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About NCVA
Founded in 1986, the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community advocacy organization working to advance the cause of Vietnamese Americans in a plural but united America – e pluribus unum – by participating actively and fully as civic minded citizens engaged in the areas of education, culture and civil liberties.


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HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Help victims hurt by Hurricane Katrina

All of us at the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans (NCVA) are deeply saddened by the tragedy caused by Hurricane Katrina and extend our deepest sympathies to all of those effected. In response to this disaster, NCVA will work with the Vietnamese American community to make donations to help provide medicine, clothing, food and shelter to survivors. Help the victims hurt by Hurricane Katrina by donating to one of the following:

National Congress of Vietnamese Americans logo American Red Cross logo United Way logo Salvation Army logo
Support will be given to Vietnamese Americans More... Make a financial gift to support Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. More... Donate to the Hurricane Katrina Response Fund. More... Salvation Army serving storm refugees and first responders. More...

 

Helpful Links

Current Needs

Academic

Organizations Directly Assisting Vietnamese Americans and Other Victims

 

GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Federal HHS Takes Action
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt declared a public health emergency for Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama. This action allows the Department to waive certain Medicare, Medicaid, State Child Health Insurance Program, and HIPAA requirements as well as make grants and enter into contracts more expeditiously during this emergency. Visit the website listed above for more information.

Relief for Taxpayers
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced special relief for taxpayers in the Presidential Disaster Areas struck by the hurricane. These taxpayers generally will have until October 31 to file tax returns and submit tax payments. The IRS will stop interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply. This relief includes the September 15 due date for estimated taxes and for calendar-year corporate returns with automatic extensions. Visit the website listed above for more information.

SBA Ready to Offer Assistance
Small Business Administration
To show continued commitment to Hurricane Katrina victims, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will position loan officers in every federal/state disaster recovery center that is opened. SBA is also prepared to provide help in other states in the eastern half of the country where this powerful storm may also lead to disaster area declarations. Visit the website listed above for more information.

Emergency Grants from NEH
National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities will make available at least $1 million for emergency grants to libraries, museums, colleges, universities, and other cultural and historical institutions in Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Affected institutions can apply immediately for emergency grants of up to $30,000 to preserve books, records, manuscripts, art, and cultural artifacts damaged by the hurricane and the flooding that followed. Application details will be available on the NEH website later this week. NEH is also contacting the executive directors of the state humanities councils in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to offer $30,000 emergency grants to help the Endowment's state affiliates begin the process of assessing local damages and recovering cultural resources in their respective states.

Hurricane Help for Schools
U.S. Department of Education
Hurricane Help for Schools, a website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, will serve as a clearinghouse of resources for Americans who want to help the students displaced by the hurricane. The site will link schools serving students displaced by the hurricane in need of supplies and companies and organizations that are willing to provide supplies. Visit the website listed above for more information.

HUD Offers Disaster Assistance
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced that he is instructing all FHA-approved lenders to provide foreclosure relief to FHA-insured families who are affected by Hurricane Katrina. The relief includes a special 90-day moratorium on all foreclosures of FHA-insured properties in the declared disaster areas. Visit the website listed above for more information.

HRSA Extends Application Deadlines
U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration
Applicants located in counties or parishes in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi that have been designated by either FEMA or the state Governor as "designated counties" for the purposes of disaster assistance are automatically granted a deadline extension for competitive funding opportunities until November 30, 2005 at 5:00 PM ET. Other applicants who believe they have been adversely affected by Katrina and will be unable to complete and submit a timely application should send a request for an extension to Gail Lipton at glipton@hrsa.gov. These requests, which will be handled on an individual basis, should include the guidance number, the location of the applicant, and specific information which indicates why the agency is unable to meet the published deadline.

