Resources

Below is a series of links with a variety of useful information and services for disaster victims.  They are separated into categories as follows:

• Pittsburgh Article and Links
• Reunification Information
• Disaster Preparation
• Job and Housing Information
• Military Relief Information
• For Kids
• Mental and Physical Disability Information
• General Disaster Assistance/Recovery Information
• Gulf Coast Area Road Closures

• Article on Pittsburgh's Response to Katrina
• Family Resources' Resource Page
• Fun Places for kids in the Pittsburgh region
  

 
Reunification Information

• American Red Cross Family Links
• Family Links
  
• Survivors Reunited
  
• SURVIVEDKATRINA.NET
  
• Yahoo Katrina Message Boards
  
• Pet Finder - Help finding missing pets.

Disaster Preparation

• FEMA Disaster Kit Information - FEMA's guide to preparing a disaster supplies kit.
• PEMA Emergency Preparedness Guide - PEMA's (Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency) guide to preparing a disaster kit (requires adobe PDF reader a FREE download from Adobe, virus and ad ware free).
• Spirit of Recovery - Information on mental health disaster recovery and preparedness.

Job and Housing Information

• Hurricane Job Connections - Job search for disaster victims including information on disaster clean up job opportunities.
• Department of Labor - Job Corps - General information on the Job Corps.
• Katrina Jobs - Job opportunities for Katrina survivors, has a state by state searchable job opening database.
• Acorn Housing - Provides mortgage information for disaster victims.
• US Department of Labor Hurricane Recovery Assistance - Pathways to Employment program, helps evacuees find new job information and training.  Includes information on unemployment and links to state unemployment agencies.
• Disaster Housing Resource - Provides information for disaster evacuees on finding housing on a state by state basis.
• Hurricane Housing - Helps evacuees to find temporary housing quickly and easily.
• Katrina's Angels - Information on housing and jobs, along with volunteer opportunities for those wanting to help.
• HUD Emergency Housing
  
• USDA Emergency Housing or call 1-800-414-1226.
  
• HurricaneHousing.org
  
• Craigs List Housing
• Homes for Katrina Victims
• Operation Share Your Home
  
• Katrina Sponsorship
• FEMA Shelter Hotline (888) 312-4567

Military Relief Information

• Family of Military "I'm OK" Line (888) 777-7731
• Hotline for Veterans Needing VA Information: 1-800-507-4571 for information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Relief Information for U.S. Military Personnel
• Navy 24 Hour Help Line 877-414-5358
• DOD Housing Support for Military and DOD Civilian Employees.

For Kids

• FEMA Kids - Disaster information specifically geared towards children. 

Mental and Physical Disability Information

• National Mental Health Information Center - Information to help you locate mental health facilities and services in your area.
• Health and Human Services Assistance - Provides disaster assistance information for people with disabilities and special needs.

General Disaster Assistance/Recovery Information

• First Gov Document Recovery - Information on recovering vital documents that may have been lost.
• First Gov - Information on hurricane recovery programs.
• FEMA Disaster Assistance Application - Application for FEMA disaster assistance funds.
• FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency provides information on national disasters and how to prepare for future disasters.
• PEMA - Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, caters towards Pennsylvania specific disasters, recovery, and aid.  Includes Pennsylvania emergency preparedness guide which explains how to and what to include in an emergency kit.  Explains weather advisories, watches, and warnings.
• US Department of Homeland Security - Disaster kit information and helpful information on preparing a disaster plan.  Includes section for kids on disaster planning.
• Been There Clearing House - Offers donations to Katrina victims and offers an outlet for people to donate goods.
• American Red Cross - Financial assistance and other disaster related services.  Can contact by telephone at 1-800-975-7585.
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Hurricane Relief Information - Answers hurricane evacuees banking questions, provides financial status information and includes several frequently asked questions about the status of your banking situation.
• WIC Application Information - Application for applying for WIC.
• Katrina Health - Information for evacuees on how to obtain their electronic prescription records.
• Katrina Legal Aid - Information on legal aid and defender programs catering specifically to disaster victims.
• US Citizenship and Immigration Services - Provides information for immigrants on how to recover/replace their immigration related documentation.
• US State Department - Information on how to replace a lost or stolen passport.
• Vital Check - Birth certificate replacement service.
• National Emergency Resource Registry
  

• Louisiana State Police Road Closure Hotline:
  Online or 1-800-469-4828
• Mississippi Road Conditions Hotline
  601-359-7017
• Alabama Road Closures 
• FEMA Maps of Flooded Areas and Closed Roads
• Red Cross Information Line for public safety and road closures 1-866-GET-INFO.