AMERICAN RED CROSS ANNOUNCES LONG-TERM PROGRAM Mental health, family support services, and more continue for September 11 recovery Contact: Phil Zepeda-DC Phone: (202) 639-3308 Pager: (888) 328-5506 zepedap@usa.redcross.org Contact: Tracy Gary-NYC Phone: (212) 875-2133 Cell: (646) 879-9206 garyt@arcgny.org National Headquarters 430 17th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006 www.redcross.org NEW YORK, August 21, 2002 — The American Red Cross today announced the details of its long-term September 11 Recovery Program to provide continuing support to the nearly 50,000 families directly affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks. This ongoing effort, which is estimated to last three to five years, marks the second phase of the agency’s Liberty Fund disaster relief efforts. “While our efforts to provide direct financial assistance will continue, this marks the start of a targeted effort to ensure that we are serving those who need our help on long-term issues, such as mental health and health care,” said Robert M. Bender, Jr., chief executive officer of the American Red Cross in Greater New York and chair of the September 11 Recovery Program. “This program is how we will deliver on the Red Cross’ promise to the American public to help people cope with this disaster throughout the course of their recovery.” As of August 1, the American Red Cross projected it will distribute $708 million in direct financial assistance to those affected by the September 11 attacks. In addition, more than $133 million will be used for the September 11 Recovery Program to meet the long-term needs of those directly affected. Through this effort, the Red Cross will provide long-term services to all clients eligible for assistance, including: the family members of those lost in the attacks; the seriously injured and their families; rescue and recovery workers; and displaced residents. These services, listed below, will be provided in coordination with other agencies, including the September 11th Fund, Safe Horizon, Project Liberty, the Mental Health Association of New York City and a variety of other public and private organizations. The program was developed with input from those directly affected by the tragedy and other service agencies and is consistent with the objectives identified by Senator George Mitchell, the Independent Overseer of the Liberty Disaster Relief Fund. The program comprises five major initiatives: Long-Term Mental Health Services Long-Term Health Care Services Family Support Services Assistance to residents and coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Coordination The September 11 Recovery Program includes: Long-Term Mental Health Services Plan This program, which is based on financial need, provides financial assistance for services including individual, group and family counseling; psychotropic medication coverage; hospitalization; and inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment. The program, which can be accessed from anywhere in the country is expected to serve an estimated 16,000 individuals. To date, more than 600 people have accessed services. The Red Cross is collaborating with the September 11 Fund and the Mental Health Association of New York City in this effort. This partnership facilitates seamless mental health services to meet a wide variety of needs. Those affected can access benefits by calling 1-800-LIFENET. People can also still access assistance through the Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program Call Center at 1-877-746-4987. Long-Term Health Care Services Plan This program delivers financial assistance and clinical case management for uncovered health expenses directly related to injuries or illnesses caused or exacerbated by the events of September 11, 2001. Financial assistance is provided for insurance co-payments and uncovered health care expenses, including non-psychotropic prescription medications and alternative treatments prescribed by a primary care physician. This program is expected to serve an estimated 600 people. Family Support Services This program provides individualized support and guidance to eligible families and individuals to ensure they have access to the resources they need for their recovery. Trained Red Cross Family Support Specialists assist with determining health care and mental health needs, identifying resources, making referrals, providing assistance through three financial assistance programs, identifying long-term needs and planning for the future. This program continues to serve an estimated 3,000 families. In addition, the American Red Cross has established an Anniversary Travel Assistance Program to support families and individuals with financial needs who wish to travel to memorial events planned for the one-year anniversary of September 11. Assistance to Residents For displaced residents with ongoing needs, the Red Cross is providing air purifiers and HEPA vacuums and helping relocate and reimburse for expenses incurred during displacement. In addition, this program offers mental health assistance to affected residents who are experiencing emotional trauma as a result of September 11. Residents with ongoing needs are eligible for assignment of a Family Support Specialist. This program is expected to serve an estimated 18,800 households. The Red Cross is coordinating with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide services to those residents who are eligible for participation in its Lower Manhattan Dust Cleanup Program, which is expected to begin later this year. Working within established guidelines, the Red Cross will assist with expenses incurred during displacement and replacement of destroyed home furnishings. Community Coordination To help meet the needs of those affected by the September 11 attacks and maximize efficient use of resources, the Red Cross coordinates with other groups including community organizations, constituency groups, advocacy organizations, local elected officials, faith-based and interfaith organizations, and the other non-profit and government agencies providing direct services and benefits to those affected. The Red Cross is a member of the 9/11 United Services Group (USG), which coordinates 13 service agencies to help ensure that those affected by the events of September 11 get the help they need. For more information, visit the 9/11 USG Web site at http://www.9-11usg.org or contact the 24-hour September 11th Support Hotline at 1-866-689-HELP (4357). The Red Cross is also working with other organizations around the country to ensure that families are effectively served in their local communities. The September 11 Recovery Program is the next phase of the Liberty Disaster Relief Program. The Liberty Disaster Relief Funds have been used to provide: up to one year of living expenses for more than 3,000 families of those who died or were seriously injured in the attacks; economic assistance for more than 55,000 individuals and families who lost their homes, jobs or livelihoods as a result of the attacks; 14 million meals for victims and rescue workers; 237,000 mental health counseling visits; and more than 131,000 health service visits. Over the next several months, eligible families of the deceased and those who were seriously injured will receive assistance through the Special Circumstances Gift, while seriously injured individuals and the estates of the deceased will begin to receive gifts of $45,000 each through the Supplemental Gift Program. For more information about the September 11 Recovery Program the Red Cross Call Center at 877-746-4987. The American Red Cross is dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering and restoring hope at home and around the world. The Red Cross mobilized relief to the victims of nearly 73,000 disasters nationwide in 2001 and has been the primary supplier of lifesaving blood and blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. Last year, the Red Cross also trained almost 12 million people in vital lifesaving skills and delivered more than 21 million locally relevant community services. The organization also assisted international disaster and conflict victims in close to 40 locations around the globe, and its emergency communication centers processed 1.2 million calls in support of U.S. military families. © Copyright 2002 The American National Red Cross. All Rights Reserved.        CONTACT US  |  SITE DIRECTORY  |  PRIVACY POLICY