Surviving Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene  
Thank you to all health centers who responded to the League requests for status updates throughout Irene's wrath and aftermath. We are happy to report that damages were minimal and all centers were restored to fully operational status just 4 days after the storm. As a reminder, Massachusetts was granted a presidential emergency declaration, be certain to maintain detailed financial records of any actions taken to mitigate the storm's impact, and expenses and losses as a result of the storm. Watch for more information on potential reimbursement opportunities from the state.
MEMA's website: http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/mema/news_and_updates/2011/Next_Steps_Following_Hurricane_Irene.pdf
League resource page: http://www.massleague.org/Programs/EmergencyPreparedness/Hurricane.php

Announcement of Federal Funds - FEMA 3330 Tropical Storm Irene   
MEMA - Oct 7, 2011. Please see the Memo and Briefing Schedule below regarding reimbursement for eligible costs due to the August 28th, 2011 Tropical Storm Irene, Category B Emergency Protective Measures.  We encourage you to send a member of your organization to one of the briefings to gather pertinent information and fill out an application if you have not already sent one in to MEMA.
**Please note that at this time, these Briefings are only for storm related costs in the counties of Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, & Suffolk. A separate Briefing Schedule will be sent out for Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes & Nantucket.

• Memo: Letter to PNP's for 3330 Applicant Briefings - Worcester, Middlesex, Essex & Suffolk 
• Briefing Schedule FEMA 3330 EM - Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, & Suffolk 

Haiti SERG Initiative  
The Haiti earthquake disaster of January 12, 2010 had a significant impact in Massachusetts.It particularly affected several community health centers whose staff and patients are of Haitian descent. At the request of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), the the League assessed needs, acted as a liaison between health centers and MDPH, and disseminated timely and accurate information including a specific resource page on the League website. The League collaborated with MDPH to support health center and community-based efforts to those affected by the earthquake. In July 2011, Massachusetts was the recipient of funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), one of three national recipients, to continue efforts to address the mental health needs of those affected by the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti. Together with the League, MDPH contracted with nine (9) community health centers serving Haitian and Haitian-American patients to continue this important endeavor to help the Massachusetts Haitian community to continue on the path of wellness and to thrive. As part of this initiative, BU Medical Center is providing a series of emergency response trainings with a focus on disaster relief. BU Medical Center has offered to open up these trainings to all health center staff that might be interested in attending. Please see more details under Disaster Relief Trainings. 

Americares Disaster Recovery Grant Program    
NACHC - Sept 15 2011. AmeriCares, a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that provides immediate response to emergency medical needs and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs in the United States and internationally, has announced the launch of a $500,000 disaster recovery initiative to aid survivors of Hurricane Irene and other recent storms. The initiative will provide funding to nonprofit organizations responding to the recent hurricane, as well as to nonprofits continuing to rebuild and aid recovery efforts in the wake of the tornadoes in the Midwest and South, Mississippi and Missouri river flooding, and other major natural disasters that have taken place since February 1, 2011. The deadline to apply is October 31 and it is on a first come, first serve basis.

• 2011 US Disaster Recovery Grant Proposal and Template 
• Americares Logic Model Template  
• Americares Budget Template 
• 2011 US US Disaster Grant RFP and Funding Criteria 

Q&As about Healthcare Personnel Vaccination  
Immunization Action Coalition, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & MDPH - Sept 8, 2011.  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has just issued its 2011 Massachusetts Requirements and Recommendations for vaccination of adults, including health care workers.  To view the 2011 Immunization Requirements & Regulations please click here. To view the Q&A about health care personnel vaccination from the Immunization Action Coalition please click here.

If you have questions about flu vaccination of health care personnel and/or reporting of employee flu vaccination rates of you employees in Massachusetts, please call the Division of Health Care Quality at 1-800-462-5540.  

CDC Learning Connection: Emergency Preparedness Spotlight       

CDC - Sept 8, 2011. CDC launched a spotlight page with Emergency Preparedness & Response Training Products designed to help educate the public health community on all-hazards. To view the CDC Learning products and resources designed to help educate the public health community on all-hazards approaches to emergency preparedness and response please click here.  

Donate to the League's Emergency Relief Fund

The June 1st storms caused significant damage to Caring Health Center in Springfield, including the destruction of 25 employee cars by flying debris. A preliminary estimate of the damage, which includes facility costs not reimbursable through insurance as well as the storm-related transportation and housing needs of the center's employees and patients, has been set at more than $275,000. Proceeds of this fund also will be used to help employees and patients of other western and central Massachusetts health centers affected by the storm.  

To make a gift to the fund, please click on the Network for Good link above.