Katrina Relief
Description of Services –
LIFE currently employs two Independent Living Specialists to restore services to individuals with disabilities post Katrina by providing independent living services to the hundreds of individuals with disabilities directly affected by Katrina. The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services has provided LIFE with the funding needed to maintain one Specialist in Jackson and the City of Biloxi has provided us with funding to maintain the Specialist housed in Biloxi. Having full time Independent Living Specialists employed with LIFE to work specifically and only with Katrina affected individuals allows us to assist many more people than we would usually have the capacity for. The needs of individuals affected by Katrina are unique because meeting the needs is proving to be a much longer process than usual. Locating accessible and affordable housing is the greatest need. Due to the fact that so many homes and subsidized housing units were destroyed or severely damaged, there are limited housing options. This is true statewide as evacuees from Louisiana and coastal Mississippi have flooded the entire state, south to north. Initial estimates of nursing home placement in the 90 days immediately following Katrina indicate that placements were higher than usual, in part due to the inability of individuals with disabilities to find appropriate housing and community support. The IL Specialists working closely with Katrina affected individuals, are knowledgeable about a vast array of resources, such as FEMA, Red Cross, MEMA, SBA loans and more. Assisting individuals with the completion of paper work to file for available financial resources is offered.
Jermaine Devine in Jackson and Ruby Jackson in Biloxi provide a vast array of services such as housing relocation, durable medical equipment and supplies and home modifications as well as the four core services of independent living; peer support, skills training, advocacy and information and referral. Jermaine hosts a monthly support group for approximately 20 individuals with disabilities who have relocated to Jackson permanently.
These services will be offered through September 2008. For more information contact Jermaine at 1-800-748-9398 or Ruby.