I received an e-mail with the following information from PPAT:
Private Provider and Family Assistance:
1.) Mr. Chris Tilly, Executive Director of CARSA (Community and Residential Services Association) in Louisiana shared that several thousand providers have evacuated New Orleans, and a number of their group and community homes were destroyed by the hurricane. Housing is the most immediate need, it is estimated that it will take 6-8 months to rebuild or relocate these individuals back into group and community homes. Chris said they are looking for individual or group home, facility, hotel, and/or camping ground accommodations for the dislocated special needs population. He knows where many of the providers and the families they served are located. If you can offer housing, or clothes, special needs equipment, etc., Chris would love for you to contact him at 225-343-8811 (his home – try this number first) then 225-346-8076. More information can be found on their website: carsa@aol.com.
2.) Richard Hernandez with Educare is working with their New Orleans contacts to find housing for staff and their families who will be assisting with the increased care demands that Educare’s ICF/MRs in Texas will experience due to enrollment of displaced consumers. If you have housing availability, especially in Austin or San Antonio, for ICF/MR staff and their families, please contact Richard Hernandez at (512) 569.4585
3.) The Arc of the United States will be serving as a conduit for donations to the chapters in need of our support. We will be accepting donations through our web site at www.thearc.org (click the red “Donate Now” button, fill out the requested information and be sure to select “The Arc’s Katrina Relief Fund” under the “My gift is in support of” section) and through regular mail sent to The Arc of the United States, ATTN: The Arc’s Katrina Relief Fund, 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 650, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
4.) Guidance for Texas NFs Assisting in the Louisiana Relief Effort
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, several nursing facilities located in eastern Texas have been contacted by Louisiana nursing facilities who are seeking assistance in caring for their elderly residents. Specifically, these Louisiana providers are asking the Texas providers to admit and provide care for their residents until their operations can recover from the damage inflicted by Katrina. As could be expected, our Texas facilities are eager to assist their Louisiana counterparts, but have regulatory and reimbursement concerns in regard to this unique situation.
4a.) Regulatory / Payment Issues
THCA has contacted the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and has obtained some general guidance in regard to these issues:
· Reimbursement for services is an issue that is to be worked out between the two nursing facilities.
· Texas Nursing Facilities may serve Louisiana Nursing Facility residents in any vacant beds available in a Nursing Facility as long as the occupancy for the Texas License issued by DADS for that Nursing Facility is not exceeded.
· Texas Nursing Facilities that choose to admit Louisiana Nursing Facility residents will be required by DADS to provide Nursing Facility Care according to the requirements for Texas Licensure and Medicaid Certification.
4b.) What is needed
If you can help with any staff, supplies, transportation, or beds for relocation, contact Julie at the Louisiana Nursing Home Association, 225/927-5642.
4c.) Contacts
Relocation Issues: Dorthea Raiford, DADS, Region 4/5 (Tyler/Beaumont), 409/951-3236.
Reimbursement Issues: Larry North, DADS, Section Director for Institutional Services, Provider Services, 512/438-3543, larry.north@dads.state.tx.us
Regulatory Issues: Chris Adams, DADS, Director of Survey Operations, 512/438-5695, chris.adams@dads.state.tx.us
Finally, THCA applauds its member facilities that are able to assist Louisiana in this time of need. If you have any questions, please contact Dorothy Crawford at the THCA office, 512/458-1257.
Some area specific ways to donate to the overall relief effort:
Austin: The Red Cross needs volunteers and money, especially in the Austin office (Pershing Drive off of Airport Blvd.) They also need volunteers to go to the Tony Burger Center (south Austin) to help with the people who are being re-located there. Help is needed at all hours, and will be needed through the weekend. Contact Barbara at 512-929-1225 to volunteer.
United Way in Austin: 512.472.6267/ Hands on Central Texas/Volunteer Center: 512-323-1898.
Dallas: It’s been recorded that many people are being evacuated to Reunion Arena. They are asking for donations of shampoo, soap, lotion, blankets, cleaning supplies, etc. Organizations who want to make donations outside of monetary donations need to call the American Red Cross In-Kind donation at 214-678-4216. No items should be taken to Reunion Arena without a release from the In-Kind donation area first.
Houston
If you have any questions about the Arc’s Katrina Relief Fund, please contact Amy Curtis at curtis@thearc.org or call 301-565-5451
Red Cross – Also for information on volunteering at the astrodome.
Volunteer Houston/Harris County Citizen Corp.
281-564-6669
Houston United Way
713-957-4357
Houston Red Cross: 713-526-8300 /www.houstonredcross.org.
If you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross, please call 1-800-HELP-NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).
Houston Food Bank:
www.houstonfoodbank.org
Statewide Assistance: You can contact any of these organizations to volunteer your time, or offer housing accommodations, food, or clothing.
Red Cross: 1-800-HELP-NOW or www.redcross.org
Americares.org
Salvation Army 1-800-SAL-ARMY or www.salvationarmyusa.org
FEMA Charity tips – www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster www.nvoad.org