Need Help?

Welcome to Beauregard Parish. We want to make your stay here as pleasant as possible. Please do not hesitate to let us know what you need. We will do our best to help you.

If you are sheltering with friends or family members in Beauregard Parish, be sure to list with the shelter system. This will help insure that you receive the services you need. If friends or family may be trying to contact, it is essential to list with the shelters. Call 462-8911 to arrange to be listed.

• Need Legal Help? Southwest Louisiana Legal Services, in cooperation with the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, is offering free legal advice to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Those in need of assistance are encouraged to call 337-436-3308 or 800-256-1955. Ask to speak with David Hudson or Robert Little.
• Need Shelter? Call (337)462-8911. Shelters are located throughout the Parish. The DeRidder City PD will know which shelter has room. Be sure to let them know if you have special medical needs.

  katrinahousing.org lists housing opportunities in LA and other states.

  hurricanehousing.org Free housing offers. Some include transportation and information about jobs.

• Need to use a phone? Send a fax?
  The Church of the Nazarene, 812 Shirley St. and Bryan in DeRidder - beginning Tuesday, Sept 6, there will be a bank of phones available.
  
  A limited number of phone cards will be available for those who cannot afford them. Shelters can assist you in requesting a card.
  
  All branches of the Beauregard Parish Library are providing free fax service (send or receive) for anyone displaced by Katrina. The website above includes location and hours for the branches.
  
  
  
• Unemployed? Call 1-866-487-2365 for information on disaster unemployment assistance. Self-employeed workers and others who would not ordinarily be eligible for unemployment can qualify for disaster assistance.

  Louisiana Works is making a special effort to serve Katrina survivors through job placement and unemployment services. Visit the website or call 1-666-783-5567 for more information.

  Need a Resume? The Beauregard Christian Women's Job Corps will assist evacuees by typing resumes. Resume Worksheets are available at all shelters and at the resource center in the old KMart building. There are baskets in the resource center for completed resumes or they can be faxed to 463-8049 or mailed in envelopes which have been left at the shelters. Completed resumes will be taken to the resource center.

  Wal-Mart promises that any employee who has been displaced because of Katrina will have a job if they report to the nearest Wal-Mart.

  The Beauregard Christian Women's Job Corps suggests these job related web sites:
  Katrina Job Relief
  Job Board

  
  
  
• Library Service? All branches of the Beauregard Parish Library will issue temporary cards to people who are sheltering in this area. The Library is also bringing books and magazines to shelters. Reference assistance is available at branches or from the web site.
  
  
• Internet access?
  Beauregard Parish Library offers free Internet access at all Library locations.
  
  The DeRidder Branch of the Library offers wireless Internet access inside the Library and in the general vacinity of the Library in downtown DeRidder. Wireless is available 24/7. Watch here for information regarding wireless access at the rural branches.
  
  MEL, the Library's mobile unit is parked at the Dry Creek shelter to provide Internet access in that area. MEL is open 10 am - 5 pm Monday - Saturday. Access is via modem.
  
  BeauCare offers a computer lab and activities for children. For more information, call 462-2273.
  
  
  
• Need health care?
  EMTs and First Responders will visit each shelter daily to assist with health needs. Local pharmacies and health care agencies will be working with the shelter system to help make sure your medications are available and your other health needs are met. Let your shelter manager know immediately if you need medical help.
  
  Eyeglasses to replace glasses lost in disaster. Needs based with priority for elderly and children. No sunglasses or contacts available. Contact Dale Donnelly, DeRidder Lions Club 462-7320 or 1-877-304-5176.
  
  
  
• FEMA for Individuals On-Line or Phone Registration
  
  
• FEMA Phone Numbers

  Additional notes regarding FEMA

  It is important to file as early as possible with FEMA since they will be processing largely in filing order. When you first file you will be assigned a nine digit case number. It is vital to write this number down as all future contact with most of the goverment will require this number.

  Another item we are seeing confusion about is that after filing you will probably receive forms that imply they are for filing for an SBA loan. Fill them out and return them regardless. The SBA is apparently acting as the processing agency for much of the assistance requests. If you do qualify for an SBA loan they will process it, otherwise they are working with FEMA for assistance grants. These grants reportedly (source: Beauregard Parish Emergency Response) can range from $5,500 to $26,000.

  
  
  
• Need financial assistance?
  Veteran's Benefits Robert Sparlin, Jr will be in the Beau Parish Courthouse basement on Wed, 9/7, Fri 9/9 and Wed 9/14. Veteran's can apply for their checks. It will be a 7-10 day before checks come in. Mr Sparlin's cell number is 337-208-8996. Also Veterans can go for medical treatment, prescriptions, and their records at the Alexandria VA hospital.
  
  Social Security Checks The Social Security Office at 807 Pine Street, DeRidder, will help. In some cases you may receive an emergency check within a few days. For more information, call 463-4436 or go to the office.
  
  Banking Assistance Local Banks are committed to helping you get to your funds if at all possible. In some cases they can contact a branch of your bank which is still functioning. For more information, go to any DeRidder bank.
  
  Food Stamps Office of Family Services is ready to process applications for the Disaster Food Stamp Program. They are offering extended hours and shorter forms which recognize that you may not have documentation with you. They are committed to processing applications as quickly as possible. Contact the office by phone 463-6091 or visit 1891 Hwy 190 West, DeRidder. The office will be open Sunday, Sept 4 and Monday, Sept 5 from 7am - 7pm.
  
  Other Needs Let your shelter manager know what you need. Many people in the community are interested in helping you.
  
  
  
• School Information Local schools are prepared to waive requirements (birth certificates and other documents you may not have with you), provide supplies, assist with getting uniforms and make sure special needs children receive the services they have been getting at home. If you are in a shelter, check with the manager. If you are sheltering with family or friends, go to the school for that area. If you need help, contact the school board at 463-5551.
  
  
• Sheltering with a pet? Pets boarding and other emergency services are being co-ordinated by Veterinarian, Catherine White. Check with your shelter manager for details.
  
  
• Internal Revenue Service Employee? The Internal Revenue Service is attempting to locate about 200 IRS employees whose whereabouts are unknown since the hurricane hit the Gulf Coast. We are asking your help in finding our employees and asking them to contact us to let us know they are okay. If you come in contact with any of our employees or have any knowledge of their location or status, please call our Hurricane Katrina Emergency Operations Command Center in Nashville, Tenn. at 615-250-5545 or ask them to contact us at that number.
  
  

• GED/Adult Education

  The Beauregard Adult Education Center offers free classes to those in need of their GED, refreshing skills, job skills, computer skills, English as a second language, literacy, and U.S. Citizenship training. This service is free and available even to those who are new to the area.

  Contact the Beauregard Adult Education Center at 462-2707 or come by the center at 506 Martin Luther King Dr in DeRidder.

  
  

• Legal Assistance

  Southwest Louisiana Legal Services, in cooperation with the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, is offering free legal advice to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Those in need of assistance are encouraged to call 337-436-3308 or 800-256-1955 and ask to speak with David Hudson or Robert Little.

  
  
  • Contact friends or family members
  
  
  Governor's Office Key Contacts List (pdf file)
  
  
  
  Beauregard Parish Katrina Emergency Response
  
  Library Home Page