ADVOCACY INCORPORATED
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL

This handout contains important information for individuals with disabilities displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Advocacy, Inc. is a non-profit organization designated as Texas' Protection and Advocacy entity responsible for protecting the human, service and legal rights of individuals with disabilities in Texas.  We are collaborating with the Protection and Advocacy entity in Louisiana, Advocacy Louisiana, in order to advocate for Louisiana residents with disabilities in Texas who are displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Advocacy, Inc. has offices in the following locations:
Central Texas Region (Austin/ Surrounding Area)
   1-800-315-3876   512-454-4816

East Texas Region (Houston/Surrounding Area)
   1-800-880-0821  713-974-7691
   Beaumont    1-409-832-4872

El Paso Region (El Paso/Surrounding Area)
   1-800-948-1824  1-915-542-0585

North Texas Region (Dallas/Surrounding Area)
   1-800-880-2884 1-214-630-0916
   Longview   1-903-758-8888

South Texas Region (San Antonio/Corpus Christi/Surrounding Area)
   1-800-880-8401  1-210-737-0499

West Texas Region (Lubbock/Amarillo/Surrounding Area)
   1-800-880-4456  1-806-765-7794

IMPORTANT FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO RECEIVE SERVICES:

FEMA - 1/800-621-FEMA (1/800/621/3362)  www.fema.gov
INDIVIDUAL DISASTER REGISTRATION HOTLINE

1/800-462-9029  1/800-462-7585 TDD/TYY

Every single individual with a disability MUST register to be able to receive the full range of federal assistance- Registrants MUST make clear that they have a disability or chronic health care need.

National Information

Best Friends Service/Companion Pet Rescue - 1-435-644-3965 ext 4455
American Red Cross    1-800-GET INFO   or 1-866-438-4636
American Red Cross          Family Link Hotline          www.redcross.org
Salvation Army       1- 888-363-2769

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
1-800-THE-LOST     or  1-800-843-5678.   www.missingkids.com 

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Crisis Hotline Available for Victims of Hurricane Katrina    1-800-273-8255
Callers will be connected to a network of local crisis centers across the country that are committed to crisis counseling. Callers to the hotline will receive counseling from trained staff at the closest certified crisis center in the network. The network is run by HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and involves more than 110 certified crisis centers. 

People who are in emotional distress or suicidal can call at any time from anywhere in the nation to talk to a trained worker who will listen to and assist callers in getting the mental health help they need.  People will be provided with immediate access to local resources, referrals and expertise.

Air America Public Voicemail      1-866-217-6255
Air America Radio's Public Voicemail is a way for disconnected people to communicate using their original home phone number and leaving a message.

Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) This project has designated CSD of Oklahoma and Northern Resource Virginia Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC) as CEPIN contact centers for Hurricane Katrina victims and their families. www.c-s-d.org (click on locations, then Oklahoma) (866) 845-7445 Voice/TTY  (Toll Free) (918) 835-7445 Voice/TTY  (918) 835-6459 FAX

Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) 301-657-2248.  Resource for individuals in Texas displaced by Hurricane Katrina who rely on hearing aids or cochlear implants for their communication needs, or who need some type of hearing assistance technology. SHHH will provide batteries to those who have hearing aids and cochlear implants, to effect emergency hearing aid repair, and to provide personal hearing assistive devices to those who have a significant hearing loss, but who do not have a hearing aid.  For more information, contact hear2care@hearingloss.org

TEXAS INFORMATION

TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION (HHSC)
Hurricane Evacuation Hot Line For general information about Health and Human Services call 1-888-312-4567.  This number will route you to 211.

Information and Referral 211 System with English (press one), Spanish (press two), and after 10 seconds if no response is heard the TTY will activate. 

Medicaid Health Care, Pharmacies, DME - 1-800-252-8263  Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama Medicaid clients can get medication or see a doctor while in Texas.  Call to get information on where to get medications and find a Medicaid doctor.  You do not need your Medicaid card to see a doctor or get medications.  A doctor can write you a prescription for your durable medical equipment and supplies.  Certain Texas pharmacies and DME providers are able to fill a prescription for Louisiana Medicaid participants.  Pharmacies are able to verify eligibility by calling 1-800-473-2783.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION
Please note TxDOT will be providing Medical Transportation services, including Medical appointments and Dialysis appointments. The person should call 1.877.633.8747 toll free for services. This call can be made from an emergency center if necessary.