DOL Provides Support for Hurricane Victims
U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor is providing support for communities affected by Hurricane Katrina through several programs. Impacted states can apply for National Emergency Grants that can be used to temporarily employ dislocated workers. The DOL is working with state and local governments in disaster areas and relief sites to issue unemployment insurance and disaster unemployment assistance. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is providing technical assistance and resources to help protect those participating in cleanup and recovery efforts. The Employee Benefits Security Administration is extending pension plan filing deadlines. Visit the website listed above for more information.

 

HOUSING


Posted September 23, 2005

Government Will Offer $785 Per Month in Housing Aid to Katrina Victims

Displaced residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast who opt against living in trailers or other free housing provided by the government will be offered about $785 per month to cover their housing costs.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Alphonso R. Jackson, secretary of Housing and Urban Development, announced the offer at a news conference today, after mounting complaints that little was being done to provide housing for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Housing advocates, state and local officials and lawmakers of both parties have voiced concern about plans to build huge mobile home encampments to house evacuees, citing crime and social problems that have arisen in such trailer cities in Florida and elsewhere.

The pair said the costs of the new program would be covered from the $62.3 billion in emergency funds already appropriated by Congress. The housing aid would be available for up to 18 months, they said.

 

Posted September 21, 2005

Catholic Charities Facility in Baltimore Available for Families in Need of Housing

CCUSA has been contacted by Kristen Kinkoph (410) 261-5897 of Catholic Charities Baltimore. They have at their disposal a camp in Montgomery County, MD : 6 cabins total, for 12 families, of 6 to 8 people per family, a total of 72-96 people. It's bunk beds, a central kitchen. There are playground facilities for the children, a bus stop for schools, 10 min from shopping (and Catholic Charities Baltimore would work on getting the folks cars and food). Catholic Charities Baltimore would provide necessary case management. They need a few days notice to get it open and ready.

Contact Catholic Charities Baltimore for the logistics..and Kristen here at CCUSA (703) 549-1390 x 162 can help.

 

Mental Health

 Posted September 29, 2005

SAMHSA NEEDS MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

As you know, Hurricane Katrina has proven to be one of the worst natural disasters in American history. It has made a tremendous impact throughout the country, especially in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is responding by sending teams of mental health professionals into the hurricane-impacted area. Westover Consultants, Inc.-SAMHSA's contractor for this effort-is assisting SAMHSA by managing the staffing and deployment of mental health and substance abuse providers to the Gulf Coast region to deliver behavioral health services. A large proportion of children, youth, and families affected by Hurricane Katrina are racially and ethnically diverse (such as African American, Hispanic, Vietnamese, and Honduran residents). In all, SAMHSA will deploy 40 Katrina Assistance Teams (KATs) comprised of about 8-10 mental health professionals each to Louisiana over the next 30-45 days, beginning on September 21. Each KAT will serve in Louisiana for 2 weeks. For serving, SAMHSA will pay each KAT member a $200-per-day honorarium. SAMHSA will also pay for lodging, travel, and meals. Once on the ground in Louisiana, the KATs will provide crisis and supportive counseling services to mental health clinics, shelters, and other service delivery locations in Louisiana.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you are or know of a licensed mental health professional who is African American, Hispanic, or Vietnamese (or someone who has substantial experience providing mental health services to culturally diverse populations)who may be interested in serving on a KAT, please inform us immediately. Also, please ask others whom you would recommend to contact us directly. Feel free to forward this email. You can reach us by calling the 24-hour, toll-free Katrina Assistance Hotline at 1-866-587-5908 or our corporate line at 301-495-7405 (ask for Project Director Edna Davis-Brown, ext. 108), or
by sending an email to katrinahelp@westover.com

Mental health professionals who are interested in joining a KAT should carefully review information found on the project website at http://www.wcikatrinahelp.com, including KAT eligibility criteria.

Here is a list of the types of mental health professionals that are needed:
-Licensed drug and alcohol substance abuse counselors;
-Licensed social workers with child, family, and adolescent expertise;
-Registered nurses with geriatric and psychiatric expertise;
-Licensed psychiatrists;
-Licensed psychologists; and
-Pastoral counselors.

