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Employee Wellness Newsletter

Special Edition: Storm Disaster Resources and Support

Employee Wellness Newsletter Special Edition: Storm Disaster Resources and Support

This newsletter will provide information on mental & emotional, physical, nutritional, and financial wellness. We will focus on a proactive approach to health and well-being. The EWS Newsletter will also offer support & guidance resources and suggestions that we hope will reduce anxiety and stress.

"Came Outta Nowhere" - Texas Bashed Again

Some areas around Dallas were deluged with almost 2 inches of rain in less than four hours Tuesday, AccuWeather reported. Dallas saw 2.35 inches of rain in the entire month of May 2023.


Power was being restored in Texas, but more than 400,000 energy customers were still in the dark Wednesday afternoon. Oncor Electric said some Dallas area customers might not regain power until Friday. "We recognize the hardships and inconveniences customers experience after severe storms like this one and remain focused on restoring power as quickly and safely as possible," Oncor said in a news release.


Source: USA Today

Oncor Update

stormcenter.oncor.com

Federal Assistance Approved For Counties Impacted By Severe Storms

"FEMA's approval of four North Texas counties to the Presidential Disaster Declaration is an important step forward to help our communities recover from recent severe storms," said Governor Abbott. "We will continue working with our state, local, and federal partners to ensure all necessary resources, funding, and assistance are available to support Texans."


FEMA has added Collin, Cooke, Denton, and Montague counties to become eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. FEMA’s Individual Assistance program funding assists with expenses such as temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, disaster legal services, disaster unemployment assistance, and medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster.


Qualifying Texans in the following counties are eligible to apply: Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller counties.


Texans can apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.

Red Cross Shelters Open for Residents Impacted by Storms

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DALLAS — Following severe weather and widespread power outages across North Texas on Tuesday morning, resources are becoming available to help families impacted by the storms.

Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties joined Dallas County in issuing disaster declarations on Tuesday.


The American Red Cross has opened three shelters for food, water, and disaster assistance.


Balch Springs Senior Center
2919 Balch Springs Rd.
Mesquite, TX 75180


Rowlett Community Centre
5300 Main St.
Rowlett, TX 75088


Valley View High School
700 S Frontage Rd.
Valley View, TX 76272


Residents whose homes were damaged from rain or flooding can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to see if they are eligible for Red Cross assistance if they cannot make it to the shelter in person.


Source: WFAA Channel 8 - ABC

American Red Cross - North Texas Region

Get Help

Disaster Relief and Recovery, Emergency Preparation and Military Family Support


The thousands of staff and volunteers of the Red Cross are here for you with emergency aid when you need it most, and also advice and assistance to help you recover from a disaster or become better prepared to face one in the future.


Call Us - Phone: 1-800-RED-CROSS


Get Help With:

Temporary Sheltering/Housing

Mental Health Assistance

Financial Assistance

Health Services


Post-Emergency Recovery

Take the first steps back to normal life after an emergency with our recovery guides.

Post Emergency

City of Irving - Emergency Assistance

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FOOD PANTRIES


SHELTERING/HOUSING

    Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims

    Program Description


    Section 203(h) Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims helps make it easier for survivors to get a mortgage to buy or rebuild a home.


    Section 203(k) Rehab Mortgage Insurance offers two options for both home buyers and homeowners:

    • Get a single mortgage to buy or refinance a home and the cost to rehabilitate it, or
    • Get money to rehabilitate your existing home.


    You may use the program for work ranging from minor repairs to major renovations. This includes disaster-related repairs.


    You may use the Standard 203(k) program for a home that requires structural repairs or major remodeling.


    For smaller, non-structural repairs or rehabilitation, up to $35,000, you may be able to get a Limited 203(k). This is for work that doesn’t require you to buy or refinance the property.


    To learn more, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program pages below:


    General Requirements


    You must meet the conditions below to qualify for these programs.


    Section 203(h) Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims:

    • You must own a one-family home damaged or destroyed in a presidentially declared disaster, and
    • This must be your primary home.


    Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance:

    • You must be able to make monthly mortgage payments, and
    • You must be rehabilitating a home that’s at least one year old.


    Source: DisasterAssistance.Gov

    Recovering Emotionally After a Disaster

    To reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.


    Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. Children, senior citizens, people with disabilities and people for whom English is not their first language are especially at risk and are likely to need extra care and help. But everyone, even the people that others look up to for guidance and assistance, is entitled to their feelings and deserves support throughout the recovery process.


    Try to accept whatever reactions you may have. Look for ways to take one step at a time and focus on taking care of your disaster-related needs and those of your family.


    Keep a particularly close eye on the children in your family. When disaster strikes, a child's view of the world as a safe and predictable place is temporarily lost. Children of different ages react in different ways to trauma, but how parents and other adults react following any traumatic event can help children recover more quickly and more completely.


    Source: The American Red Cross

    IISD Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

    Check out our new EAP. The registration process will ask you for a Web ID. Please enter: NYLGBS.


    You can also call 800-344-9752. When you call you will be speaking with a specialist who can help you find resources including counselors and therapists in your area, information on health care, child care, elder care, financial planning, legal advice, and other work/life services. The specialist will explain the details.

    Free Virtual Counseling

    Our TeleHealth with Behavioral Health option is called MDLIVE. If you are enrolled for our insurance benefits, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, you have access to MDLive, which includes free virtual counseling. Click on the picture to get to the website. Then click on “ACTIVATE NOW” to register. You can also call the MDLIVE to register by phone or if you have any questions: (888) 365-1663. Our Benefits Department can also help with any questions you may have about the TeleHealth and MDLIVE free virtual counseling and how the benefits work: 972-600-5241.

    Support the Spread of Wellness

    About Us


    Our Employee Wellness and Support Services provides opportunities and resources for employees to develop and maintain healthy mental, emotional, physical, nutritional, and financial health through support and guidance, as well as promoting personal and professional productivity through educational engagement.


    Reach out to us via email: iisdewsresources@irvingisd.net or by phone 972-600-5249

    Newsletter

    Questions, Suggestions, Comments

    Contact

    Jose Villasenor

    jovillasenor@irvingisd.net


    972-600-5217 O | 469-781-1843 M

    Jose Villasenor
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