EMERGENCY HIV Medication - (800) 255-1090  (512) 533-3000)
Once approved, individuals will be able to obtain a 30-day supply of their approved medications at a designated participating pharmacy.  The emergency assistance will be available for eight weeks from their date of approval; a new client application will be required for continued assistance if needed at that time.

Food Stamps - Food Stamp Hotline: 1-800-448-3927 - Expedited foods stamps.

Women's Infant's and Children Program 1-800-942-3678
Texas WIC Program will be opened to Katrina evacuees WIC is a nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well and assists in accessing health care. 

Texas Department of State Health Services - (DSHS)

Texas Psychiatric Crisis Hotline/Counseling - 1-800-252-8154

End Stage Renal Disease Network of Texas - Hurricane evacuees who need dialysis call 1-972-503-3215

Children with Special Health Care Needs Inquiry Line - 1-800-252-8023
The Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Services Program provides services to children with extraordinary medical needs, disabilities, and chronic health conditions. The CSHCN Services Program also assists children and their families by supporting case management at DSHS regional offices throughout Texas.  Currently, waiting list of about 6 months for health benefits exists, so if a child is uninsured or underinsured and planning to stay in Texas they are advised to call as soon as possible.

Families CAN Program/Houston -    (713)743-5435
Assists families with children who have disabilities in obtaining durable medical equipment and providing information and referral to resources they may need with regard to their children with medical/physical disabilities or chronic illnesses.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services-(DFPS)
Accepts complaints of abuse, neglect, and exploitation against adults with disabilities and children.
Abuse/Neglect Hotline 1-800-252-5400
Day Care Information Hotline 1-800-862-5252
Foster families and children
? Louisiana foster families should call 1-800-259-3428 to notify Louisiana Social Services of their location and situation.
? Texans inquiring about becoming foster parents should call the Texas foster/adopt inquiry line at 1-800-233-3405.

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) 1-512-438-3011
Provides long term supports and services to individuals with disabilities and elderly individuals in home and community based and facility based settings. 
Many of the programs are being made available to Hurricane Katrina evacuees through Medicaid and as part of disaster relief efforts.  Contact DADS Regional offices, the local Mental Retardation Authorities, local Area Agencies on Aging and/or local service providers for more information.  The Private Providers Association of Texas will post (9/14/05) on their website a list of providers in the association who have indicated they have capacity and are willing to assist by providing services at ppat100@aol.com  
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services-(DARS)
1-800-628-5115
The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) has programs and services for adults and children birth to age three with disabilities. These programs help people with disabilities to find jobs, to live independently in their communities and to prepare young children with disabilities to go to school.  In your home state you may have received similar services which can be continued in Texas. If you have not received services before, you may qualify by meeting eligibility requirements. 
DARS can be of assistance if you:
? Have a physical and/or mental disability and need help finding a job
? Are blind or have a visually impairment
? Are deaf or hard of hearing
? Have a physical and/or mental disability and need help living on your own in your community in Texas
? Have a child birth to age three with a developmental delay or disability contact Texas Early Childhood Intervention Services 1-800-250-2246

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
512-475-3847
Individuals left homeless because of Hurricane Katrina may access housing and certain income and other restrictions will be temporarily suspended. Anyone currently in Texas as an evacuee may now search the TDHCA website for vacancies in TDHCA properties statewide. http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/

Texas Education Agency (TEA) - 1-800-957-5109
Hurricane Katrina evacuees call Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., to get answers to questions. 

LOUISIANA INFORMATION ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES

Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities -
Nationwide Toll Free 1-866-783-5553: 
Call to locate or provide information about the location of people with developmental disabilities and their families and to get help with coordinating with Medicaid and other services.

Advocacy, Louisiana - Protection and Advocacy Services
The New Orleans office is currently closed.  Please contact the Baton Rouge office at 1-225-925-8884.  In addition several, Advocacy, Louisiana staff are currently in Texas at the Regional Offices of Advocacy, Inc.  Advocacy, Inc. offices are listed on the first page of this handout.