FREE legal services in LA and TX for those impacted by the hurricane. September 7, 2020

Background: The lawyers - some work for Legal Aid offices and some are volunteers - are trained on disaster issues.  The Red Cross has a longstanding partnership with Legal Services Corporation/Legal Aid Offices.   

Common issues:  Lawyers are available to help with all sorts of problems - housing, consumer scams, FEMA applications, food, healthcare, social services and more.  Working with a lawyer can speed up processes, eliminate mistakes in government relief applications, and generally cut through the mess.  Understand that one of a client’s top priorities may be finding a place to stay and taking care of their families.  Engaging a lawyer can assist in finding a solutions quickly. Consistent top issue is housing needs - evictions, landlord tenant, insurance, return of rent deposits and long-term solutions.

Process: If a person calls the numbers below, they will be helped. If they live outside the service area, they will be referred to a local agency in their area.  If person needs assistance in Spanish, they will be referred to a Spanish speaking lawyer. 

Distribution:  Hope this helps with requests for help you may receive.  Hard copies should be printed and distributed.

 Louisiana

 Disaster Hotline 1 844 244 7871

 Call this hotline for free legal help. It was initially set-up for pandemic issues but will handle all issues relating to the hurricane. The initial greeting may refer to COVID problems but just ignore that. I spoke with Executive Director for Legal Aid in LA yesterday and they are in the process of changing the recording.  

 Louisiana Lawhelp Website http://louisianalawhelp.org  

 Texas

 Legal Aid Hotlines

1 800 244 5492

1 866 659 0666

 Call one of these numbers - process is outlined above for how person will receive help. One other thing: the caller may be referred to this website to complete an initial, short application to see if they qualify for help from Legal Aid or will be referred to another group:  www.lonestarlegal.org. After this, all conversations are on the phone. 

 NO INTERNET ACCESS

However, if the caller doesn't have internet access, he/she should let the person on the other end know that, and they may help with application intake during that call.  Legal Aid is very experienced at this and wants to help.

When you call one of these numbers, you'll reach a person  - should tell that person that there is no access to internet in their area. The normal process is to tell someone calling in that they need to complete a quick online application at www.lonestarlegal.org.  

Once the application is submitted and the caller qualifies, someone will call them on the phone. So only the initial application has to be online - the rest of the assistance can be handled by phone. 

Recommended that you tell people whoever answers the phone that they have no access to internet. 

 

 

September 8, 2020 Starts. New Free Online Course in Disaster Human Services Case Management -- Register Today!

 

Disaster Human Services Case Management being offered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR). 

This free online course will be available next week on September 8, 2020! 

The course is interactive and is structured to highlight the value of case management, connecting survivors to services. 

To enroll in the course, please click on the link for the Request for Access to DHSCM Courses form. 

Once registered, you will receive a link to take the course beginning September 8, 2020.

September 2020. High School and College Students. COLLEGEREADINESSPLAN.ORG

 https://collegereadinessplan.org/

COLLEGE READINESS PLAN

---

Check out this great video

ABOUT US

---

Our History

  

College Readiness Plan is a non-profit organization (501C3) dedicated to preparing the future for success in their career choices and educational goals. For more than 15 years our College Readiness Plan has led as an essential contributor in the professional fields of business, industry, education, law, science, technology, medicine and the fine and performing arts. Our in-service presentations are empowering, informative and stimulating. The College Readiness Plans core values are self-Love, Honesty, Hard Working, Integrity and Excellence. Our values are the cornerstones that have successfully carried the College Readiness Plan through many years. 

Research and Development

  

Please assist us in the process of sharing many scholarship opportunities available through our College Readiness Plan with student’s grades preschool through 12. Our research is proven reaching students during early development is very effective with children beginning in preschool. Our representative is available for motivational speaking, financial aid, career, and College Readiness Plan in service at fairs held at schools, organizations, recreation centers and churches.

College Tours

  

The College Readiness Plan also includes monthly College Tours.

We have committed to parents and the community to disseminate the educational opportunities the College Readiness Plan is offering. 

HOST A COLLEGE READINESS PLAN SCHOLARSHIP SIGN UP PARTY! IT'S FREE, FUN AND REWARDING!

---

Host a College Readiness Plan Scholarship Sign Up Party!

1 hr

|

Free

Critical Infrastructure. Agriculture & Food. COVID-19 and beyond. Countries must offset the soaring costs of healthy foods September 2020

 

Weekly Digest   Issue #36

 

Countries must offset the soaring costs of healthy foods   There is ample food for everyone—but not everyone can afford it. Countries must offset the soaring costs of healthy foods, says Máximo Torero, chief economist of the Food and Agriculture Organisation.   LEARN MORE →

Water Security. California. U.S. EPA Orders Water Utility in Kern County to Reduce Arsenic in Drinking Water

For Immediate Release: September 2, 2020 Media Contact:   Soledad Calvino, 415-972-3512, calvino.maria@epa.gov   U.S. EPA Orders Water Utility in Kern County to Reduce Arsenic in Drinking Water NORTH EDWARDS, Calif. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently ordered North Edwards Water District to address ongoing arsenic violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The California’s State Water Resources Control Board – Division of Drinking Water (DDW) referred the system to EPA for enforcement. "A number of smaller drinking water systems in the Central Valley struggle to provide consistently safe drinking water,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud.  “EPA will work closely with this Kern County system to ensure its 600 customers have the benefit of alternative drinking water until the North Edwards Water District can supply water safe to drink."   The North Edwards Water District system serves approximately 600 residents through more than 200 connections. The system's current source of drinking water is groundwater from two wells. Arsenic, a naturally occurring mineral found throughout the United States, can be found in groundwater. Drinking high levels of arsenic over many years can increase the risk of lung, bladder, and skin cancers, as well as heart disease, diabetes, and neurological damage. Arsenic also inhibits the body’s ability to fight off cancer and other diseases. As part of EPA’s order, North Edwards Water District must comply with the arsenic maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 micrograms per liter no later than April 30, 2023. The system has been serving water with arsenic levels above the MCL since at least 2013. The District must provide a compliance plan by the end of October 2020 outlining how it will comply with the arsenic MCL standard. North Edwards Water District is also required to provide EPA with quarterly progress reports and participate in quarterly meetings with EPA and California DDW on its progress towards compliance. The District has applied for funding from the California State Water Resources Control Board – Division of Financial Assistance to provide residents with alternative water until the system complies with federal and state drinking water requirements.  EPA will continue to monitor North Edwards Water District’s efforts to provide safe drinking water and may levy penalties if the utility fails to meet the compliance provisions in the order. For more information on EPA's drinking water program, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region.