NEW INFO: Essex Regional Health Commission through the assitance of Local Health Departments is committed to supporting communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy through response, recovery, and community resiliency efforts. Through the partnership with the County’s PAC/PACADA, ERHC is able to share a comprehensive listing of Social Services available for our residents in Essex County.
A comprehensive listing of Social Services: files/Essex_County_Resource_Guide.pdf
Super-Storm Sandy made landfall in New Jersey on October 29, 2012. The storm caused unprecedented damage to New Jersey’s housing, business, infrastructure, health, social service and environmental sectors. Sandy made it clear that governmental public health continues to have a significant role in recovery from disasters. Recovery in the aftermath of the Super-Storm Sandy is protracted, dynamic, and complex and for this reason, there is a long-term need to ensure that the outstanding and long-term health, behavioral health, and social service needs of Sandy survivors are identified and addressed. Click the topic below to find recovery resources to help you and your family.
If you have a question or are looking for something else, please contact Vaidehi Dave at (973) 251-2059 or vdave@essexregional.org. We also invite you to share these resources and join us on Facebook and Twitter.
If you are in need of food, visit End Hunger NJ to find information about a food pantry in your area. Be sure to call before you go to confirm their hours and available meals. Here are some other organizations that can help with food stamps, TANF, classes, and housing:
· Community Food Bank of NJ: Call 908-355-3663
· Essex County Parish Access Center: Call 973-266-7991 or visit http://www.ccannj.com/parish_access.php
· Goodwill Rescue Mission: Call 973-621-9560 or visit www.grmnewark.org
· Grover Cleveland Center for Seniors: Call 973-403-4637
· SAGE Eldercare’s Meals on Wheels: Call 908-273-5554 or visit http://www.sageeldercare.org/in-home-services/meals-on-wheels.html
· Essex County Division of Welfare: Call 973-733-3000 or visit http://www.essex-countynj.org/index.php?section=dept/cs/w. You can also contact jcruzgon@oel.state.nj.us
for bilingual email assistance.
If you have questions regarding mold, lead, asbestos, or flood water clean-up you can call Department of Health and Human Services at 609.826.4950/4920.
Mold Guidelines for NJ Residents: http://www.state.nj.us/health/ceohs/documents/mold_guidelines_booklet.pdf
Below are some other groups that can help with home repair, personal items lost, health services, legal services, housing needs, financial assistance, and protection against future storms:
· Essex Count Long-Term Recovery Group (ECLTRG): please call Ext. 243 or emailEssexCoLTRG@uwewh.org.. The ECLTRG also provides assistance for people
who are undocumented.
· American Red Cross Long Term Recovery: Call 848.202.2930/2931 or visit http://www.redcross.org/nj/fairfield
The Essex County Special Transportation System provides curb-to-curb services for Essex County residents with physical or mental disabilities. Please contact:
Division of Senior Services
900 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ 07044
Call: 973-395-5858
To find out about the shuttle services for Welfare Clients and Community cars program for Seniors, call EZ Ride at 973-961-6941 or visit http://www.ezride.org/
The aftermath of Sandy has been emotionally difficult and caused many of us a lot of stress, anger, difficulty sleeping and easting, depression, inability to concentrate, and/or increased alcohol or drug use.
Here are people and resources who can help you or someone you know feel better:
· Catholic Charities’ Disaster Case Management: Call 877.510.6762 or 2-1-1 or visit http://www.ccdom.org/disaster-relief
· Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark Disaster Case Management Program: Call 973-266-7982 or visit http://www.ccannj.org
· Ironbound Community Corporation: Call 973-589-3353 or visit http://www.ironboundcc.org
· Mental Health Association of Essex County: Call 973-676-9111 or visit http://www.mhanj.org
· Mental Health Association in New Jersey: Call the New Jersey MentalHealthCares’ Disaster Helpline at 866-202-4357 (HELP) or visit http://www.njmentalhealthcares.org/.
A TTY line is available at (877) 294-4356. Translation services are available as well.
· Comunidade Farliar Crista: Call 862-955-0483
· Irvington Counseling Center: Call 973-399-3132 or visit https://njmhc-portal.communityos.org/zf/profile/agency/id/75280
· Mental Health Association of Essex County: Call 973-509-9777 or visit http://www.mhaessex.org/
· Mt. Carmel Guide Behavioral Healthcare, 56 Freeman Street, Newark or call 973-522-2100 or visit http://www.ccannj.com/med_monitoring.php
· New Hope Baptist Church: Call 973-991-2773 or visit http://www.newhopeofeastorange.org/when-i-need.php
· Traumatic Loss Coalition for Youth: Call 973-239-5382 or visit http://ubhc.umdnj.edu/brti/tlc/
· University Behavioral Health Care: Call (973) 623-2323or visit http://ubhc.rutgers.edu/index.htm
· Where Peaceful Waters Flow: Call 973-677-7700
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) funds a statewide network of Family Success Centers as “one-stop” shops that provide resources and supports for families before they find themselves in crisis. Family Success Centers offer child abuse prevention services and address problems that threaten the safety and stability of families and the community. Family Success Centers also offer information on child, maternal and family health services, family stability, employment and income security services, life skills training (such as budgeting and nutrition), housing related services, parent education, advocacy, and home visiting.
