Hurricane Helene Information for Local Social Services Agencies

General Information

• Family Resource Center and Missing Persons Reporting (October 16, 2024)
• Crisis Counseling for First Responders: Hope4NC Helpline | NCDHHS
• List of operating pharmacies: https://www.ncbop.org/emergencyoperatingpharmacieshelene.html
• List of open medical practices: https://www.ncmedboard.org/landing-page/provider-status-page/P40
• FNS Flexibilities: Hurricane Helene Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Flexibilities | NCDHHS
• Shelter and DSNAP Coding Guidance FAQ
• DSNAP and Shelter Fiscal Refresher Training Question and Answers (October 23, 2024)
• 100 County Call Hurricane Helene Updates (October 24, 2024)

Mental Health Resources (Short & Long Term) During Response and Recovery Efforts:

• Crisis Hotline: We’ve ramped up staffing at the crisis hotline, 988. Individuals in immediate crisis or contemplating self-harm should not hesitate to call. More information is available at 988lifeline.org. 
• Disaster Distress Hotline: For everyone, we have the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disaster distress hotline: 1-800-985-5990. This service provides support, listening, and resources specializing in post-disaster trauma. 
• Support for First Responders: We are deploying mental health clinicians for all first responders and have launched the Hope4NC hotline for them at 1-855-587-3463. 
• Counselors at Shelters: Mental health counselors are available at shelters, stocked with naloxone, and have access to methadone. You can find shelters here: Shelters. 
• Opioid Treatment Programs: All opioid treatment programs in the region are open, and individuals can receive their treatment doses at any location, not just their usual one. Treatment options can be found here: Treatment Locations. 
• Vaya Health Resources:  Vaya Health has compiled a comprehensive list of providers addressing urgent needs. Vaya’s 24/7 line is 1-800-849-6127, and the resource list is available here: Vaya Resources. Please note that lists walk-in clinics in each community that are open and available to provide services to members in distress.    
• As we move through response and recovery, we will be working with Vaya to build out additional community resources.  

Adult Services

Child Welfare

• Regulatory and Licensing Updates  (October 17, 2024)
  • Displaced Foster Family Guidance
  • Licensing Waivers - Executive Order 319
  • At A Glance - Licensing Flexibilities during Helene
• Pre-Services Training Adjustments; Piloting of Hybrid Pre-Service  (October 17, 2024)
  • Piloting of Hybrid Pre-Service
• Child Welfare - Secondary Traumatic Stress Learning Communities (October 2, 2024)
• Helene information NCWorks

Child Support Services

Economic and Family Services

Medicaid

• Medicaid DSS Communication

DSNAP and FNS

• FNS statewide certification extensions:
• On 10/15, we extended certification periods statewide for September active cases with 6-month certification periods (~850 cases).
• On 10/17, we extended certification periods statewide for September active cases with 12-month certification periods (~350 cases).
• On 10/17, we extended certification periods statewide for October recertifications (~77,000 cases).
• On 10/21, we extended certification periods statewide for September suspended cases (~25,000 cases).
• We are working to also extend certification statewide for late recertifications with certification period ending in September.   
• We will also extend certification periods for those coming due in November.
• As a reminder, SNAP cases are not part of the certification extension waiver. 
• (D-SNAP) Tropical Storm Helene_REVISED DCDL (October 17, 2024)
  • 100 County Call - D-SNAP (October 17, 2024)
• Hurricane Helene - Automated Mass Replacements for FNS and SUN Bucks Recipients (October 14, 2024)
• Hurricane Helene - Statewide FNS Certification Extension Waiver (October 14,2024)
• Shelter and DSNAP Coding Guidance FAQ
• DSNAP and Shelter Fiscal Refresher Training Question and Answers (October 23, 2024)