Stay Connected Texas

The Hurricane Ike Texas Rise and Connect project was created by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) with a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help Texans recover after Hurricane Ike. Many families still need help making plans for the future, getting answers and finding resources. This project provides disaster case management and connects people with the services they need to rebuild their lives.

Anyone who has ongoing needs caused by Hurricane Ike and who is not receiving rental assistance through a Disaster Housing Assistance Program is eligible for disaster case management services through the Hurricane Ike Texas Rise and Connect project.

Neighborhood Centers Inc. Offers Hope to More People Affected by Hurricane Ike
Houston, TX June 15, 2009 - Even as Gulf Coast families make preparations for a new hurricane season, Neighborhood Centers Inc. is expanding its services through a grant from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The $43.2 million award is in response to the needs of thousands of people in Harris County who were affected by Hurricane Ike and still are recovering from the disaster that struck on September 13, 2008. Neighborhood Centers’ Stay Connected Texas program will help to meet the needs of individuals and families in Harris County still picking up the pieces.

The HHSC grant is part of its Hurricane Ike Texas Rise and Connect project (HITRAC), funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The pilot project was formed to help families rebuild their lives by making plans for their own recovery and working through that process.

“We’re here to replace hardship with hope for our neighbors who still are hurting from the effects of this disaster,” said Angela Blanchard, President and CEO of Neighborhood Centers Inc. “Through this project we are able to help individuals and families move through the process of recovery and connect them with services they need.”

Eligibility is simple. Anyone who has ongoing needs caused by Hurricane Ike and who is not receiving rental assistance through a Disaster Housing Assistance Program qualifies for services.

Stay Connected staff will help individuals and families:

Identify their needs
Develop a plan for recovery
Locate and apply for the services and resources they need
Stay Connected staff are case managers who will follow up with individuals and families in person, by phone and through email, to help them through all stages of the recovery process.

Neighborhood Centers has named the City of Houston-Focused Care Project, Boat People SOS Inc., SER-Jobs for Progress Inc., and Houstonworks USA as partners in the project.

Neighborhood Centers’ Stay Connected program has been in place since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. It has become a model long-term case management program for helping families whose recovery from a natural disaster is particularly difficult. The program is designed to help each family identify its assets and gain access to appropriate resources through each stage of recovery.

For assistance, call 713-667-5853. Toll-free: 1-866-290-0226

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Services:

Connecting to Resources - Stay Connected Service Connectors will assist individuals and families who have been affected by disasters such as hurricanes. We will assist in navigating social service systems and connecting them with the resources they need for recovery.

Connecting to Education - Clients enrolled in Stay Connected may be mainstreamed into existing education opportunities at Neighborhood Centers, including our Head Start Centers, Charter School and NAEYC-accredited preschools.

Connecting to Opportunities - Service Connectors will also facilitate the connection of the participant’s skills and strengths to employment opportunities.

Connecting to Community - Neighborhood Centers utilizes our Community Centers and Senior Centers to help hurricane survivors shore up their psyches as they rebuild their lives in their new neighborhoods.

Connecting in Collaboration - We will collaborate with new and existing partners to eliminate service duplication and provide the most cost-effective services possible.

Connecting the Un-Connected - Service Connectors will continue to enroll families referred to us by other agencies or who initiate contact with us on the phone or by walking in to one of our service sites.

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For other counties check website at:
http://www.texasdisasterrecovery.org/locate.aspx