Here is a list of Family Success Centers in Essex County:
- Babyland Family Success Center
755 South Orange Avenue, Newark
973-399-3400
- Central and West Ward Family Success Center
982 Broad Street, Newark
973-639-2100
- East Orange Family Success Center
60 Evergreen Place, Suite 307, East Orange
973-395-1442
- FOCUS Family Success Center
441-443 Broad Street, Newark
973-624-2528 ext. 114
- Ironbound Community Corporation Family Success Center
29-31 Cortland Street, Newark
973-344-5949 ext 201
- Ironbound Community Corporation Family Success Center
317 Elm Street, Newark
973-465-0555 ext 202
- Irvington Family Development Center Family Success Center
50 Union Avenue, Suite 403, Irvington
973-372-4353 ext 17
- LaCasa’s Family Success Center I
23 Broadway, Newark
973-483-2703 ext 2218
- LaCasa’s Family Success Center II
282 First Avenue, Newark
973-482-9002
- The North Ward Center Family Success Center
286 Mt. Prospect Avenue, Newark
973-485-5723
And if you are trying to help young people deal with the aftereffects of the hurricane, here are some resources you can share:
- Turning the Tides is a series of programs designed to promote healing and increase resiliency among youth in grades K-12 and families, giving them with skills and knowledge necessary to recover from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Email Debbie Loffredo, Program Coordinator, at debra.loffredo@ubhc.rutgers.edu or call 732.235.2897.
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Disaster Resource Center at http://www.aacap.org/cs/DisasterTrauma.ResourceCenter offers advice for how to talk with children about a disaster and when to be concerned about a child’s response, including potential signs of PTSD in children.
- Helping Children after a Disaster at http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_fo r_Families_Pages/Helping_Children_After_A_Disaster_36.aspx provides suggestions about how to talk to children about natural disasters.
- Recovery After a Hurricane at http://nctsn.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters/hurricanes#tabset-tab-5 is a good overall resourcefor parents and caregivers about hurricanes, their impact on children and families, what parents, teachers and others can do to help children cope with hurricanes, as well as activities for children and adolescents.
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network Manual of Psychological First Aid at http://www.nctsn.org/content/psychological-first-aid is a series of handouts that cover possible adult reactions to disasters and inappropriate/appropriate coping mechanisms, parenting tips for helping specific age groups cope with disaster, and tips for adults regarding drug and alcohol use and relaxation in confronting disaster.
- Managing the Emotional Consequences of Storms and Flooding at http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/disaster/Flood_Brochure_2011.pdf is a brochure you can share. It is also available in Spanish at http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/disaster/Storms_and_Flooding_Brochure _Spanish.pdf
- Help for Families of Children with Special Needs is a brochure you can view and share at http://www.nj211.org/images/HurricaneSandy/HelpChildrenwithSpecialNeeds.pdf. You can also download Parents Guidelines for Helping Children after a Hurricane at http://www.nj211.org/images/HurricaneSandy/ParentsHelpingChildrenAfterHurricane.pdf
- Watch how Big Bird responds to his lost nest in a portrayal of recovery after a hurricane hits Sesame Street at http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/theshow/episodes/the-hurricane.
If you have insurance claims, home repair contractor disputes, public adjuster issues and other civil legal problems related to Hurricane Sandy, you may be able to get FREE legal advice from volunteer attorneys of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ).
Here is a list of their local clinics:
· Legal Services of NJ Hotline: Call 888-222-5765 or visit www.lsnjlaw.org
· Community Health Law Project: Call 973-275-1175 or visit www.chlp.org/
· Partners for Women and Justice: Call 973-233-0111 or visit http://www.pfwj.org
· Volunteer Lawyers for Justice: Call 855-301-2525 or visit http://www.vljnj.org/
If you are looking for information on all state social services and on-line applications please visit http://www.njhelps.org.
If you’d like to learn about your local communityresources, Call 2-1-1 by simply dialing 2-1-1 from any phone or go to www.nj211.org. Each county has specific services set up for individuals and families affected by the recent flooding. An experienced call specialist can help youfind the best and most current service availableto meet your needs.
Finally, here are some other helpful phone numbers to call:
· General needs or food stamps: 973-395-8000
· Medicaid/Family Care: 973-645-7134
· Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: 973-733-2319/3183
· Emergency Assistance: 973-645-8369
· Child Support and Paternity: 973-733-3392
· Nursing Home Services: 973-645-7084
· Adult Medicaid Program: 973-645-8342
· Information and Referral: 973-733-3000
Your Poison Control Hotline: files/English_lo_adobe.pdf