We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter.

Yours truly,

Faye E. Coleman, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Westover Consultants, Inc.
8360 Fenton Street - Suite 724
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 495-7405, ext. 110
Fax: (301) 495-7174
Email: fcoleman@westover.com

 

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Purpose
Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United states. Before an individual can be determined eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, it must be established that the individual is not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or federal law). The program is administered by states as agents of the federal government.

Eligibility
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to unemployed U.S. nationals and qualified aliens who worked or were self-employed if they:

* worked or were self-employed in or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in an area declared as a federal disaster area.

* can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of a disaster.

* establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.

* do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state.

* can not perform work or self-employment because of an injury or because they were incapacitated as a direct result of the disaster.

* became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household.

* can not work or perform self-employment due to closure of a facility by the federal government.

* lose a majority of income or revenue because the employer or self-employed business was damaged, destroyed, or closed by the federal government.

Suffering a monetary loss due to damage of property or crops does not automatically entitle an individual to Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

Benefits
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to individuals for weeks of unemployment beginning after the date the major disaster began and for up to 26 weeks after the major disaster was declared by the President, as long as their unemployment continues to be a result of the major disaster.

The maximum weekly benefit amount is determined under the provisions of the state law for unemployment insurance in the state where the disaster occurred.

Filing a Claim
Claims should be filed in accordance with the state's instructions published in announcements about the availability of Disaster Unemployment Assistance, or contact the State Unemployment Insurance agency.

(http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp)

 

LOUISIANA RESIDENTS

The best way for Louisiana residents to apply is online at www.LaWorks.net.  The application procedures are greatly simplified. For instance, they do not need to know the exact address of their last employer, just city and state will do.  They will need to specify the address where checks can be mailed. Louisiana has committed to begin mailing checks immediately.

QUESTIONS? Call 1-866-783-5567 for more information about Unemployment Insurance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

(http://www.LaWorks.net)

 

EVACUEES IN TEXAS

2-1-1 Texas System Dedicated to Serving Katrina Evacuees in Need

Evacuees and their families may dial 2-1-1 for around-the-clock information about shelters and health and human services available to them. Due to the uncertainty of cell phone access from providers outside of Texas, the 2-1-1 Texas system implemented a toll-free number, 1-888-312-4567, for Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Katrina.

People without online access can call the Texas Workforce Commission Call Center (call the local number listed below or 800 # if they are not in any of the listed local areas) to apply. A Customer Service Rep. will take their application over the phone.

The numbers to call are:

Austin........................512-340-4300
Dallas........................214-252-1200
El Paso..................... 915-832-6400
Fort Worth..................817-420-1600
Houston.....................281-983-1100
McAllen.....................956-984-4700
San Antonio...............210-258-6600

All other areas in Texas ....................800-939-6631

The Call Centers will be open extended hours taking calls from Louisiana evacuees as follows:

Friday   9-2-05  until 7pm
Saturday  9-3-05 8am to 2pm
Sunday  9-4-05 1pm to 5pm
Monday  9-5-05 8am to 12noon

FOOD STAMPS & MEDICAID

* Texas Health (http://www.hhs.state.tx.us/) & Human Services Commission Phone: 1-888-312-4567

* Women, Infants, (http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/20050901.shtm) & Children (WIC Program) Recipients Phone: 1-800-942-3678

 

EVACUEES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND

For Health Services, to enroll in the WIC (women, infants, children) program, school immunizations, and hospital and physician referrals, the number is 301-883-7879.

For all other general inquiries, persons should be referred to the County Hot Line at 1-800-422-0009.

 

CURRENT NEEDS

Volunteer Opportunities

Well-meaning volunteers are being urged not to report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a volunteer agency. Please visit the USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network to help when volunteers are needed.

**********

Posted September 7, 2005

Bayou LaBatre Needs Vietnamese Speakers

Bayou LaBatre is a small fishing community south of Mobile that was badly damaged in the storm. They have a large Vietnamese community and in order to help people, they need either translators or people who can conduct needs assessment with the Vietnamese.

