Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Senator Chuck Grassley made the following comment about the decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to make Iowans in Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona and Pottawattamie counties eligible for Individual Assistance in response to damage caused by this year’s Missouri River flooding.  Senator Grassley urged FEMA to reverse its previous position, under which Iowans in these areas would have access to Individual Assistance, in personal meetings with the Administrator of FEMA, W. Craig Fugate, and in a recent letter endorsing Governor Branstad’s appeal to FEMA.

Grassley comment:

“Iowans who lost their homes and businesses in the Missouri River flooding this year deserve to be treated fairly, and this decision is a very significant move in that direction.  It’s only right that Iowa flood victims be treated equitably, compared to the kind of assistance given to flood victims elsewhere, including right across the river from Iowa.  The magnitude and severity of the Missouri River flooding in Iowa merits maximum eligibility for federal disaster relief.”

In addition to flood recovery, Senator Grassley’s efforts continue for flood prevention and control.  Yesterday he testified before a U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing reviewing the 2011 floods and the condition of the nation’s flood-control systems.  He also met one-on-one yesterday afternoon with Brigadier General John McMahon, who is in charge of the Northwest Division of the Corps that handles the portion of the Missouri River in Iowa.

Grassley comment:

“Serious questions have been raised about the way the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has managed flows on the Missouri River.  The Corps needs to fully account for its decisions of the last year, and the actions and proposals for the future management of the Missouri River need to be carefully examined to avoid a repeat of what we saw this year.  In addition to securing a long-term fix to make flood control the top priority for Corps management of the Missouri River, there’s an important immediate issue about when to evacuate water being held upstream in order to make room for next year’s runoff, while also allowing time this year for evaluation and repair of dams and water-logged levees downstream.  It’s not possible to complete all of these repairs before winter sets in, so everything possible needs to be done to protect residents along the Missouri River from flooding again next year.”

According to FEMA, there are four ways to register for Individual Assistance:

1. Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Operators assist callers seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If an individual has a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, they can call 1-800-462-7585.
2. Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
3. Register using a tablet or smartphone by visiting m.fema.gov.
4. For individuals who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), they can call 1-800-621-3362.

***

State of Iowa

Federal Disaster Declaration Fact Sheet

October 18, 2011

On June 27, 2011, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Iowa triggering the release of Federal funds to help communities recover from Flooding, which occurred May 25, 2011, to August 1, 2011.  This disaster declaration has been amended as indicated below in bold. Details of the disaster declaration and assistance programs are as follows:

Declaration Number:                        FEMA-1998-DR

Incident:                      Flooding                      

Incident Period:                        May 25, 2011, to August 1, 2011

Federal Coordinating Officer:            Michael R. Scott

National FCO Program

Individual Assistance (IA):               Assistance to Individuals and Households.

IA – Designated Counties:                Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, and Pottawattamie.

Public Assistance (PA):                      Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.

PA – Designated Counties:                Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie, and Woodbury for Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance.

Hazard Mitigation (HM):                    Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

HM – Designated Counties:               All counties in the State of Iowa are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

OTHER:                         Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

***

For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Grassley urges consideration of Governor Branstad’s appeal to FEMA

WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today asked the top official of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider an appeal made by Governor Terry Branstad to make Iowans living in Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie and Woodbury counties eligible for individual disaster assistance.

“It’s only fair that residents of these Iowa counties be eligible for individual assistance, especially considering the latest about the magnitude and severity of the Missouri River flooding,” Grassley said.

In June, the President issued a major disaster declaration in response to the flooding.  Grassley has met personally with FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate this year and pressed for Iowans to receive assistance that is equitable to that provided elsewhere.  Here is the text of Grassley’s October 6 letter to Fugate:

October 6, 2011

The Honorable W. Craig Fugate

Administrator

Federal Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

500 C Street SW

Washington, DC 20472

Dear Administrator Fugate,

I respectfully ask that you consider the appeal that Governor Branstad submitted today for Individual Assistance for Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie, and Woodbury Counties.  On June 27, 2011, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Iowa in response to the record amounts of rain and snowmelt which led to unprecedented runoff in the Missouri River basin during the months of May, June, and July.

