Information For Shelters, Agencies, and Volunteers

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.

Shelters

• Where To Send People For Shelter Call the DeRidder Police Department (337)462-8911. Be sure to let them know if there are special needs. Special accomodations are available for the elderly and for people who need medical care.
  
  
• Pets Dr Catherine White is coordinating pet boarding and other services related to pets. 463-2838
• Current Shelter List This is the most recent information we have. Please let us know when things change at any of the shelters so we can update. We are currently sheltering over 1,525. Good job Beauregard!! Last update Sept 14, 2005

  Name	Sep 3	Sep 14	Contact Info	Comments
  Dry Creek Baptist Camp	380	264	328-7531	Dry Creek. Internet service available.
  Emery Wallace Retreat Center	67	62	328-7385	Bundicks Lake Area
  VFW Hall	132	29	463-3977	DeRidder
  Pleasant Hill Baptist Church	19	17	463-6611 Mrs Carlson	Currently receiving people.
  Merryville Nursing Center	??	3	825-6181 Mrs Carlson	Merryville. Special needs shelter.
  Grace Church	61	??	__	DeRidder
  American Legion	__	17	__	The parking lot is filling up. Open?
  In Private Homes	309	1133	__	Private homes should register with DSS
  In Local Hotels	155	??	__	Private homes should register with DSS
  First United Methodist Church	__	??	__	Opening Soon. DeRidder.
  First Baptist Church	__	??	__	Opening Soon. DeRidder.

• Shelter Co-ordination It is very important to co-ordinate the opening of new shelters to insure that everyone has the necessary services.

Supplies

• Distribution Center The old K-Mart building will be the drop off, storage and contact point for supplies. It will be manned from 8am-4pm. Debbie Loftin will be coordinating donations and distribution from this location - contact number is 337-343-1236. Shelters needing supplies should call 462-5024.
  
  
• Delivery Parish and City trucks are available to deliver supplies to the centers. Volunteers are available to help with loading.
  
  
• List Of Needed Supplies The Library will publish a list of what is needed. Please send email to help@beau.org or fax the list to 462-5434, Attention: Vicki. The current list is at: Needs
  
  
• Non-Perishable Supplies will be stored at the K-Mart building.
  
  
• Clothing and Baby Supplies may dropped off at the K-Mart building. At this time, most clothing needs have been met. The needs list tells what clothing is still being accepted at the center.
  
  
• Perishable Supplies may be dropped off at the K-Mart building and will be taken to the Dixie Maid site for cold storage.
  
  

Volunteers

• Volunteer Co-ordinator
  
  
• Loading/Unloading For large loads or other big jobs, trustees may be available. Call 463-3281.

Health Care

• EMTs and First Responders will visit each shelter twice daily to tend to the health care needs.
• If anyone in a shelter needs medical attention, call 911 immediately.
• Thrifty-Way's Mike Roy is co-ordinating services related to prescription medications. It will help him if each shelter will try to bring a group of people once or twice a day rather than sending one at a time. 463-7442
• Medical Oxygen needs will be co-ordinated by Mike Roy and by the City Police.
• 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.
• Special shelters are available for people who need continuous medical care and for the frail or elderly. Call Glen Mears.
• For public health issues, the Health Unit is available at 463-4486.
• People who are sheltering friends or family members in their homes should register through DSS 463-6091. They will have forms for assistance.

Counseling And Spiritual Needs

Local churches are opening to provide a quiet place for prayer and meditation. Pastors and counselors will be provided. A list of participating churches and contact information will be posted soon.

Schools

• Each shelter, please try to send the school board a list of the children who need to register for school. Send, Name, age, grade and any special services the child was receiving.
• The schools are waiving requirements such as birth certificates, shot records, social security cards, etc. for people who are sheltering in the area.
• Busses will pick up children at the shelters.
• Schools will waive the uniform requirements until the child has been provided with uniforms. Wesley United Methodist Church (463-6061) and Grace Church (463-5382) will collect and distribute uniforms.
• BeauCare is providing supplies through the schools. Tell people in the shelters that the school will have the necessary supplies for each child.
• The School Board is delivering registration forms and other information to the shelters.
• The School Board would like to know of any teachers sheltering in the area.
• As of Sep 14, the BPSB reports 279 children enrolled in the local school system.

Employment

• Anyone who is interested in finding employment can sign up on the Louisiana Works website.

Other Services

• 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. Veterans can apply for their checks. Expect 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.
• LA Dept of Social Services or call 1(888)524-3578 - Special services for Katrina survivors.
• Louisiana Financial Assistance To Katrina Survivors
• FEMA Registration
• FEMA 800 Numbers
• Showers Cross Training Gym - 8AM-8PM, 462-1493
• Activities for Children Contact BeauCare 462-2273
• Language Services Services are being organized for people who do not speak English. More information is coming soon.
• Phones DeRidder Church of the Nazarine, 812 Shirley St. Contact BAMA co-ordinator Larry Stone at 462-5024.
• Internet Beauregard Parish Library providing computer lab and wireless services at DeRidder and rural branches and at Dry Creek Shelter (463-6217). BeauCare also provides an Internet Lab (462-2273).
• Library Service The Library is honoring 'home' library cards and issuing temporary cards. We are also bringing books and magazines to shelters. Reference assistance is available at any Library branch (463-6217).
• Food Stamps Less paperwork, shorter waits and extended office hours are being offered under a special program for Disaster Relief. The office is opening additional hours as needed.

Documentation

Reimbursement for authorized services through a shelter may be available through FEMA. Keep all receipts and other documentation related to the expenditures. In some cases, salary paid to employees may be reimbursable. FEMA does not pay for volunteer services.