JOINT INFORMATION CENTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13, 2008

Department of Social Services News Update

Hurricane Ike: DSS Provides Comprehensive Response

BATON ROUGE -- As part of its comprehensive response to hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the Department of Social Services has provided life-saving services to hundreds of thousands of Louisiana citizens and distributed millions of dollars in recovery benefits.

Since the program began on Tuesday, DSS has accepted more than 170,000 Disaster Food Stamp applications and provided $45.8 million in benefits, in addition to evacuating, registering and sheltering 1,909 citizens in advance of Hurricane Ike.

Currently, DSS is operating two Critical Transportation Needs shelters with a total of 1,629 evacuees in Shreveport and Monroe. In partnership with the Department of Health and Hospitals, DSS is operating three Medical Special Needs shelters with a total of 280 evacuees in Bossier City, Baton Rouge, and Alexandria.

Critical Transportation Needs shelters are for residents needing state-assisted transportation in getting out of harm's way and Medical Special Needs shelters are for state-assisted residents who have medical needs but do not require hospitalization. All the state-run shelters are well-stocked with personal comfort packets, showers and portable toilets.

Once again, the department's newly purchased Web-based software system allowed DSS to quickly and efficiently register evacuees who need state-assisted transportation, as well as track their whereabouts throughout a disaster.

In cooperation with parish emergency preparedness officials, DSS reports that 2,564 residents are being cared for in general population shelters operated by local entities and the Red Cross.

In addition, DSS is embedded with Search and Rescue operations conducted by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries based at Chenault Air Park in Lake Charles. Twelve DSS staff members were on duty during the storm and provided towels, blankets, scrubs, footwear and psychological counseling to rescued citizens as they arrived at the base.

As an added precaution, DSS partnered with Goodwill Industries in Lafayette to provide a safe location, counseling, and reconnection services for minor children separated from their parents or caregivers during Hurricane Ike.

For the latest information on Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, visit emergency.louisiana.gov or call the state's emergency hotline at 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information.

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