Hurricane Sandy Recovery Information and Resources
To Friends and Partners:
As New York recovers from Hurricane Sandy, CHCANYS is working closely with health centers in areas directly impacted by the storm to assess damage and monitor emerging needs while collaborating with state, local, and federal partners to assure the availability of needed resources and supplies. Through on-the-ground outreach and communication, the CHCANYS Emergency Management Team is helping centers to mobilize immediate recovery efforts while assuring that strategies are in place for long-term stability.
This webpage contains information and resources you will need as you move forward. We know that for some of you, it will take awhile for things to return to normal. We will be with you every step of the way. You will continue to receive information from us through e-mail blasts and website updates, and we encourage you to contact us at EMteam@chcanys.org if you need emergency management assistance or if you can offer assistance to others.
Please be assured that we will get through this very difficult time together.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth H. Swain President and CEO
New York State Resources
Financial Assistance / Grant Opportunities
NYC Nonprofit Recovery Loan Program The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and the Ford Foundation, along with several other funders, have initiated a $26 million loan program to help nonprofits that were hurt in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. The NYC Nonprofit Recovery Loan Program is one of several initiatives recently announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg as part of an effort to help organizations rebound from the effects of the storm. The loan program will be administered by the Fund to Advance the City of New York and will give out interest-free loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Priority will be given to organizations that have suffered the most severe losses and/or are operating in the worst affected areas. The loans will be made against expected claims to be filed with the nonprofits' insurance firms, payout from FEMA, contracts and grants. To find out more about this loan program please click here.
United Way of New York City United Way of New York City (UWNYC) has established a fund to support the health and human services agencies that, due to Hurricane Sandy, are challenged in their ability to provide critical supports to individuals and families in need. UWNYC will make individual grants of up to $10,000 to community-based organizations in areas hardest hit: the Rockaways, Staten Island, Coney Island, Red Hook, and the Lower East Side. Click here for more information on eligibility criteria and the application procedure.
NEW! The Human Services Council announced the rollout of a new effort led by FPWA to document and address the needs of immigrant populations in hurricane-affected areas, especially households of undocumented or mixed immigration status. Click here for more.
Hotlines
The New York State Department of Health has opened a Provider Hotline for questions from health care providers regarding regualtions, guidelines, closures and/or damages to health facilities: 1-866-544-1303.
New York State has established a Non-Provider Helpline for New York State Residents: 1-855-NYS-SANDY (1-855-697-7263).
Health and Health Benefits
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has published a health alert for all NYC health providers. The alert relates to an increased number of respiratory related cases that have been encountered by mobile medical teams providing care in storm damaged areas. These illnesses relate to exposure to respiratory irritants in affected areas due to storm damage and the lack of access to medications in these areas due to losses of pharmacies and health care services. An increase in respiratory viral infections has also been noted. For more information, click here to see 2012 Alert #34 from the DOHMH.
FEMA Assistance The first step to receiving disaster-related needs and housing assistance is registering with FEMA. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties in New York can apply for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Those in affected areas with access to the internet may register by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or online here. FEMA is asking that those with ability to register online do so to keep phone lines open for those without connectivity and to share this information with friends and neighbors.
Click here to access a regularly updated list of FEMA Disaster Assistance Center locations. You may also check by mobile phone by texting SHELTER and a zip code to 43362.
HRSA community-based service delivery grantees located in presidentially-declared disaster areas may be eligible for federal financial assistance. To access the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) guidance regarding federal disaster assistance, including available aid programs, please click here.
HRSA recommends that grantees apply to Federal disaster assistance programs in addition to taking advantage of local and state disaster assistance programs and assistance available through nongovernmental organizations. While HRSA may have flexibility with regard to certain policies, its ability to provide financial assistance to grantees during disasters varies by program and may be limited. Grantees are advised to check with their project officer to determine any availability or flexibility in funding during emergencies.
The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers highly recommends that health centers take time over the next several days to debrief with staff on what worked well and what could have worked better during preparation, response and recovery for Hurricane Sandy. Please click for a document by the Primary Care Development Corporation on Post Event Recovery Process, plus slides from a FEMA Webinar: The Public Assistance Program presentation to help you determine your losses and improve your Emergency Operations Plans.
Relevant Policy Information Notices (PINs) for 330 Grantees Responding to Emergencies
TheFTCA Policy Manual PIN 2011- 01provides additional information regarding emergency site establishment outside of the grantee’s service area, starting on page 13 regarding“FTCA Coverage When Responding to Emergency Events.”
PIN 2008-01 “Defining Scope ofProject and Policy for Requesting Changes"
Important Updates!
The federal government has authorized that every current recipient of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits living in areas/zip codes impacted by the storm will automatically get 50% of October's benefits placed on their cards. FNS is authorizing the replacement of 50% of the October benefits for households in Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan and Westchester Counties and the 76 designated ZIP codes in New York City.
The feds also approved the state waiver to allow SNAP recipients that reside in areas that currently have individual assistance designations (i.e. Bronx, Kings, Richmond, Queens, New York, Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester) to have the ability to purchase hot foods and hot food products with SNAP benefits, and to consume them on-premise, where practical, through November 30, 2012.
Health centers located in the Northeast states affected by Hurricane Sandy can receive an extension for the completion of their FY2011 PCMH Supplement Funding Special Reports, due November 1, 2012. Health centers needing an extension will have until November 30, 2012 to submit their final reports. Please make sure to alert your Project Officer if you plan to take advantage of the extension.
Given the public health emergency that currently exists as a result of the hurricane, the Office of Pharmacy Affairs has begun rolling admission to the 340B program for covered entities in New York and New Jersey as well as for new contract pharmacy arrangements between covered entities in the two states and their partners. Click here for more important information regarding registration, the dispensing/refilling of medications, and health record requirements during the health emergency.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius declared a public health emergency for New York on Wednesday, October 31. Click here to read the press release.
Additional Resources
Medications and Medical Supplies: Important drug assistance program updates, information on laboratory availability, and links to non-profit disaster relief organizations that deliver medications to people in need. Stress and Anxiety: The emotional toll that disaster brings can sometimes be more devastating than the financial strains of damage and loss of home, business, or personal property. Access resources to help you and your family recognize the signs of stress/anxiety and cope in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, including crisis intervention hotline information.
Transportation Information: Links to updated information re: the status of public transportation. Disaster Assistance for Businesses: Learn how to report storm damage to your business, submit a flood insurance claim, replace important documents that have been destroyed, and access other resources available to businesses adversely impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
Disaster Assistance - General: Access resources from the American Red Cross re: locating lost loved ones and what to expect when returning to a flood-damaged home, learn how to report storm damage to your home, submit a flood insurance claim, apply for financial assistance, assist displaced pets, and more.
Maps: Access maps detailing gas availability, shelter and food/supply distribution locations, power outage status and more.
Food and Shelter: Lists of emergency shelter locations and food / water distribution sites.
Volunteer Opportunities: Many people adversely affected by Hurricane Sandy are still in need of help. Learn about various volunteer opportunities that are currently available.
Generator Safety: Many people are currently relying on generators to power their homes and businesses. Educate yourself about common hazards encountered when using generators.
