricane Disaster Relief Efforts for People with Disabilities and Their Families
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many organizations are targeting relief efforts to the special needs of individuals with disabilities the their families effected by the disaster. This site contains a few links to organizations who are collecting funds and supplies and information for these families.

Crisis Hotline Available for Victims of Hurricane Katrina
This site provides instructions and contact information for people who are emotionally distressed or suicidal. People may call at any time from anywhere in the nation to talk to a trained worker who will listen to and assist callers in getting the mental health help they need. The toll-free crises hotline number is 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

CDC Immunization Recommendations
This site includes information on the vaccines people should obtain in order to prevent contracting certain illnesses that may course through the affected regions during the aftermath of Katrina. Additionally, it includes child, adolescent, and adult schedules for acquiring vaccines. This may help those who have lost their immunization records remain up-to-date with the vaccines they may need.

CDC Coping with Traumatic Events
This site has information on how to handle oneself after suffering a traumatic experience. It begins by providing an explanation of what constitutes a traumatic event, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, it details what symptoms to look for in order to assess whether someone is suffering from the disorder, and it mentions certain items one should consider before seeking professional help.

CDC Wound Care
This site has information on how to care for minor wounds, and it contains information on what to consider before treating certain wounds that may need a health care professional's assistance.

CDC Temporary Medical Information Form
This form is intended to be a temporary medical record for those victims seeking care during disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina. Many people will not be able to access their medical records; but by filling out this form, they will be able to help clinicians learn about their past and new health information.

CDC Respiratory Hygiene & Etiquette
For those individuals who are crowded together in confined spaces, such as evacuation centers, become highly susceptible to outbreaks of respiratory illnesses. In order to prevent transmitting certain illnesses, the CDC provides some simple measures that everyone should take while residing in such quarters.

CMS Help for Katrina Stricken Beneficiaries/Providers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are ensuring that they will be able to waive certain documentation procedures in order for health care providers to treat patients in the devastated states. In addition, they are also waiving the documentation that patients need in order to receive medical attention.

FDA Insulin Information
This site focuses on informingsurvivors of Hurricane Katrina with regard to insulin storage, its potency in certain temperatures, and switching insulin brands during emergency situations.

HRSA List of Operating Health Care Facilities
The Health Resources and Services Administration site contains this excel document that provides a listing of health care facilities within Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It lists the locations of all of the facilities as well as their status with regard to being fully operational. The locations that are unable to provide services are highlighted in peach. Please keep in mind that this list is continually being updated.

ADA Suggestion for Diabetics in Emergencies
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) offers some advice on what Katrina-affected diabetics should do in an emergency situation. These suggestions are in response to a number of questions the ADA has received in the aftermath of the hurricane.

NIAID Response to Hurricane Katrina
The National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases has provided a toll free number to those affected by the disaster. The number connects individuals to round-the-clock volunteers for free medical consultations regarding various ailments.

NCI Helping Cancer Patients
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is helping cancer patients continue their treatments as best they can in light of Katrina. It provides telephone and internet information for those looking to contact NCI for reasons pertaining to research and treatments.

Statewide Web Sites
Other valuable sources of legal information are the statewide web sites in each of these states. Legal information on Health can be found by clicking on your state below:

Texas State Bar Resource Manual
Resource materials with the answers to frequently asked legal questions for those displaced by Katrina. The Health section begins at page 63.

Morrison & Foerster Katrina Helping Handbook - Mental Health Resources
Resource materials with the answers to frequently asked legal questions for those displaced by Katrina. The Mental Health Resources section begins at page 124.