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HOW TO HELP DISASTER SURVIVORS IN TEXAS
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Intergovernmental Affairs Division
Telephone 202-646-3444
Intergovernmental Affairs Advisory
HOW TO HELP DISASTER SURVIVORS IN TEXAS
August 29, 2017
The compassion and generosity of the American people is never more evident than during and after a disaster. It is individuals, non-profits, faith- and community-based organizations, private sector partners, and governmental agencies working together that will most effectively and efficiently help survivors cope with the impacts of Tropical Storm Harvey.
Please follow a few important guidelines below to ensure your support can be the most helpful for Tropical Storm Harvey disaster survivors.
TO DONATE TO RELIEF EFFORTS
The most effective way to support disaster survivors in their recovery is to donate money and time to trusted, reputable, voluntary or charitable organizations.
Cash donations offer voluntary agencies and faith-based organizations the most flexibility to address urgently developing needs. With cash in hand, these organizations can obtain needed resources nearer to the disaster location. This inflow of cash also pumps money back into the local economy and helps local businesses recover faster.
Please do not donate unsolicited goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, medicine, or perishable foodstuffs at this time. When used personal items are donated, the helping agencies must redirect their staff away from providing direct services to survivors in order to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors.
Donate through a trusted organization. At the national level, many voluntary-, faith- and community-based organizations are active in disasters, and are trusted ways to donate to disaster survivors. Individuals, corporations, and volunteers, can learn more about how to help on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) website.
In addition to the national members, The Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Texas VOAD) has a list of vetted disaster relief organizations providing services to survivors. Texas VOAD represents more than three dozen faith-based, community, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations.
TO PERSONALLY VOLUNTEER IN THE DISASTER AREAS
The State of Texas is asking volunteers to not self-deploy, as unexpectedly showing up to any of the communities that have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey will create an additional burden for first responders.
The National VOAD has also noted the situation may not be conducive to volunteers entering the impacted zone and individuals may find themselves turned away by law enforcement.
To ensure volunteer safety, as well as the safety of disaster survivors, volunteers should only go into affected areas with a specific volunteer assignment, proper safety gear, and valid identification.
At this time, potential volunteers are asked to register with a voluntary or charitable organization of their choice, many of which are already in Texas and supporting survivors on the ground.
The National and Texas VOAD websites are offering links to those who wish to register to volunteer with community- and faith-based organizations working in the field.
Most importantly, please be patient. Although the need is great, and desire to help strong, it is important to avoid donating material goods or self-deploying to help until communities are safe and public officials and disaster relief organizations have had an opportunity to assess the damage and identify what the specific unmet needs are.
Volunteer generosity helps impacted communities heal from the tragic consequences of disasters, but recovery lasts much longer than today. There will be volunteer needs for many months, and years, after the disaster, so sign up now.
Tropical Storm Harvey is still dangerous, with the potential to impact additional areas of Texas and Louisiana. As the situation changes, needs may also change in these areas. Continue monitoring traditional and social media channels to learn more.
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National PTA Announces STEM + Families Grant Program
ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Aug. 25, 2017)—National PTA announced today that $100,000 in funding will be awarded to PTAs across the country this school year to increase family engagement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The funding is part of National PTA’s STEM + Families initiative.
“We know—and decades of research proves—that families play a critical role in children’s success. We also know that parents and guardians have the biggest influence on a child’s educational and career decisions,” said Jim Accomando, president of National PTA. “Family engagement is essential to strengthen STEM education, bridge the STEM gap and help all children realize their fullest potential. National PTA is excited to further our STEM + Families initiative and equip PTAs and schools nationwide with resources to engage families in STEM education.”
With the funding, PTAs and schools will:
- Engage families using hands-on learning experiences at PTA STEM + Families Events
- Educate families about STEM literacy, STEM careers and STEM education pathways and empower them to support their children’s success in STEM
- Connect families and students to STEM enrichment and professional mentors
The funding will be granted in phases. An initial 35 $1,000 National PTA STEM + Families Math Grants, sponsored by Mathnasium, will be awarded this fall to council and local PTAs selected through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The deadline to apply for this first wave of grants is Aug. 31, 2017.
