ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Eligibility
You are eligible for the American Red Cross Emotional Support Program for Survivors of the 2005 Hurricanes if you:
- Lived in a pre-disaster ZIP code prior to landfall in one of the counties designated by FEMA for individual assistance following Katrina, Rita or Wilma and suffered significant impact, such as:
- Displaced from home or school
- Participated in the rescue and recovery efforts
- Sustained severe damage or destruction of residence
- Lost employment
- Sustained and obtained medical treatment for a physical injury caused by one of the hurricanes
- Other significant impact - a direct result of the hurricane and/or continued challenges as a result of the hurricanes
- Lost an immediate family member, defined as grandparent, grandchild, spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, step-parent, step-sibling or step-child, because of one of the hurricanes.
In many cases, clients who have received services from other agencies (such as those in the Katrina Aid Today consortium) will NOT need to provide additional verification of eligibility (such as electric or phone bill) if we can verify their pre-disaster residence in CAN (Coordinated Assistance Network) or CAS (Client Assistance System). In all cases, our benefit staff will work with the client or case manager to obtain necessary documentation and make this process as easy as possible.
The benefit is retroactive to August 30, 2005. That means if you are eligible and you received treatment immediately after the hurricanes, your out-of-pocket costs may still be covered.
To Enroll
The deadline to enroll was May 31, 2008 at 5pm (CT). The program is now closed to new referrals. We are unable to grant any exceptions to this deadline.
Service Options
Our staff is available to assist you as you decide what services are right for you and your family. We can also help you find a licensed professional in your community with whom you can discuss difficult emotional issues you are coping with since the hurricanes.
The following types of treatment are available:
Counseling and Psychotherapy - Speak one on one with a licensed professional about your problems and feelings and ways to deal with them.
Group Therapy - Provides you with an opportunity to talk with others who may share your experiences, with the guidance and facilitation of a licensed professional.
Family Therapy - Provides family members with a safe and structured place to talk about problems and feelings and ways to deal with them with the guidance and facilitation of a licensed professional.
Couples Counseling - Couples talk with a licensed professional about issues that are causing stress and anxiety and identify alternate strategies to improve communication.
Art Therapy - Adults or children work with a certified therapist to express feelings or issues through art.
Medication - Prescribed by a licensed professional to treat problems like depression or anxiety.
Substance Abuse Treatment Programs to help people detox from alcohol and/or drugs and maintain a drug and/or alcohol free lifestyle. Abuse must be related to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita or Wilma.
Auricular Acupuncture - Applies acupuncture to the outer ear. It can be used for alcohol or drug abuse, or for anxiety and other kinds of problems.
Psychological evaluation and testing - Services are available for children under the age of 21.
Benefits
The American Red Cross Emotional Support Program for Survivors of the 2005 Hurricanes helps you to cover the cost of emotional support services, including individual, family, couples and group counseling, auricular acupuncture, and psychotropic medication. The assistance available to you is designed to help you cope with difficult emotional issues related to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Wilma, and can be used as secondary coverage to your insurance. Assistance is available retroactively for services received since August 30, 2005. The program provides up to $2,000/per person in reimbursement for, or direct payment of outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment and/or reimbursement for psychotropic medications.
Exception: Because the program is based on charitable donations, it is possible that funds might be depleted prior to the enrollment deadline and enrollment will close early. Those already enrolled will receive their full benefit coverage.
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