Dear colleagues:
Following up on yesterday’s message from Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson, we are sharing the latest information regarding efforts by both the School and the University to help our communities across the state in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
UNIVERSITY
Carolina Center for Public Service (CCPS) is spearheading efforts on campus to provide relief efforts. Information can be found on the CCPS website. You can also send information directly to ccps@unc.edu. UNC SSW Innovation Program Manager Beth Lowder is serving as the School’s lead in collaboration with Gillings School of Global Public Health and CCPS Director Lynn Blanchard. CCPS will host a meeting in the following days to discuss coordinated relief response efforts, aided by various units and organizations on campus.
SCHOOL
A School-wide response to relief efforts is developing in collaboration with our community-engaged programs and other units. Beth is checking with our organizational partners in western North Carolina in order to assess needs and develop support materials and plans. She is happy to field incoming requests for assistance that you may know about from our community. You can reach her at Beth_Lowder@unc.edu
NASW-NC
In addition these efforts, we also want to share resources provided by the NASW-NC chapter. NASW-NC created a website with up-to-date information about how to volunteer and donate to the recovery and rescue efforts for victims of Hurricane Helene. Mental health resources related to disasters can be found here. If you are interested in sharing additional information with social workers regarding recovery efforts, please reach out here: director.naswnc@socialworkers.org.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Additional information related to volunteer and donation efforts can be found here: Hunger and Health Coalition and the Hospitality House are available.
SUPPORT
Please make use of the various mental health resources available to students, faculty and staff at the University. Students may contact the Dean of Students at (919) 966-4042, as well as Counseling and Psychological Services, part of Campus Health Services, at (919) 966-3658. Students can also submit a Care Referral Form for assistance. Faculty or staff may call the Employee Assistance Program at (877) 314-5841, 24 hours a day.
As mentioned by Dean Ramona, if you are hearing of specific needs from our students or anyone connected to the School community, please do reach out to Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson, Interim Associate Dean for MSW Education Andrea Murray-Lichtman and Vice Dean Robert Hawkins.
Let’s keep the North Carolina community in our thoughts at this time.
Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do to contribute to relief efforts.