Let me know if you need more info.

Betty J. Platt
State Program Director
Corporation for National and Community Service
950 22nd Street North, Suite 428
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-731-0030
bplatt@cns.gov

**********

Posted September 7, 2005

USAID/General Notice - DCHA/OFDA, 09/06/2005

USAID Hurricane Katrina Response Management Team: Operations Center Activation

On September 3, USAID mobilized a Response Management Team (RMT) to coordinate USAID assistance to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

There is a need for Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian speakers. Please contact Olga Bilyk below for details.

For information about domestic relief and donations please contact FEMA at http://www.fema.gov.

Point of Contact: Any questions concerning this Notice may be directed to Olga Bilyk, DCHA/OFDA/OD (202)712-4954.

Notice 0919

**********

Posted September 8, 2005

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS IN BAYOU LABATRE, ALABAMA

To all who have offered support to the Vietnamese Community in Bayou LaBatre, Alabama:

Please accept my thanks for your generous offers of assistance.  I have additional information about what is needed at this time and hope that it will help you decide whether or not you can help:

Approximately 3-4 people are needed in Bayou LaBatre beginning Thursday, September 15.  It would be most helpful if each volunteer can stay for five days to ensure some continuity for members of the community.  The assignment will involve walking door-to-door to identify individuals who may need assistance to recover from the effects of the storm. Volunteers will interview individuals and families in the community to see what types of assistance are needed and may identify other needs that people do not know to request.  The results of these needs assessments will determine what services and needs are to be addressed in the months to come.  Conditions may be slightly dangerous as there is much debris in the streets and on the sidewalks.

The coordinating agency does not have funds to pay for airfare to Mobile, so we are looking for individuals/organizations that can fund their own travel.  Housing arrangements will be made for you to stay with a family in Mobile or Bayou LaBatre.  Other housing is very difficult to find.

The agency is also assessing needs in Biloxi and Gulfport, MS.  It is possible that additional volunteers will be needed at a later time.

If you are interested and able to serve under the conditions outlined above, please email me and I'll follow up with you.  If you are not able to respond at this time, it is not necessary for you to email me, but I will keep you on the mailing list as future needs become known.

Many thanks for your generosity.

Betty J. Platt
State Program Director
Corporation for National and Community Service
950 22nd Street North, Suite 428
Birmingham, AL  35203
www.nationalservice.org

**********

Posted September 20, 2005

FEMA EMERGENCY CALL CENTER POSITIONS AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY - $15/hour

An excellent opportunity to assist victims of the disaster.

FEMA has a new Emergency Call Center at Prince Georges Plaza in Hyattsville, MD near College Park . They NEED 12,000 people to work 12 hr. shifts of simply logging the hurricane victims' claims of the location & value of their destroyed homes. The pay is $ 15/hr. & $22/hr. overtime. If interested call 301-698-1070.

Please share with interested students, graduates, people in need.

If you know any young men age 18 and up who is looking for work, FEMA is offering $32.00 per hour for a team of men willing to go to New Orleans to help with the disaster and damage done by Hurricane Katrina. You can fax your resume to 281-445-0813 or call 770-696-9600 for more information.

 

ACADEMIC

Posted September 8, 2005

Colleges Offering Admission to Displaced New Orleans Students

Due to the damage by Hurricane Katrina and subsequent flooding, a number of colleges and universities in the New Orleans metropolitan area will not be able to hold classes for the fall 2005 semester. It is estimated that 75,000 to 100,000 students have been displaced. [1]. In response, institutions across the United States and Canada are offering late registration for displaced students so that their academic progress is not unduly delayed. Some are offering free or reduced admission to displaced students. At some universities, especially state universities, this offer is limited to residents of the area.

Please click on the following URL for more details:

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Colleges_offering_admission_to_displaced_New_Orleans_students

[Posted 9/7/05]
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