Unexpected Calls for Help as School Starts
 What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time the number of calls from parents needing help with their children's school supplies were too few to raise eyebrows. This year, the dramatic increase in calls has triggered United Way organizations throughout the state to step in and help.
Earlier this month, local United Ways began collecting assorted school items including backpacks, paper, pens, pencils, glue stickers, and lunch bags. Some of the United Ways are distributing the supplies directly. Others have joined forces with their local school districts or partner agencies. Families in need of supplies are encouraged to call 2-1-1 so they can be appropriately directed.
If you would like to help by organizing a school supply drive, contact your local United Way or 2-1-1 to get an updated list of the school supplies that are most needed. And, if you or a family you know needs help preparing for the start of school call 2-1-1 or visit www.nj211.org. Need help? Start Here.
NJ OEM Kicks Off National Preparedness Month
 September is National Preparedness Month. With the help of the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the NJ Office of Emergency Management (OEM), 2-1-1 specialists have been well trained to help the public prepare for emergency situations. To learn ways to prepare, citizens can call 2-1-1 or visit the OEM website at www.ready.nj.gov . The following news release by the Office of Emergency Management outlines how to prepare for an emergency situation.
NJOEM Kicks-off National Preparedness Month
On Tuesday September 1, 2009, National Preparedness Month kicks-off throughout the country. Over the next few weeks, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management will deliver several key emergency management initiatives and messages designed to help New Jersey residents empower themselves and their families in the event of a natural or manmade emergency.
As such, today we start with the simple steps that New Jerseyians can do to prepare for the unforeseen as well as reduce stress and confusion during an actual emergency. The basics of preparedness for virtually all hazards are the same: Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Stay Informed. Following the appropriate steps and being ready "now" means that residents will be ready for any disaster or crisis that may affect New Jersey.
"Planning and preparation are the cornerstones of safety. By taking time to create an appropriate emergency plan for yourself, your family or place of business, you are readying your environment for any potential emergency," said State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes, Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.
The following are some quick tips for emergency preparedness:
"GET A KIT" of Emergency Supplies
- ITEMS FOR YOUR HOME
- Three days' supply of canned, non-perishable, ready-to-eat FOOD
- Three days' supply of WATER (a total of three gallons per family member)
- Battery-operated RADIO and extra batteries
- FLASHLIGHT and extra batteries
- One week's prescription MEDICATIONS
- FIRST AID KIT
- Personal TOILETRIES
- Non-electric CAN OPENER and UTENSILS
- SPECIAL NEEDS items:
- INFANT care items
- Items for ELDERLY family members
- Items for relatives with DISABILITIES
- CASH or TRAVELERS CHECKS
- Store important DOCUMENTS in a waterproof, safe location
IN CASE YOU NEED TO EVACUATE
- Keep a half-gallon of GAS at all times
- Every family member must carry CONTACT INFORMATION:
- All phone numbers at work, school, etc. for every family member
- The name and number of a relative who lives out-of-state, to call in case your family
- gets separated.
"MAKE A PLAN" for Yourself, Your Family or Your Business
- Meet with the members of your household or office
- Talk about the types of disasters that are most likely to happen in your area
- Take time to explain the dangers of emergency incidents to children
- Discuss why everyone needs to prepare for a disaster
- Address any special needs concerns in the event of an emergency
- Build an emergency contact phone list
- Make provisions for pets
- Remember to establish and share emergency incident responsibilities
- Emphasize that teamwork and staying calm are key
STEP THREE: "STAY INFORMED" of Possible Threats
It is important to know about the risks that may happen in your community, and to know whether an emergency is imminent or is already taking place.
Contact your local Office of Emergency Management and ask which Types of Emergencies are most likely in your area, and how to prepare for each. Learn about the warning signals that will be used in your community. Learn about the local radio and TV stations you should tune into for emergency alerts and official instructions. Learn about the disaster plans for your Workplace, your children's School or Day Care Center, and Other Places where your family spends time.
Keep track of Current Weather Forecasts and Alerts with:
Local radio and TV stations as well as via internet publications
NOAA Weather Radio - or listen online
NJOEM's Weather Links
For more information regarding emergency preparedness log on to:
http://www.ready.nj.gov
To learn more about emergency preparations, dial 2-1-1 or visit www.nj211.org. There you can communicate with a professional who can help you with life's emergencies, both big and small.
