BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana schools will soon close for summer and the elimination of a normal routine may increase the need for crisis counseling for both adult and child survivors of the August floods. Free disaster crisis counseling is available through Louisiana Spirit, a program administered by the state and funded by a FEMA grant. If you wish to speak with the counselors call 866-310-7977.
Children should keep a routine and positive focus in the recovery process of disasters. Both are recommended by a number of children-focused organizations working on the Louisiana recovery. Summer camps, sports and outdoor adventures are good options to keep your child active and engaged.
In Louisiana, FEMA has been working with federal partners, including the U.S. Department of Education, nongovernmental organizations, pediatric experts and external stakeholders to ensure the needs of children are considered and integrated into disaster related efforts initiated at the federal level. The work is underway and will continue for as long as it takes.
Louisiana Spirit crisis counselors also go door-to-door in disaster-affected areas to provide services for both adults and children. In Louisiana, the program is working side-by-side with the Metropolitan Human Services District in New Orleans, the American Red Cross and other organizations. For more information, visit dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/page/201.