“Mathnasium is excited to build on our relationship with National PTA by sponsoring the STEM + Families Math Grants,” said Peter Markovitz, founder and chief executive officer of Mathnasium. “We’re honored to work side by side with the dedicated parent leaders of PTA to engage families in math nights, promote the awareness of STEM education and careers, and pursue our mission that all children should understand and master math.”
Another $65,000 in National PTA STEM + Families Science Grants, sponsored by Bayer, will be awarded to state, council and local PTAs selected through a second RFP that will be launched later in the 2017-2018 school year.
“Bayer is committed to providing comprehensive, impactful, hands-on programs that will help more families become engaged in science,” said Sarah Toulouse, executive director, Bayer USA Foundation. “We are pleased to support National PTA in their efforts to achieve this goal through STEM + Families.”
In addition to the grant program, National PTA is pleased to announce that logic and STEM game maker ThinkFun has become a new supporting sponsor of STEM + Families. As part of ThinkFun’s support of the initiative, the company will donate educational games to all National PTA STEM + Families grant recipients in the coming school year.
About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.
About Mathnasium
Mathnasium, the nation’s leading math-only learning center franchise, specializes in teaching kids math in a way that makes sense to them. The result of 40+ years of instruction and research, the Mathnasium Method has transformed the way children understand and appreciate math—whether they’re ahead of the curve, performing at grade level, or falling behind. Franchising since 2003, Mathnasium has become one of the fastest-growing educational franchises, with a new center opening each week. There are more than 800 Mathnasium franchises in the U.S. and abroad. For more information, visit Mathnasium.com or call (877) 601-MATH.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.
About ThinkFun Inc.
For over 30 years, ThinkFun Inc. has been dedicated to creating games that spark curiosity, cultivate confidence, and nurture life-long learners. Its games encourage interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM), while generating excitement for a world of learning through play. Innovation, creativity, value, and fun are the four elements that comprise the development of every game. Ignite the mind, and change the world for each player.
Media Contact
Heidi May Wilson, National PTA
National PTA and Virginia PTA Statement on Racial Violence in Charlottesville, Va.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Aug. 17, 2017)—National PTA President Jim Accomando and Virginia PTA President Sarah Gross issued the following statement regarding the racial violence that occurred in Charlottesville, Va.:
“National PTA, Virginia PTA and PTAs across the country denounce the racial violence that transpired during the ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville. The acts of hate go against PTA and our nation’s values of diversity, inclusion and respect. Our condolences go out to the community and the families impacted by the violence.
“National PTA Cofounder Alice McLellan Birney stated in 1898: ‘The National Congress of Mothers, irrespective of creed, color or condition, stands for all parenthood, childhood, homehood.’ Those words, true in 1898, are even truer today.
“It is urgent that we understand, value and embrace the uniqueness of all individuals, appreciating that each contributes a diversity of views, experiences, cultural heritage/traditions, skills/abilities, values and preferences which enriches and strengthens our nation.
“PTAs are uniquely qualified to recognize, address and honor the diversity of our communities and play an important role in helping to create inclusive school environments and ensuring that all families are welcomed and engaged. Effective family engagement must include a robust diversity and inclusion plan so all families feel invited and are equipped with the tools to support their child and improve the school, which makes a difference for every child and is the purpose and mission of PTA.
“National PTA has developed a variety of tools and resources that can be downloaded at PTA.org/Diversity to help school communities embrace diversity and inclusion. Our association also offers tips to help families and educators have conversations with their children about incidents such as the racial violence in Charlottesville and use such situations to reinforce family and community values and beliefs. The tips can be accessed at PTA.org.
“We know that although our differences matter, PTA’s mission to support all families and make every child’s potential a reality is what brings us together. We have the tools and resources to provide families with comfort, solace, advice and assistance. And when we are truly inclusive, we are an even more powerful voice for all children.”
About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.
About Virginia PTA
Virginia PTA is a volunteer, child advocacy association comprised of hundreds of thousands of families, students, teachers, administrators and community partners working for all children and youth in the Commonwealth. The primary goal of the Virginia PTA is to strengthen our family units, our schools and our communities through parent/family involvement. Virginia PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) association and recognizes parents as the first educators in the home and works to promote parents as partners in the school. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit VAPTA.org.