American Red Cross to Fund Continuation of 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program

Assumes Financial and Administrative Responsibility for Program as Co-Sponsor, The September 11th Fund, Ends Three Years of Service

WASHINGTON, Monday, October 25, 2004 — The American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program and The September 11^th Fund announced today that the American Red Cross will assume financial and administrative responsibility for the co-sponsored 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program, effective January 1, 2005. The program, which provides financial assistance with mental health and substance abuse treatment costs to people directly impacted by the terrorist attacks, has so far enrolled approximately 10,000 affected individuals from all over the United States.

The September 11^th Fund, which was created by the New York Community Trust and United Way of New York City on September 11, 2001, will cease operations in December 2004. The Red Cross will then assume responsibility for continuing the mental health program through 2007. The program is administered by the Mental Health Association of New York City, whose mental health crisis and referral hotline, 1-800-LIFENET, is the central phone number to call to enroll in the program. The enrollment services and staffing costs of this program will be supported by a grant from the Red Cross.

“The traumatic events of September 11, 2001, created emotional wounds that still trouble many people today, and I am pleased that the Red Cross can ensure that this assistance remains available to help affected individuals in the future,” says September 11 Recovery Program Executive Director Alan Goodman. “The partnership created between the American Red Cross and the September 11^th Fund in response to this disaster has set a new standard of collaboration and client-centered service provision. I congratulate the Fund's leadership and staff for their impressive accomplishments and generosity during this difficult time in American history,” Goodman added.

“By working together the charities involved in the September 11^th recovery effort were able to help more people in more ways than anyone could have done on their own,” said Carol Kellermann, CEO of the September 11^th Fund. “Now, thanks to coordination with the American Red Cross, this benefit will also be able to last longer.”

The Red Cross believes that thousands of people have yet to come forward for assistance with mental health issues, as evidenced by responses to other mass trauma incidents. Some enrollment trends in the past year include:

• Calls from rescue and recovery workers and their immediate families increased, averaging 30-50 calls weekly.
• People who evacuated from the World Trade Center area or the Pentagon and their families account for more than one-third of all enrolled beneficiaries.
• The second largest group of enrollees is immediate and extended families of the deceased.

“The September 11^th Fund has played a key role in helping the New York community heal in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. We are gratified to have provided support in developing and administering the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program,” added Giselle Stolper, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of New York City. “Since our three organizations have partnered so successfully to ensure people get the help they need, we are confident our continued work with the American Red Cross will be just as responsive and effective.”

Program Eligibility Information

The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program provides financial assistance with treatment costs to those directly affected by the tragedy, regardless of their insurance or immigration status. The program was jointly created by the American Red Cross and the September 11^th Fund in August 2002 in response to a disaster that was unprecedented in the history of America and the history of the American Red Cross. The organizations worked together to create a unique program that made it easy for affected individuals to access help, and ensured effective and efficient use of charitable resources.

People eligible for financial assistance for mental health and substance abuse treatment include family members of the deceased; people injured at an attack site; employees who worked in the World Trade Center area or the Pentagon; employees who worked below Canal Street and lost employment or wages; residents below Canal Street in Lower Manhattan; officially deployed rescue or recovery workers at any of the attack sites as well as emergency dispatchers and morgue workers; children who went to school near the World Trade Center and employees who worked at Ronald Reagan National Airport.

In most instances, assistance is available to the affected individual and his or her immediate family members. Enrollees may choose from a range of covered services and work with the licensed provider of their choice. Assistance is available with mental health and substance abuse treatment costs dating back to the time of the attacks. Detailed information on the program is available at www.9-11mentalhealth.org. To enroll in the program, eligible individuals may call 1-800-LIFENET (1-800-543-3638).

Background Information on the Organizations

The American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program (SRP) was created in 2002 to help return individuals directly affected by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to a state of self-sufficiency and the activities of normal daily living. Through its immediate disaster response and longer-term recovery efforts, including direct financial assistance, service coordination, providing access to mental health and health care, coverage of health insurance costs, and group meetings offering support and information about Red Cross and other community resources, the program has helped more than 57,000 individuals and families in 48 states and 57 countries. As people affected by the disaster finish working one-on-one with Red Cross caseworkers in New York, SRP is now dedicating its remaining resources to ensuring that individuals with long-term needs can access quality services right where they live through programs including Red Cross Recovery Grants and the Client Service Network. For information on SRP services and programs, call (877) 746-4987 [TDD (800) 662-1220] or visit www.redcross.org/september11/help

The September 11th Fund was established the day of the terrorist attacks by The New York Community Trust and United Way of New York City to meet the immediate and long-term needs of affected victims, families and communities. The Fund works by making grants to nonprofit organizations and agencies with the expertise to meet a wide range of needs quickly. A second fund was created September 21, 2001, from proceeds of the national telethon, America: A Tribute to Heroes. The Fund is chaired by Franklin Thomas, and governed by a board drawn from United Way, the Trust, and the civic and business community. Chief Executive Officer Carol Kellermann manages the Fund's grant program, and a central staff, drawing on the resources of the founding organizations. One hundred percent of donations are used for grants; administrative costs are raised or donated separately. Find more information at www.september11fund.org.

The Mental Health Association of New York City is a private, not-for-profit, voluntary organization concerned with all aspects of mental illness and mental health. The Mental Health Association of New York City sponsors 1-800-LIFENET, the New York area's multicultural crisis intervention and referral hotline. The organization also operates LifeNet in Spanish (1-877-AYUDESE) and Asian languages (Asian LifeNet, 1-877-990-8585). For more information visit http://www.mhaofnyc.org/.