It is my understanding that additional information has been gathered since the original request was submitted that clarifies the magnitude and severity of this disaster.  Individual Assistance will be vital in helping Iowans, who have endured prolonged hardship over the past four months, recover.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this appeal.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

While teaching children about how to safely chase tornadoes, the book is also benefiting local kids this holiday season. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go toward Genesis Health Systems Flu Free Clinic to provide free flu shots for kids.

This is the second book for Wettstone who co-authored "Un-Natural Disasters: Iowa's E-F 5 Tornado and the Historic Floods of 2008" with Swails published in 2008.  Swails is also the author of "Superstorms: Extreme Weather in the Heart of the Heartland" published in 2004.  Both Swails and Wettstone are storm chasers and most recently followed Hurricane Irene to New York City witnessing her coming ashore onConey Island in August 2011.  They have also chased tornadoes and in 2010 came up against an EF 3 inOklahoma.

Terry and Carolyn will be signing books Friday October 21st at the Community Bank in Wapello, Iowafrom 1-3 p.m.  For more information, Carolyn and Terry can be reached at 309 523 9116 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Plant a tree for FREE in honor of Gilad Shalit’s release from captivity and send a personalized certificate to the Shalit family!

Gilad Shalit’s long-awaited homecoming is testament to the value that we as a Jewish people place on the sanctity of life and to Israel's staunch dedication to its citizens.

Jewish National Fund recognizes the pain that the prisoner exchange is causing many. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as well.

Send a tree to Gilad Shalit to welcome him home.

Or call 800-542-TREE

Show the world we will not leave anyone behind.

Courtesy of Ronald Lauder and Stanley Chesley, JNF’s Chairman of the Board and President, and its Board of Directors, in celebration of Gilad Shalit’s release after 5 ½ years of captivity.

Limit one per person. Free tree offer expires Sunday, October 23.

Please remember to pass this offer along to friends and family.

Contact: Ryann Blackshere // ryann@fosteringmediaconnections.org // 626.664.5883

-- When Americans contemplate the current debate over education reform, the majority is not likely to consider the lessons to be learned from foster care.

Research consistently suggests that childhood trauma, placement instability and myriad other factors leave many students in foster care far behind their peers in almost all academic measures. Despite this reality, stakeholders from across the country in both child welfare and education are proving that tight collaboration between education and child welfare systems can yield dramatic results for students in foster care. This signals an opportunity to apply these lessons to wider populations of vulnerable students struggling through similar educational impediments.

On October 18^th, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will begin the long awaited overhaul of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  Despite a first ever amendment to K-12 education policy that focuses squarely on the educational achievement of children in foster care, it is doubtful that much attention will be given to students in foster care, leaving the field open to intrepid reporters who will have an opportunity to frame broader themes in education reform through the intersection of foster care and education.

In an effort to give journalists a novel education story with a timely, national news hook, and strong local news leads, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) and Fostering Media Connections (FMC) have organized an unprecedented “National Conversation” to highlight and bolster a dramatic, nationwide movement to level the educational playing field for students experiencing foster care.

WHAT:

On OCTOBER 19^th, as Congress begins to publicly grapple with education reform, teachers and students in California, researchers in Illinois and policymakers in Washington, DC will share stories of challenges and strategies in improving educational outcomes for students in foster care. All the proceedings will be transmitted live, over the Internet. Further, CCAI and FMC will release an “Action Guide” that includes research, legislative history, on-the-ground journalistic accounts and a broad range of recommendations.

We ask for your coverage, and will happily provide you an embargoed copy of the “Action Guide” prior to its release so you can time your story to appear the day of the “National Conversation.”

WHEN:

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, 3:00 – 4:30 PM EST

WHERE:

Live Webcast: http://fosteringmediaconnections.org/2011/10/09/educational-opportunity-for-students-in-foster-care/ 

Register Here: http://fosteringmediaconnections.org/ccai-fmc-national-education-town-hall/

In person: Cosumnes River College, “The Garden Room” College Center - Room 133, 8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, CA

WHO:

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA): Co-Chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA): Co-Chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth

George Sheldon: Acting Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA): Co-Chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption

Cheryl Smithgall: Researcher Fellow at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago

Mike Jones: Teacher and Co-Founder of Courageous Connection, Sacramento, CA

Carey Sommer:  High School graduate through Courageous Connection

Jetaine Hart: Former CCAI Foster Youth Intern and current Educational Mentor for Foster Youth at Alameda County Office of Education, Foster Youth Services