Coping resources

Counseling

The Switchboard of Miami Inc. and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Mental Health and Crisis Management Services have opened their lines to anyone in need of confidential counseling as a result of the situation in Haiti. Please call 305-358-4357(Switchboard of Miami) or 305-995-2273 (Mental Health and Crisis Management Services).

Department of Children and Families

The Department of Children and Families has collected and translated a broad range of resource materials for use by individuals and agencies working with people devastated by the earthquake in Haiti. For a complete list of resources, click here.

Haiti Emergency Leadership Program Center for Youth

ASPIRA of Florida, Inc, the largest Hispanic youth organization in the country, announces the opening of the Haiti Emergency Leadership Program (H.E.L.P.) Center for Youth.  The Center will open on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, from 4-7 p.m. at the ASPIRA Youth Leadership Charter School located at 13300 Memorial Parkway, North Miami, FL 33161. For information, call 305-893-8050.

 The H.E.L.P. Center for Youth is designed to provide:

• Bereavement and trauma counseling for youth
• Information and referral for necessary wraparound services
• A drop off point for needed supplies
• Dropout and substance abuse prevention activities
• Family intervention services

For the drop off, staff decided to concentrate on supplies that will directly impact children.  We’ve identified items such as children’s medicine (children’s Motrin, children’s Tylenol, etc,) child Band-Aids and bandages, PediaLyte, Baby Formula, Diapers, and wipes.  Supplies can be dropped off at the center beginning on Wednesday.  The H.E.L.P. Center will operate weekly; we are currently evaluating the need to open daily.

Temporary Protection Status

The United States Citizenship & Immigration Service is currently processing applications for Temporary Protected Status for Haitian
nationals living in the U.S. since January 12. TPS beneficiaries are allowed to remain in the United States and can legally work for 18 months with Employment Authorization. For more information, click here.

The Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC) will host free TPS clinics the week of March 8. Free lawyers will be present to help individuals complete a TPS application. Call (305) 573-1106 ext.1250 or visit FIAC's office to sign up for a clinic appointment. The deadline to apply for TPS is July 20FIAC's office is located at: 3000 Biscayne Blvd., 4th floor
Miami, Fl 33137.

Downloadable resources

The following documents contain information on coping strategies and managing stress.

Helping child survivors of a disaster: A practical guide for caregivers

Psychological support for survivors of disaster: A practical guide

Psychological aid for first responders

Tips for coping after a disaster

Tips for healthy habits that fight stress

Tips for handling stress when times get tough