NJ Register Ready!
The NJ Office of Emergency Management wants to remind residents with special needs that they can call 2-1-1 to sign onto the New Jersey Special Needs Registry. The registry was established three years ago to help first responders better prepare to assist individuals with disabilities in an emergency situation. The program was originally piloted in four coastal communities but is currently operating in 10 counties.
The registry provides residents who may require help due to their physical limitations and their families the opportunity to give life saving information to emergency response agencies that will aid them in preparing for day-of-response evacuation and sheltering should a disaster or emergency situation arise. Residents who register are also directly notified by local officials when an evacuation has been ordered to assure adequate time for appropriate action. All information collected is confidential and only used for emergency planning and response purposes.
For more information visit the website of the Office of Emergency Management at https://www13.state.nj.us/specialneeds or call 2-1-1 to register.
FYI Spotlight on: The Community Food Bank of New Jersey
 Kathleen DiChiara, first began distributing groceries out of her car in 1975. Today, she serves as the Executive Director of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the largest source of donated food in the state. The Food Bank is located in a 28,000 square foot warehouse facility in Hillside.
Already this year over 28 million pounds of food and groceries have been distributed, an increase of 20% over past years. The Food Bank serves 1,656 non-profit programs including 436 programs served by its Partner Distribution Organizations (PDOs) and through their combined efforts, they assist three-quarters of a million low-income people in 18 of New Jersey's 21 counties. They are individuals and families who have come to food pantries, shelters for the homeless, soup kitchens, childcare centers, battered women's shelters and senior citizen programs - - hungry.
However, while there is evidence of economic recovery, the need for food assistance continues to increase. For example, the Food Bank reports that the need for food at shelters statewide is up 30% and up 67% at emergency pantries.
To support the growing demand, the Food Bank of New Jersey is working to reach even more people in need. In the coming months, the Food Bank plans to double the number of children in its children's feeding program. The program features the Kids Café, which provides nutritious evening meals to children in daycare centers and after school programs in some of our poorest communities, and the Backpack Program that provides food for the weekend when school meals aren't available to children in food-insecure homes. By doubling its efforts, the Food Bank expects to reach as many as 4,000 children this year.
To help those affected by the ailing job market, the food bank plans to increase enrollment at its Food Service Training Academy and has worked this summer to expand their professional commissary and add more classroom space. The 14 week program offers people facing obstacles in the job market (including the homeless, former offenders on parole and drug addicts in recovery) with skills and credentials that can help them secure employment.
Finally, there are many organizations that do not have the capacity to respond to the ever increasing numbers of individuals and families who have become victims of the current economic crisis. To help, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey is putting a mobile food pantry on the road. The refrigerated automobile is scheduled to hit the streets this fall and will allow for food distribution to agencies without the accommodations needed to keep food fresh. The mobile pantry will also serve as an emergency resource in communities where transportation obstacles have made it difficult to respond to the need.
The Community Food Pantry of New Jersey welcomes volunteers and community supporters to help realize its long term vision while supporting short term resolutions to
hunger. To volunteer or donate to the agency or to learn more about the programs offered within your community, visit www.njfoodbank.org.
Caring and Compassion on the Other End of the Line
Accurate information, respectfully and courteously conveyed, often means the difference between getting the help needed and feeling lost and powerless. NJ 2-1-1 is built on the principle of outstanding customer service and strives to provide a warm, compassionate, and experienced response to each and every caller - each and every time.
To measure performance, NJ 2-1-1 surveys customer satisfaction annually. This year the results were outstanding. Over 5,700 callers were surveyed, recording the following responses:
- Did you feel the person you just spoke with cared about your situation? Over 98% of respondents answer "yes."
- Did the person you just spoke with give you information that was useful? 98% of respondents answered "yes."
- Were you treated with respect during the call? Nearly 100% of respondents answered "yes."
- Would you recommend 2-1-1 to a friend in need? Nearly 99% of respondents answered "yes."
NJ 2-1-1 call specialists are available 24/7 to assist callers in an emergency or with life's everyday challenges and opportunities and callers are encouraged to call back if additional problem-solving is needed. To give us your feedback visit http://www.nj211.org/hearabout211.cfm. |
