Current Happenings
A helpful resource in this recovery process might be our Negotiating the Networks guide. If you can't find what you are looking for give us a call.
Long Term Flood Recovery Committee's and Coalitions
In many areas of Pennsylvania, Long Term Recovery Committee's have been established. These committee's are often made up of various faith communities, secular and governmental agencies and individuals. In Luzerne & Wyoming Counties the Long Term Recovery Committee's are conducting surveys with home owners of flood damaged properties. These surveys will be used to determine what resources are still needed to assist people in their recovery efforts. This link will show examples of some the Long Term Recovery Committee's work reported by the local media. Earlier in the spring a group of students from University of North Carolina Greensboro traveled to NEPA for their spring break, to volunteer with flood relief efforts, here is a video they made of their trip. To volunteer your time to assist in the flood recovery efforts or to make a donation, contact the long term recovery committee in the following counties;
Luzerne County thru Help Line at 1-888-829-1341
Wyoming County thru the United Way at 570-836-1661
Susquehanna County thru the American Red Cross at 570-278-1427
Valley Relief Council covers a specific area limited to the Athens, Sayre and Waverly NY school districts, 570-886-2415.
State Funding Cuts
The most recent state funding cuts are affecting many of the people who can afford it the least. Help Line has received a number of calls recently from people who have been affected by the Corbett Administration's implementation of limiting most adults on Medical Assistance (MA) to six prescription drugs per month. There are exceptions but this was done to cut costs. The LiHeap (Low Income Heating Assistance Program) program has also seen cut backs in eligibility and the amount of money given in grants. Other calls seeking assistance for food banks and clothing rooms have increased. Free medical clinics are often overwhelmed by individuals with no insurance.
Help Line, itself, is another program that is facing cuts despite increase demand for its services. Over the last two years over half of its state funding has been cut, resulting in the loss of 1.5 staff positions. Despite these cuts Help Line is projected to handle over 120,000 telephone calls this fiscal year, which will be a 20,000 increase over last year.
Our volume of calls indicate that people are finding it more difficult to meet their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as the old safety net of the past is showing many holes. Please contact your state legislators and express your concerns regarding the eroding of funding for services to the citizens of Pennsylvania. To find contact information for your state representative and state senator click here. Click on the county in which you live. Listed next to your town will be links to your representative or senator.
Flood Recovery Information
REPAIR TIP:
If your home was damaged in the flood and you do not have your heating source repaired yet, it is recommended that you bleed and blow out the pipes in your home. With the cold weather there is a danger of pipes freezing causing more damage in your home and ruining any repairs that you have already done.
Recovery Information
FEMA has provided helpful resources for after a flood, click here for these valuable resources. Click here for other guidelines for what to do after a flood. The American Red Cross provides tips on what to do to help recover from a disaster. PEMA also provides information on recovering from disasters.
PEMA's Guide to Cleaning Up after a Flood, Guide for Parents, Older Adults and Tips for Survivors
HOME REPAIRS
Be aware of contractors, check with the Better Business Bureau, for information on business. The can be reached at 570-614-4222 or on line.
Taxes
Flood victims may be entitled to some tax relief due to the losses they have suffered. Flood victims with federal tax questions may call the IRS Disaster Hotline at 1-866-562-5227.
Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley's
Spring Newsletter
FSAWV is Help Line's parent organization, check out the latest agency news.
Pictured from left are – Mary Agnes Kratz, 2012 Gala Chair,
Paula Jump, Latcon, Inc., President, FSAWV Board of Directors;
John Barancho, Floral Designs, 2012 Gala Co-Chair; Carol Douds,
Golden Business Machines, 2012 Gala Co-Chair; Mike Zimmerman,
Executive Director, FSAWV.
Family Service Association Will Hold their 10th Annual Gala
and Auction on Saturday, April 21th at Westmoreland Club, Wilkes-Barre
Mike Zimmerman, Executive Director of Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley (FSAWV), recently announced that FSA’s 10th Annual Gala and Auction will take place on Saturday, April 21, 2011 from 6:00 to 11:00 PM. at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre.
Chairing this year’s event is Mary Agnes Kratz, with co-chairs Carol Douds and John Barancho. Reservations are required.
Funds raised by this event support programs and services provided by FSAWV to the local community and include Help Line, the Guardianship Program, Anger in Relationships, Family Group Decision Making, High-Risk Youth Offender Reentry and Family Strengthening Initiative, and Time Limited Family Reunification.
For information on the Gala and Auction, or FSAWV programs and services, contact FSAWV at 823-5144 or email fsawv.ruthkemmerer@verizon.net .
In this economic climate, sometimes you need some assistance. There is often help available but you need to know where to turn. You can call Help Line twenty four hours a day for the latest information on available programs, or download this guide to Negotiating the Networks for assistance.
Public Alert System
Luzerne County has launched a new public alert system that will send text messages and e-mails to residents regarding emergencies and weather warnings.
In addition to severe weather updates, the system will be used to send information alerts such as missing children, Susquehanna River conditions, emergency conditions at the PPL Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Salem Township and emergencies related to Marcellus Shale gas wells throughout the county.
To sign up for the alert notification service, go to https://luzerne.alertpa.org
Dial 2-1-1
2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember three-digit phone number that brings people and services together.
The essence of 2-1-1 is in its simplicity:
- 2-1-1 is for everyone and can be remembered by everyone.
- 2-1-1 is free and confidential.
- 2-1-1 makes the entire human services sector at every level of government work more efficiently.
- 2-1-1 has proven itself time after time as an invaluable resource in the aftermath of a disaster.
- 2-1-1 is the number to call to give help and to get help.
Pennsylvania is one of two states that does not have a 2-1-1 system. Contact your local legislators and ask them to support 2-1-1.
Additional information can be found at 2-1-1.
Road Conditions
Local road conditions are always a concern, check the local PennDot District 4 web site or call 570-963-4044 for the latest road conditions.
For statewide conditions click on the PennDot Traveler Information site. Another site for information regarding Interstate 81, where you can sign up for traffic alerts is Focus 81.
The PA Turnpike conditions can be reached at 1-800-331-3414, then choosing Option #2, then Option #92. The latest web information for the Turnpike can be found here.
Latest recall information from the FDA and Consumer Product Safety Commission
Follow these links to the FDA and the CPSC which will provide you with the latest information regarding recalls and warnings.
AT&T Wireless offers tips on how to make the best use of cell phones
in case of natural disasters or other catastrophes.
- Program all emergency and family contact information into your phone.
- Have a communications plan. Designate someone outside the area as a central contact.
- Keep batteries charged at all times, keep available extra batteries or a car charger in cases of extended power outages.
- Keep your phone dry and out of the elements.
- Forward your home number to your cell phone. Forwarding is done from the telephone companies central office, so your calls can be forwarded even if your land line is out of order.
- Use text messaging, which often will go through more quickly than a voice call.
- Keep non-emergency calls to a minimum and limit calls to the most important ones.
S.P.I.N. 911
(Supporting People In Need of 911)
This new and vital initiative seeks to provide emergency responders with vital information when responding to a crisis at the home of an individual with mental retardation/developmental disabilities. For more information contact the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties MH/MR Program at 570-825-9441 or 1-800-732-6330.
Red Cross Blood Drives
Donor Site - Luzerne County NEPA Region Blood Services
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Donor Site - Lackawanna County 208 Meadow Ave., Scranton
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For latest blood donation information, check Red Cross NEPA Region Blood Services.