Information assembled by Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Outreach Beth Lowder (Beth_Lowder@unc.edu).
The Carolina Center for Public Service is coordinating the University’s ongoing efforts to support North Carolina communities affected by Hurricane Helene. The Carolina community wants to help, and we all want to ensure that happens in the best way possible. The Center is sharing information and resources on its website, including resources shared by Associate Professor Betsy Bledsoe and Research Professor Virginia Strand, co-directors of The National Initiative for Trauma Education and Workforce Development. Initial messages received by the Center in these early stages of recovery for Western North Carolina and other affected areas of the state: “Please send money—not donations or people.”
Created in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, the Carolina Student Impact Fund offers immediate support to help meet the needs of our undergraduate, graduate and professional students who face hardships and expenses as a result of natural disasters, pandemics and other emergencies.
If you know of a student who may need help from the Carolina Student Impact Fund, please have them send an email to: disasterrecovery@studentaid.unc.edu.
Starting Nov. 1, 2024, The CCPS will manage the UNC Disaster Relief Funds to support efforts by Carolina students, staff, and faculty to partner with communities to support Hurricane Helene disaster relief and recovery trips and projects. These funds will only be handled as departmental transfers for projects working with community partners. The applications for funding will be open from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15, 2024, with an additional application process in February 2025. Additionally, the CCPS will maintain a general information email and a disaster relief listserv.
UNC School of Social Work Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Outreach Beth Lowder continues to spearhead efforts by our School community to collect resources to share with CCPS which might help address immediate and long-term mental health needs arising in the wake of the hurricane. In addition to collecting non-perishable food, water, hand sanitizer and diapers, members of our community have written care notes for those affected by the disaster.
If you would like to make a donation to help the communities affected by Hurricane Helene, please click here. Your donation will go a long way in helping citizens across the state. For additional resources, as well as a list of the activities provided by the School, see below.
- Supply Drive
- The School of Social Work’s supply drive was a success, leading to deliverables that will be provided for foster families from Western North Carolina. The School collaborated with Foster Family Alliance of NC (FFA-NC) to deliver the supplies the week of Monday, Oct. 21. Thank you to Facilities Manager Sam Deal and to all those who donated.
- The School of Social Work’s supply drive was a success, leading to deliverables that will be provided for foster families from Western North Carolina. The School collaborated with Foster Family Alliance of NC (FFA-NC) to deliver the supplies the week of Monday, Oct. 21. Thank you to Facilities Manager Sam Deal and to all those who donated.
- Emergency Housing for Foster Families
- The Family and Children’s Resource Program (FCRP) is working with FFA-NC to find emergency housing for approximately 70 foster families who were displaced by the hurricane. FCRP created a family survey for FFA-NC to collect data on displaced families, and an additional form gives individuals the option to volunteer to share their rental properties and other real estate with families in need.
- The Family Support Network University Office has released several social-emotional resources on the FSN social media page. FSN developed a social story for children (in English and Spanish) that was shared over 4,000 times. Additional stories created by FSN were shared to Fosteringnc.org as a resource for parents statewide.
- FSN created sensory bags to deliver to its Asheville and Boone affiliates to support children with disabilities who are experiencing increased anxiety in the aftermath of the hurricane. The first batch was delivered to Boone on Oct. 16, with a second batch scheduled for delivery to Asheville on Nov. 3.
- FSN has released resources to its affiliates across the state which can help shelters and volunteers better understand how to support individuals with disabilities and behavioral health challenges through de-escalation and calming strategies that can easily be implemented in community settings with little to no training.
- The Family Support Network University Office has released several social-emotional resources on the FSN social media page. FSN developed a social story for children (in English and Spanish) that was shared over 4,000 times. Additional stories created by FSN were shared to Fosteringnc.org as a resource for parents statewide.
- The Family and Children’s Resource Program (FCRP) is working with FFA-NC to find emergency housing for approximately 70 foster families who were displaced by the hurricane. FCRP created a family survey for FFA-NC to collect data on displaced families, and an additional form gives individuals the option to volunteer to share their rental properties and other real estate with families in need.
- Students
- Clinical Assistant Professor Karon Johnson and Coordinator of Student Affairs Carly Walters facilitated listening sessions with students who were directly or indirectly affected by the hurricane.
- Care notes: the School community is writing care notes that will be delivered with supplies to foster families and children in Western North Carolina. Lowder met with Assistant Dean, Recruitment, Admissions and Financial Aid Sharon Thomas and Administrative Support Specialist Jessica Cammer on Oct. 17 to discuss planning an activity at the School’s Fall Festival for students and others to write care notes for affected families.
- On Oct. 18, students were offered the opportunity to volunteer by answering incoming calls to the Crisis Cleanup Hotline, coordinated through the University.
- Clinical Associate Professor and AHEC Liaison Sherry Mergner has worked with the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) offices across the state to provide free training opportunities for MSW students whose practicum placements were interrupted by the storm in coordination with Interim Director of Practicum Education Amy Levine.
- Alumni
- Alumni were sent an email from the School offering assistance for organizations affected by the storm. They were also sent two links where they could sign up to provide pro bono counseling to storm survivors.
- Training
- Clinical Associate Professor Debbie Barrett is planning an upcoming free training on Essential Skills for Disaster Mental Health and Crisis Response on Nov. 8, from noon—2 p.m. You can read more about the training here.
- The School continues to offer free training on mental health and trauma through its various programs, including the Clinical Lecture Series, the National Initiative for Trama Education and Workforce Development and Behavioral Health Springboard.
- Mergner has compiled a list of trainers who can present on PTSD/trauma in the aftermath of a disaster.
- Academic and Student Affairs
- The Academic and Student Affairs team has responded to individual requests from students and is working with them on a case-by-case basis. Students also received emails from the Student Affairs team, as well as the School and Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson with resources and contact information.
- Outreach was delivered to MSW faculty asking for flexibility and understanding with students who have been impacted.
When it comes to hurricane relief efforts, all involved urge us to remember: “It’s a marathon not a sprint.” Support efforts will be needed for some time to come.
